2024 Information
Welcome!
As the Tournament Director, I extend a warm welcome on behalf of Kalamazoo College, Western Michigan University, and the hundreds of members of this year’s Tournament Committees. We hope your visit to Kalamazoo will be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
Congratulations on being one of the top tennis players in your age division in the United States. You have worked hard to earn the right to play in the USTA National Championships, and you deserve to have a tournament conducted for you in a professional manner. We will run a tournament that is fair to all competitors. In return, we expect that you will conduct yourself in a professional manner, adhering to proper and courteous standards of decorum. Have fun, play hard, and good luck to each of you.
Mark Riley • Tournament Director
A WORD FROM THE REFEREE ... The modern game of tennis and the rules by which it is played have changed little since its inception in early nineteenth century England. In 1989, Colonel Nick Powel wrote “The Code”. This was not a set of rules of the game, but rather a set of standards of fair play, an attitude if you will, by which all competitors should abide. It is in that context that I would remind everyone who is involved in this national championship to see their role as well. Parents, relatives, friends, and coaches should see themselves as integral parts of this event and act according to the spirit if not the letter of “The Code”. Each person has a specific but different role in completing this event successfully. Players play matches, parents parent, coaches coach, and officials officiate. If everyone fulfills their specific role as they should (according to “The Code”), we will have a successful team effort in completing this event.
As the referee I am ultimately responsible for all outcomes in this tournament. If any coach, professional, or parent observes anything which, after careful thought, disturbs you, then take it up at once with me directly or one of the deputy referees who represent me (chair and line umpires are prohibited from interacting with the public). Be assured that I will use my best judgment in handling all situations and will attempt, above all, to be fair and correct in every decision I make insofar as it is humanly possible. Please enjoy your time here.
Darrell Davies • Referee
• 2024 Player Selections
Boys' 18's Selected Participants
Boys' 16's Selected Participants
• Dress Code for the Nats
All players are required to wear appropriate tennis attire and dress in a manner consistent with being a participant in “The Nationals.”
• Tournament Balls
Wilson US Open Extra Duty balls are the official tournament ball.
• YourGameFace.com
Photography Services - For the 16th year, YourGameFace will be the official photographers for the National Championships in Kalamazoo. YourGameFace will be offering a Digital Set of Match Photos by request. Let YourGameFace capture this moment in your player's tennis history! Follow yourgameface on Instagram for a sample of their work.
Photography packages are $150 for a digital set of action photos (typically 200-300 photos).
4 WAYS TO SIGN UP FOR DIGITAL ACTION PHOTOS:
1. Click this online Order Form - https://square.link/u/2YedPFY1
2. Text YourGameFace cell phone: 214-543-5437
3. Visit the YourGameFace tent at Stowe Stadium.
4. Scan this QR code with your phone camera:
• Solinco
Products include premium tennis strings, racquets, grips, apparel and other accessories.
• Racquet Stringing Available
Stringing will be provided by Solinco and available for players at Stowe Stadium. The Stringers will be located in the Balch Theater Lobby (just up the steps from Stowe Stadium). The Solinco information tent will be located in Stowe Stadium Parking Lot and will be set-up mid-afternoon on Wednesday, July 31 throughout the tournament.
• Used Tennis Balls
Used tennis balls are available at the main ticket booth at Stowe Stadium beginning Sunday, August 4 for $5/dozen.
Road Construction
Due to construction, Academy St. is closed from Catherine to Stadium Drive. Traffic will head east-bound down Academy St. Access to West Main will be available north-bound only on Catherine St. and Acker Lane. Signage will be posted.
Note: There is considerable road construction in and around Kalamazoo every summer. Be aware of delays!
• Kalamazoo College Minors on Campus Policy
Kalamazoo College has a strict Minor on Campus Policy that needs to be reviewed and adheared to while minors are visiting campus. Please review the policy by visiting: https://titleix.kzoo.edu/minors-policy/
Practice Courts - see list below and map above
*Fees will apply for all indoor courts listed below other than Markin Racquet Center. Call for availability and reservations at the YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo locations: (269) 345-9622.
