Official Spotlight: Skip Trapp

 

A: I started playing tennis at six years old when my parents joined an adult beginner class and I wanted to play too. I was an all-state player for Evansville Memorial and had Midwest rankings. I went on to play tennis in college at Murray State University and University of Southern Indiana. I was a full-time tennis professional in  Chicago for 23 years. 

 

After moving back to Evansville, I became the boys tennis coach at Evansville Central. The following year I became a full time business teacher at Evansville Harrison, and I am the head boys and girls tennis coach. I teach tennis part time at the Evansville Tennis Center and at Rolling Hills Country Club in the summer. 

 

A: I began officiating when the Evansville Tennis Center needed officials for their Midwest and National tournaments. Soon after, I began working in Indianapolis and other areas in the Midwest and in Kentucky. 

 

A: The most rewarding part is seeing players develop their skills and sportsmanship in the juniors. 

 

A: I have officiated in the Boys National in Kalamazoo, the Girls National Indoor, National Level 3, Midwest Closed and CITA (Central Indiana Tennis Association) qualifier, as well as Midwest Level 1,2,3,4 tournaments. 

 

A: The most challenging part can be the parents and players who don't understand the rules and question rules. 

 

A: I would encourage tennis players to become officials to meet new people, be involved in competition and get some exercise. 

 

A: A misconception is that club players have their own "rules" or ways of playing that are incorrect. Some players prefer to play their own way, which is not following the rules. 

 

A: Some of the best times for officiating are bigger tournaments that use lots of officials and officials from different areas. These situations help officials learn from different experiences or from more experienced officials.