Media Excellence Award
Presented annually to an individual or organization in the USTA Southern Section who has most contributed to the game of tennis by disseminating information and promoting the sport via their publication to the general public.
Marc Kaplan Media Excellence Award
Robin Bateman, Racquet Sports Industry, Macon GA
This Tennis Mom did not set out to become an award winning writer, but the joy her daughter received from the game became a source of inspiration for Robin Bateman. A true grassroots advocate, Robin was introduced to tennis through daughter Laney’s School Tennis Program. Laney got involved in Ralleyball and then progressed through Jr. Team Tennis and tournament play. Robin became acquainted with the game and began to serve as Facilities Director at Tattnall Tennis Center in Macon, GA. Due to visual impairment, Robin had never considered taking up the game until the USA 123 program came to her facility. After completing the program, Bateman was hooked and joined a 2.5 USTA League.
An avid writer, Robin began to journal about her newfound enjoyment for the game. In 2006, an encounter with the editor of Racquet Sports Industry Magazine on a plane ride from the USTA Community Development Workshop, changed the future of her writing career. An invitation was extended for Bateman to submit writings and her first submission, “Step Outside the Lines,” was published in the March 2006 edition.
Since then Bateman has published several articles including: Connect with Your Customers, Against the Wall, Kicking it Up, At Ease!, and Blue Chip Investment. In the summer of 2007, RSI appointed Robin as a regular contributing editor in the publication.
She still keeps her grassroots tie through her tennis blog on MaconTennisConnect.org, a website for municipal facilities in Macon. Her fresh perspective encompasses many aspects of the tennis community and keeps Macon and Georgia in the national spotlight.
Other nominees: Mark Lett, The State Newspaper, SC; Serio Qunitana, NBC 17, NC.