Summer Verhoeven has been the Executive Director of USTA NorCal since December of 2021. Her new position is the culmination of 18 years with the organization, in which she most recently served as Manager of Junior Play and Adult Tournaments. Verhoeven has also been a coach for high performing juniors and played Division 1 college tennis at Boise State University.
In her new role as Executive Director, Verhoeven has chosen to lead USTA NorCal at a time of unique challenges brought on by the pandemic.
1.How were you introduced to tennis?
I come from what you would call a tennis family. My grandparents would take their nine children to Morley Field in San Diego religiously to hang out at the park and play tennis. This tradition continued with the next generation and this is when I began to play tennis at a very young age. Several of my best childhood memories come from spending time with my family at the tennis courts at Morley Field.
2.Tell us about your roles and responsibilities as Executive Director of USTA Norcal?
Well, that is a pretty big question. The way I see it, to be an effective leader of USTA NorCal, there really isn’t anything I am not directly or indirectly overseeing or taking responsibility for. It is an all-encompassing position. After being in my previous positions at USTA NorCal for the last 18 years, I will say, the best part of being in my new position is getting out to the events and seeing everyone playing.
3.USTA NorCal’s mission is to “promote and develop the growth of tennis”. What are some of the challenges facing USTA NorCal right now?
Some of the biggest challenges are steering USTA NorCal safely out of the pandemic. It has impacted so many people in so many ways. First, we must bring back operations to the level prior to the pandemic. Next, we have to open our offices, bring back the staff to an in-person work model and get everyone excited about tennis again in a safe manner. And then we also need to focus on finding effective ways to reconnect and continually engage with our providers and players again.
4.What are some of USTA NorCal’s main goals post-pandemic?
USTA NorCal is currently creating a strategic plan that is focusing on not only continuing to bring tennis to the existing community, but also to all of the new and returning players who picked up tennis during the pandemic. The number of tennis players playing right now is skyrocketing, so we want to build off of this momentum.
5.What are your other interests?
I love to spend time with my family. We spend a lot of time together traveling and playing sports. I also love cooking and spending time gardening, camping and going to the movies.