A calculated approach: Ben Coltharp ready to guide USTA Missouri forward

It’s probably too simplistic to say there are only two types of leaders, but most people do fall into one of two categories: a natural-born leader or someone who develops leadership skills.

Ben Coltharp, the new executive director of USTA Missouri, fits both categories.

Coltharp credited his father for developing his leadership skills.

“My dad was an administrator in education for about 40 years,” he said. “We would talk about different school administration things, and I would learn from him. I guess my leadership would be more about nurture. But I think there’s probably also a little bit that I was born with.”

Coltharp demonstrates leadership as a math teacher and the boys’ and girls’ tennis head coach at Joplin High School. He teaches Algebra II and geometry. He said he uses the basic principles of geometry in tennis.

“I like to think that I include geometry in my tennis strategies,” Coltharp said. “Maybe that’s something that just clicks with me, but it might be a little tougher to actually put it into words when I’m coaching students. I would like to say that I include words like ‘hypotenuse’ and ‘Pythagorean theorem.’ But that’s probably not the case.

“At the end of the day, especially when it comes to doubles, geometry comes into play. Let’s say I’m the net player. I need to step in a little bit more in the middle to cut off that angle. So I guess, indirectly, I’m teaching geometry in tennis.”

Expanding the Game

Combining tennis and math is just one example of Coltharp’s work. His new role with USTA Missouri combines two things he’s most passionate about: tennis and leadership. He described leadership as managing, organizing and helping people.

When Sean Terry, USTA Missouri president, approached him about the open executive director position, Coltharp said he was intrigued because it seemed like a good fit. Coltharp steps into the role previously held by Leslie Echols, who made major strides in the district the past four years.

“I’m getting my feet wet, making sure that all the plates are spinning; making sure we have our adult leagues going, tournaments are going, things of that nature,” Coltharp said. “But at the same point, once I get a little bit more comfortable in the position, we can start trying to create and promote new ideas.