The Juniors “Spirit of the Game” Award Is Presented to Mary Emma Guldi

One of Radley Run’s future stars shone brightly at the 2014 Junior Nationals

While demonstrating the good sportsmanship, integrity and respect that goes with the “Spirit of the Game” honor, this award is so special because paddle is a game where good sportsmanship is so keenly recognized. Independent but commanders were on the lookout for exemplary behavior during the tournament and, at the end of the day, the tournament committee made their decision.

The winner of this year’s “Spirit of the Game” Award is ten-year-old Mary Emma Guldi. A fifth grader at St. Agnes in West Chester, Mary Emma has played platform tennis at Radley Run for about three years.

Mary Emma lost her partner when the tournament date was changed, due to an ice storm, but still wanted to be part of the event. She created her own rainbow after the storm by signing on as a junior reporter for the APTA. She thought that being a tournament reporter would be fun, so she and her mother traveled from venue to venue, interviewing players and adults alike.

Mary Emma was lucky enough to interview the President of the APTA, Rob Coster, who drove down from Boston; the APTA Junior Tour Chairman, Steve Caccam from Connecticut; Ann Sheedy, the APTA Executive Director from Pittsburgh; and many of the players throughout the day.

She was a true professional, recording conversations, photographing key moments, and getting consent forms signed. Mary Emma then went home, compiled her notes, and sent in her article long before her deadline. She also took great photos, on and off the court. Her professionalism was impressive. “I thought it would be really fun to go and take pictures and interview people,” she explained. “I don’t think it will be my career. But I may do it a few more times.” Her article and photos can be seen on the APTA website.

Mary Emma was chosen from five nominees, each of who showed great integrity. But her unswerving energy toward her job was above and beyond, and she was very good natured about not playing.

“I was very surprised to get the award. Mrs. Hissey came to our house and presented me with it. I didn’t know about the award until this happened,” Mary Emma explained. “I want to thank them for choosing me, even though I wasn’t playing.”

We want to thank Mary Emma for her dedication to the game, for a superb show of sportsmanship, and for preserving the history of the 2014 Junior Nationals.

Congratulations to Mary Emma Guldi.

Source: Platform Tennis Magazine, Vol. 15, Issue 5 April/May, 2014