Meet Steve Pekich

SYRACUSE, NY, October 8, 2009

Each month we will feature an interview with someone from the tennis community. This month we have chosen Steve Pekich.

Steve Pekich's name is synonymous with tennis here in CNY for many years. If you have played in a USTA, interclub or tennis mixer, chances are pretty good that he has had a part in organizing the event! Here is your chance to learn more about this CNY tennis icon!!

CNYTA: How long have you played tennis?
STEVE: SINCE I WAS A TEENAGER.

CNYTA: Where did you start?
STEVE: MY HOME TOWN OF GRAND HAVEN, MI

CNYTA: What made you choose tennis as a career?
STEVE: I TOOK A TEACHING COURSE WITH DENNIS VANDERMEER AND DISCOVERED I LIKED TEACHING AND WAS GOOD AT IT.

CNYTA: What is your involvement and responsibilities with USTA Eastern and locally?
STEVE: I AM ON THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THAT ASSOCIATION REPRESENTING THIS, WESTERN, REGION. IT GOES FROM SYRACUSE, BINGHAMTON, WATERTOWN AND POINTS WEST INCLUDING BUFFALO, ROCHESTER, ITHACA, ELMIRA AND OTHER AREAS. IN ADDITION I AM ON SOME OF THE COMMITTEES ANCILLARY TO USTA/EASTERN, INCLUDING LEAGUE COMMITTEE AND CHARTER AND BYLAWS. LOCALLY, I AM THE LEAGUE COORDINATOR FOR MEN AND MIXED DOUBLES. I AM ALSO MENS COORDINATOR FOR TACNY AND WINTER INTERCLUB.

CNYTA: What do you like most about your job?
STEVE: I enjoy helping people learn and play the game of tennis and helping them to have fun while they are doing that.

CNYTA: What do you like to do when you aren't on or near a tennis court?
STEVE: MY SECOND SPORT IS CROSS COUNTRY SKIING AND I HAVE DONE SEVERAL OF THE WORLD RACES. MY SUMMER LEISURE SPORT IS CYCLING. OF COURSE, I CAN'T SIT STILL.

CNYTA: What goals do you have for tennis in CNY this year?
STEVE: TO MAKE VOLUNTEERS MORE ACTIVE IN THE STATED GOALS OF USTA EASTERN--IN LEAGUES, QUICKSTART, JUNIOR TEAM TENNIS AND ANY OTHER TENNIS ACTIVITY. TENNIS IS THE FASTEST GROWING SPORT IN THE COUNTRY AND IT CAN GROW FASTER.

CNYTA: What do you see yourself doing in 10 years?
STEVE: TENNIS!

Look for our featured person next month!