Stowe Stadium Practice Courts
Practice times will be scheduled for the Stowe Stadium courts as follows:
- Wednesday, July 31: Noon - 6 pm
- Thursday, August 1: 8 am - 6 pm
Practice courts guidelines are as follows:
- Must be reserved in person at the Stowe Tower to allow all participants an equal opportunity at reserving court time – no telephone reservations will be taken.
- Reservations can be made by player, parent/guardian or coach.
- Reservations may be made at the Stowe Stadium Tower on a first come - first served basis.
- Players may reserve a court, understanding that they may be required to share a court (1/2 court per reservation).
- Practice time blocks are for one hour per day.
- If vacant courts are available they will be assigned on a standby basis, first come - first served.
- Coaches may hit with a player, but will be asked to share a court if needed. In case of rain, Stowe Stadium reservations are cancelled.
No reservations for WMU courts. WMU courts are on a first come - first served basis. WMU courts will be open as follows:
- Wednesday, July 31: 8 am - 8 pm
- Thursday, August 1: 8 am - 8 pm
Markin Indoor Warm-Up Courts
During the tournament, the indoor courts at Markin Racquet Center are used as warm-up for players with scheduled matches. The courts are available on a first come – first served basis. Players with scheduled matches will be given priority.
- The courts will be open from 8:00 am until 6:00 pm. Players are expected to share and clean up after themselves.
Markin Indoor Warm-Up Court rules are as follows:
• Walk in and sign in - no advance sign-up for court time. Courts should be utilized with four players per court.
• General rules:
- Players will have at least a half hour to warm up before a match
- Players may play until they are bumped. It is highly unlikely that anyone will wait more that a half hour; generally they will be able to get right on court
The YMCA of Greater Kalamazoo (both Maple and Portage branches) are available for use by players with tournament ID. Indoor courts are available to all tournament players for $10 per hour at both Maple and Portage branches.
Warm up partner available
Please contact Julian Bilbao - 916-806-3648
Water and Ice
For your information, water is available on all courts at both tournament locations, bring your own water cooler and ice if you want it. If you'll be using the local practice courts, bring your own cooler with water, as most don't have fountains.
For more information on Practice Courts, see the map and click on the Practice Courts icon.
• Trainers, Doctors and Dentists
Trainers, Doctors and Dentists will provide continual medical coverage throughout the entire tournament. Trainers will be on duty an hour before the first match until the finish of the last match each day. At Stowe Stadium, trainers are located at the court level of the Tower and will call for a tournament doctor if necessary. Trainers will be at or near the tournament tent at WMU Sorensen Courts. In case of an emergency, any Tower Official will help contact a tournament physician. If you need to withdraw from the Tournament for medical reasons, you must come to the Tower to have the Official Referee sign your withdrawal form. Failure to do so will result in 5 suspension points.
The prescribed USTA “Emergency Care Guidelines” will be followed and can be found in the 2022 publication of “Friend at Court” (pages 150-155).
Notes from Athletic Trainers ... As many of you are aware, it can get hot and humid here in August. An athlete can lose approximately 3/4 of a gallon of fluid per hour of exercise. In order to prevent dehydration/heat illness and maintain optimum performance levels, replacing that fluid is imperative. Below are some guidelines and tips that you can follow to help you stay hydrated and stay “in the game”. Should you have any questions or concerns, stop by the Athletic Training Room at court level of the Tower at Stowe Stadium.
Effects of Dehydration
• 1% to 2% of body weight decrease can hinder physiological function, which negatively affects performance
• 3% and above of body weight decrease can further negatively affect performance and increase your risk of exertional heat illness (heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke)
Warning Signs of Dehydration
• Thirst • Muscle Cramps • Fatigue • Loss of Performance • Vomiting • Irritability
Preventing Dehydration/Heat Illness
Before Exercise:
• Drink at least 17-20 oz. of fluid 2-3 hours prior to activity
• Drink 7-10 oz. of fluid 20 minutes prior to activity
During Exercise:
• Drink 7-10 oz. of fluid every 10-15 minutes
• If activity lasts longer than 45 minutes, fluid replacement should include a sports drink
After Exercise:
• Drink at least 20 oz. of fluid per pound of weight loss within 2 hours. The fluid should contain water, carbohydrates and electrolytes
