USTA & NRPA name new P&R Tennis Coordinator.

The United States Tennis Association and the National Recreation and Park Association announced that Marcia Bach has been named to the newly created position of Park and Recreation Tennis Coordinator. Bach's responsibilities will include managing a broad range of services related to the USTA and NRPA national relationship to benefit park and recreation agencies and the 17 USTA Section professionals, administrators and volunteers who provide tennis programs and manage facilities in communities across the United States. "I am very excited to embrace this new role with the USTA and NRPA to help grow the game"" said Bach. "Using my national connections to enhance community tennis opportunities in park and recreation facilities across the country is an ideal blend of my personal and professional passions." Bach will focus on professional education and training, technical assistance, public policy and public visibility.

Most recently, Bach served as Executive Director of the USTA Northern Section. She built strong relationships in the tennis community, especially with numerous park and recreation departments. In her 16 years as Executive Director, she oversaw programs and initiatives that grew USTA Northern membership from approximately 4,000 to 14,000, and developed programs and revenue opportunities that increased the Section's budget from an estimated $100,000 to $1.5 million According to the USTA's 2002 U.S. Tennis Participation Study, the Northern Section has over 690,000 tennis players and is ranked third among the 17 sections by percentage of people who play tennis in the section. "Marcia brings tremendous park and recreation insight and experience to her new role," said Kurt Kamperman, Community Tennis chief executive of USTA. "She will use her USTA section experience to coordinate activities, services and resources on a national level that will make a difference on the local tennis scene across the country."

Prior to her role as Executive Director, Bach served as Recreation Supervisor and then Assistant Director of Bloomington Parks and Recreation, where she served the 85,000 residents of the City of Bloomington, Minn., for 17 years by providing some of the finest recreation programs and facilities in the region.

"Optimizing collaboration between the USTA and NRPA will be a key element in Marcia's position," said NRPA National Partnerships Director Kathy J. Spangler. "She will certainly raise the caliber of local tennis opportunities and results via her efforts at the national level."

Bach will be based out of the Minnesota Recreation and Park Association offices in Minneapolis. She can be reached at [e-mail] or 612-825-2200, ext. 109.