USTA NAMES SUZIE HEIDEMAN OF EAST RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL TO THE 2015 NO-CUT COACH ALL-STAR TEAM

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., October 19, 2015 – The United States Tennis Association (USTA) today announced the 2015 No-Cut Coach All-Star Team, which includes Suzie Heideman of East Ridge High School in Woodbury, Minn. The No-Cut Coach All-Star Team recognizes 12 exceptional middle and high school coaches throughout the nation who implement a “no-cut” policy which welcomes all interested students to be a part of their school’s tennis team.

Heideman, a high school tennis coach for 12 seasons, is currently coach of the varsity boys’ team at East Ridge. Entering her fifth season at East Ridge, the team’s numbers have increased from 45 boys in 2012 to 81 in 2015. For the past two years, the team has made it to Boys’ State, finishing third in 2014 and as consolation champions in 2015.

Heideman was named Coach of the Year by the Minnesota State High School League in 2014. While coaching at Greendale High School (Milwaukee, Wisc.) in 2005, her team won the State Championship earing Heideman 2005 Coach of the Year in Wisconsin by the Coaches Association. In 2002, her family was named USTA Northern Tennis Family of the Year.

“Tennis has always been an important part of my life, where I’ve met so many great people,” said Heideman. “My goal is for my players to have positive team experiences on and off the court, and for them to continue to love the game of tennis, beyond high school! Many of my former players are now coaching or teaching tennis, which is probably what I’m most proud of because they are sharing their love for the game with others!”

The No-Cut Coach All-Star Team was established in 2013 to recognize a select group of coaches nationwide for their special achievements in offering a “No-Cut Tennis” policy. Coaches are nominated by their respective USTA Section.

“These coaches play a critical role not only in the development of student-athletes throughout the year, but the success of No-Cut Tennis and the sport of tennis as a whole,” said Glenn Arrington, Director, USTA High School Tennis. “We are extremely proud of these coaches as they foster inclusion and continue to help shape and mold today’s youth into well-rounded student athletes.”

Since 2006, more than 4,000 tennis coaches nationwide have made a commitment to offering a no-cut policy, with some programs including more than 100 team members on a high school team. The coaches of these teams serve as positive role models and make a difference by spending the extra time and effort to ensure that young players experience the fun and fulfillment of playing tennis and participating in a school sport.

To qualify for the USTA No-Cut All-Star Team, coaches must be currently implementing a no-cut policy on their tennis teams, currently registered with the USTA as a “no-cut” coach, and coaching tennis for a minimum of five years.

The 2015 No-Cut Coach All-Star Team includes:

• Don Ackerly – Valhalla High School, El Cajon, Calif.

· Doug Chapman – Somerset-Berkley Regional High School, Somerset, Mass.

· Teresa Cunningham – Winter Park High School, Winter Park, Fla.

· Ted Dasler – Lakeland High School, Minocqua, Wis.

· Jeanie Duncan – Lincoln High School, Lincoln, Calif.

· Danny Espinosa – Rivera Early College High School, Brownsville, Texas

· Debra Gable – Dallastown High School, Dallastown, Pa.

· Suzie Heideman – East Ridge High School, Woodbury, Minn.

· Lisa O’Hanahan – Carl Junction High School, Carl Junction, Mo.

· Paul Seegraves – Piggott High School, Piggot, Ark.

· Donna Swanson – Moapa Valley Empowerment High School, Overton, Nev.

· Wendy Thomas – La Cueva High School, Albuquerque, N.M.

To register as a no-cut coach or to learn more about the program and free registration incentives, visit www.usta.com/no-cut.

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The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level -- from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization with more than 715,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world, and launched the Emirates Airline US Open Series, linking eight summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 90 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S. and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA’s philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships and helps under-resourced youth and individuals with disabilities, and supports wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans and their families. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com, “like” the official Facebook page, facebook.com/usta, or follow @usta on Twitter.