The USTA Middle States Member Spotlight presented by Cruise Control is a showcase of members from around the section who are selfless promoters of the game of tennis. It is designed to recognize such individuals so that their efforts do not go unnoticed. Each member who is chosen to have the spotlight cast upon their achievements receives a complimentary gift from Cruise Control.
Sue McLaughlin picked up a tennis racquet for the first time nearly 50 years ago in the Western Pennsylvania town of Sharon. A half century later, she hasn’t put one down. McLaughlin, like hundreds of other youngsters from the small town located on the Ohio border, was taught tennis on the public courts of Buhl Farm Park. However, what makes McLaughlin truly unique is that she hasn’t left the courts she grew up on; in fact, they are where she is helping many Shenango Valley residents start their own tennis journey.
McLaughlin didn’t play competitive tennis as a child, but stayed connected to the sport while in college, as a member of an intramural tennis team at Pennsylvania State University. "It was a great workout in a short amount of time and an even greater avenue to have fun and meet people on campus," McLaughlin said.
After college, McLaughlin returned to Sharon and the courts at Buhl Farm Park serving as Director of Tennis. For the past 30 years, she has taught free lessons to players as young as five and as old as 85. She believes she is where she is today thanks in part to the free lessons she received at the park and vows to keep lessons free for both children and adults.
Although she once competed in USTA tournaments and USTA Leagues, McLaughlin, a retired guidance counselor from the Sharon City School District, now sticks to teaching tennis. Currently, she spends five to six hours a day on court, six days a week. "The last thing I want to do is get injured and not be able to teach," said McLaughlin. "At 55, I don’t bounce back like I used to." 
Additionally at Sharon High School, McLaughlin served as head coach of both the boys and girls Varsity teams for 28 years. Despite numerous championship teams and players, McLaughlin may have left a greater impact on the program as a USTA High School No- Cut coach.
"Some seasons having 36 players practicing on four courts proved to be a challenge," McLaughlin said. "But through creativity we were able to keep everyone busy and productive at the same time."
According to McLaughlin this philosophy paid dividends for the program in that there were several players she could have cut as freshman, who ultimately rose to the top of the team by the time they were seniors.
"If is an athlete is willing to give 100 percent to the team than they certainly deserve to part of it," noted McLaughlin. "I never regretted that decision."
A lifetime member of the USTA, McLaughlin strongly believes the organization has made the sport she loves attractive to people of all ages and backgrounds. Thanks to the dedication and efforts of McLaughlin tennis at Buhl Farm Park is looking pretty good too.
Boasting more than 30,000 members, USTA Middle States takes pride in the wonderful, talented and passionate individuals who call the USTA MS section home. Whether you are an active tennis player, an advocate, coach or just a fan of the game – we all have on thing in common – a love for the sport of tennis.
USTA Middle States would like to showcase the accomplishments of our members in a new Web site feature titled, “USTA Middle States Member Spotlight.”
Please follow the link below and answer a few quick questions. Tell us about your involvement in tennis and why you are passionate about the game. One member will be chosen to receive a USTA Middle States gift, a certificate of appreciation and recognition on the USTA Middle States Web site as the “Member Spotlight.”
The USTA Middle States Member Spotlight presented by Cruise Control program is open to any adult or junior Middle States resident with a current USTA membership. One entry per person. A member may only win one time per year. Click here for more.
