Dick Squires releases promotional video on how to play the game

Though Richard C. (Dick) Squires was a fine player, winning the Men’s title in 1966 and later adding two Men’s 45+ titles, he made his mark on the game as an outstanding promoter who helped take it on a growth spurt never seen before or since. When Life Magazine put paddle on the cover of a 1967 magazine, you could sense that something was about to happen in terms of the game becoming the “in thing.” What the sport needed, however, was a flamboyant advocate and showman who could lead the growth and become a catalyst for opening new frontiers. Squires did exactly that and broke a few eggs along the way. “Mr. Paddle” wrote about the game, published books on the game, produced instruction films about the game, built courts, endorsed attire, conducted clinics and found sponsors for an exciting new tournament that CBS Sports televised for its Sports Spectacular show. He al[...]

Diane Rinaldi retires as Executive Director (1981 -1985)

Diane was credited with re-focusing the APTA after the Passport sponsorship era ended and, in 1987, establishing and organizing the new office in Upper Montclair, NJ. She updated many of the Board procedures to reflect the constantly changing cast of volunteers from a rapidly expanding paddle world.

Jim McCready hired as Executive Director (1985-1988)

Since 1982, Jim had served as Region I’s APTA President, and was the pro at the Montclair Golf Club. He had become an APPTA instructor in 1977, and was a member of their Pro Advisory Board. Jim had a top 10 ranking in 1981.

Richard R. Warren elected FMTC President (1985-1987)

Fox Meadow Tennis Club hosts Women’s President’s Cup

APTA Annual Business and Board Meetings – Much discussion on dues

Roger T. Cole elected APTA President (1986-1988)

National Championships

The men’s and women’s National Championships culminated at the Fox Meadow Tennis Club in Scarsdale, NY, and crowned new champions in both divisions. Sunny skies and warm temperatures drew large weekend crowds and spurred on competitors. The women's tourney produced the popular team of Pat Butterfield and Diane Tucker as champions. In the men’s draw, the new and legitimate team of Hank Irvine and Greg Moore soundly and artistically beat the defending champions Baird and Maier. Over six hundred spectators shared the surprise as Moore and Irvine stayed even, and then won the big points for the first set. Behind 1-3 in the second, they flicked the switch and won eleven of twelve games to storm onto the popular straight set victory 6-3, 6-3, 6-1. Source: Platform Tennis News, April 1986 Greg Moore in action in the final of the Men’s Nationals at Fox Meadow Tennis Clu[...]

APTA looks at membership profile

Walter J. Stoessel, (1920-1986)

Stoessel was the former Ambassador to both the Soviet Union and Poland, and was responsible for the paddle courts built at both Embassies. In 1982, he had been appointed Deputy Secretary of State.