CINCINNATI — There’s one statistic the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament can brag about over the bigger stop that’s always next on the tour, the U.S. Open in New York City.
The number of volunteers.
The event across from Kings Island uses more volunteers than any tournament in North or South America, according to the tournament’s director of volunteers, Mary Conner.
This year, they came from 29 states and four countries, Conner said. The youngest volunteer is a 12-year-old ball girl, and the oldest is a 91-year-old committee chairperson who helps with hospitality.
More than 1,300 people volunteer in 29 areas, ranging from drivers who pick up the players at the airport to ushers who help guests find their seats. Each year, more than 1,000 come back year after year and many have served for decades.
Conner brings all of them together a few weeks before the tournament for a pep talk and a reminder about their mission.
“We pride ourselves in trying to make an experience for every single fan that comes to the tournament,” Conner said. “That’s the challenge I give to every volunteer is to make a difference in someone’s experience here in the tournament.”
Conner started out as a volunteer in 1999 and became director in 2008. Conner often tells the volunteers they are the heart and soul of the tournament. But some of her committee chair people believe Conner is the reason the tournament is such a success.
“The thing about Mary, she is awesome,” said Charlie Baglan, co-chair of the photography committee, who drives from Frankfort, Kentucky to take part.
“She cares about this tournament and it’s amazing the things she has her hands on,” Baglan said.
Baglan’s co-chair, Tony Wagner, a retired Procter and Gamble engineer, believes Conner is so loved and respected because she makes every person feel like they’re important.
“The single most telling quality about Mary is caring,” Wagner said. “She cares very much about this tournament. She cares about the volunteers.”
“If this tournament can’t make a volunteer feel valued, then we’re not doing our job,” Conner said. “The important thing is to listen to them but to also appreciate what they do for this event.”
Conner said the money they save by utilizing volunteers instead of contractors has allowed the tournament to donate more than 11-million dollars to charity.
“We feel fortunate that we’re in an area where people want to give back and that the job they do is critical to the success of this event,” Conner said.
Conner works year-round and says the hardest thing for her is getting through the last day. She brings all of her committee chairs together for a celebratory toast, which has become an annual tradition.
“I think they take bets if I’m going to cry or not,” Conner said. “It’s just because I know the commitment level of our volunteers is each and every year and we have immense pride in what we do.”
Conner said she is always looking for more energetic volunteers. Sign-ups on their website open April 1, 2023. Volunteers get free food and a pair of tickets to one session. They can earn additional tickets and other prizes.
“Volunteers are the heart and soul of this tournament,” Conner said.
