Ron Violette, line umpire
Violette Family Association
8/26/2009
Author: David A. Violette VFA# 621, David@Violette.com
Contact: Ron Violette VFA# 351, rviolette@hotmail.com
Keywords: Ron Violette, line umpire
Description: Watch for Ron Violette VFA#351, who will be a Line Umpire at the US Open Tennis tournament
Ron Violette, VFA #351, will be Line Umpire at the USOpen this year
If you are watching the US Tennis Open in late August-early September 2009 look for Ron Violette of Concord NC. He will not only be there, he will be a Line Umpire! Ron has been interested in tennis for many years, having started officiating in junior tournaments in Memphis TN in 1980. He officiated at the USOpen from 1983 to 1994 and then got out of officiating totally in 1994. He returned to officiating several years ago, after he retired, and worked the Open last year again.
Ron got into tennis officiating when he saw an ad for tennis officials about 1980. Since he had officiated basketball, baseball, and volleyball he thought he would try tennis. He attended a training session, and was put to work at the US National Indoor Tournament.
Tennis has a Chair Umpire, who calls the score and is in total control of the match. There is also a Line Umpire who is positioned on the line and signals if the ball is in or out. Both positions require a knowledge of the rules of tennis, must pass tests, and must have good recommendations by trained evaluators.
The USTA offers free clinics throughout the US at the beginning of each year. Officials are tested, taught, and certified through these clinics which are required for certification and open to anyone who has an interest. There are mentoring programs for new officials and as you gain experience your certification level will hopefully rise. Certain grades from evaluations earn the official the right to officiate in higher level tournaments.
Ron worked as a Line Umpire for the Davis Cup in Atlanta in 1984. John McEnroe has yelled at him a few times! He also worked the finals in New Haven the last two years. A special event was when he chaired an exhibition match between John McEnroe and Pete Sampras in Raleigh NC a couple of years ago.
Ron really enjoys chairing college matches such as the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament and the Southeastern Conference Tournament.