What do they do at other USTA League Sectional Championships?

[Jack the Hack]

I went to Sectional Championship last year with my USTA League team for the first time. During last year's tournament weekend, the USTA had a celebratory party night for all of the teams and their guests. This evening included a cocktail and snacks reception, followed by a dinner with a guest speaker, door prizes, and a dance. The cost of the dinner was extra, and I think the tickets were something like $30 per person. Each team was issued a certain number of tickets, and the tournament fee was basically built into ticket fee. I bought two tickets last year, and my wife, who is not a tennis player, came to this dinner and we really had a good time... which made getting to the Sectional championship even better.

Miraculously, my team managed to stay pretty much intact and we made the Sectional Championship again this year. However, I was disappointed to find out that they are having a cocktail and snacks reception with some door prizes, but there is not going to be any dinner or any other activity. The team fee is still $300 though...

It seems to me like the USTA in my section is cutting back and getting cheap on what should be a great event, lowering the value we've seen in years past. However, since this is only my second time at Sectionals, I'm not sure if this is normal... or what other sections do to celebrate the Sectional tournament. Therefore, the thread...

What does your section do for the USTA League Sectional Championship? Is it just a tournament, or do they have other activities to make it fun?

 

[Cruzer]

In Norcal there is no team fee to play in the sectional playoffs but then there are no receptions or dinners given when you get there either.

 

[Jack the Hack]

OK, I just spoke with my captain and got a little more information.

Last year, the team fee for playing in Sectionals was $250, and that included 12 tickets to the cocktail reception and celebration dinner, plus t-shirts for all participants. He basically sold the tickets to each of us to recoup the entry fee that he put up.

This year, the team registration fee is $300, and it includes a cocktail reception... but no dinner. I'm not sure if there will be any other goodies like t-shirts this year, but we were also irked to find out our first round match is currently scheduled to be played at some local high school courts that are in HORRIBLE shape. When my captain found this out, he complained to the league coordinator, who visited the courts and agreed that they were really, really bad. At this point, the matches start on Friday, and we still don't know where we are playing for sure. My captain also passed along our complaint that the fee had gone up but the service had gone down, but he was told that was just the way it was.

Anyway, I am really curious...

Do other Sections charge a large team fee like this to play in the playoffs? If so, how much and what does it cover?

 

[AP328]

OK, I just spoke with my captain and got a little more information.

Last year, the team fee for playing in Sectionals was $250, and that included 12 tickets to the cocktail reception and celebration dinner, plus t-shirts for all participants. He basically sold the tickets to each of us to recoup the entry fee that he put up.

This year, the team registration fee is $300, and it includes a cocktail reception... but no dinner. I'm not sure if there will be any other goodies like t-shirts this year, but we were also irked to find out our first round match is currently scheduled to be played at some local high school courts that are in HORRIBLE shape. When my captain found this out, he complained to the league coordinator, who visited the courts and agreed that they were really, really bad. At this point, the matches start on Friday, and we still don't know where we are playing for sure. My captain also passed along our complaint that the fee had gone up but the service had gone down, but he was told that was just the way it was.

Anyway, I am really curious...

Do other Sections charge a large team fee like this to play in the playoffs? If so, how much and what does it cover?

We just finished Sectionals here (MV). I think our captain said the fee was $200. I know we got t-shirts, not sure what else. There was a player party, no dinner, light snacks.