Bill Rapp
Nampa
Summary
Creative business, sales and marketing executive with a history of accepting serious challenges and surpassing goals. Naturally develops trusting business relationships that lead to significant financial success. History of effective hiring, staff development and team motivation and appreciation. Experienced leader who is effective, approachable, inspirational, ethical and makes things happen. Combines exceptional listening skills with persistence, professionalism and unrivaled follow up. In the university setting, is proactive with engaging all leadership, cabinet, board, faculty and staff, students and families, Conference Carolinas constituents and community leaders. Understands that developing a culture of trust and accountability will create a healthy work environment and the holistic development of student athletes.
Overview
38
38
years of professional experience
Work History
Founder and Owner
SportsRapp Marketing & Consulting
01.1987 - Current
- Managed one-night professional tennis exhibitions at entertainment venues; have organized exhibitions with Andre Agassi, Monica Seles, John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Anna Kournikova, Pete Sampras, James Blake, the Bryan Brothers and many more top players.
- In 2022, served as exclusive Agent for top-ten World Ranked Major League Pickleball player Lee Whitwell. Whitwell was voted MVP twice in seasons one and two for Major League Pickleball.
- Hired in 2021 by USA Pickleball to develop, market, promote and direct the PNW Regional Pickleball Championships (Gold Ticket Event) in Idaho; drew over 950 players from 32 states. Raised $30 in sponsorshihp.
- Since 1994, negotiated global product production and distribution agreements with Prince Global Sports, Wilson Sporting Goods, Manduka Yoga, Paddletek Pickleball and Pickleball Effect - to successfully take several products to market. Products have sold into 38 countries.
- Served as Vice President, Business Development for OnTheBallSports and NextUpSolution eSports software companies.
- Consult with clubs to hire staff, develop programming, host tennis exhibitions, organize member trips.
- Served as professional consultant for largest tennis court product sales company in Northern California. The company doubled sales the following year,
- Served as expert witness in tennis related lawsuits.
Midwest Territory Sales Manager
ICP Group - California Sports Surfaces
04.2017 - 12.2018
- California Sports Surfaces (CSS), as part of ICP Group, is the leading supplier of such prestigious sports brands as DecoTurf, Plexicushion Prestige, Rebound Ace and Plexitrac. These world-renowned brands supply the US Open, the Australian Open, BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells, CA), the Laver Cup and many other distinguished sporting events globally.
- Served 14 states as Midwest Territory Sales Manager, taking over a declining territory that was without a dedicated Sales Manager for five years. Developed a new company initiative (new customer on-boarding process) while working successfully to regain lost sales.
- Selected by CSS leadership to additionally take on the role of Professional Tennis Event Advisor and utilize my professional relationships to successfully maintain existing partnerships with visible, high-value professional tournaments in an aggressive, highly competitive marketplace.
- Won new major customers including University of Minnesota, University of Michigan and the Idaho School District Council (100+ school districts).
- The University of Michigan project was named the 2018 Outdoor Facility of the Year by the American Sports Builders Association (ASBA).
- Established strong and trusting relationships with key clients, boosting customer retention rates.
- Monitored competitor activities within the territory, adjusting sales strategies as needed to maintain a competitive edge.
Vice President and Athletic Director
Northwest Nazarene University
10.2012 - 12.2014
- Led and managed a 15-sport, NCAA II athletic program with 40 coaches and staff and a $4.2m budget.
- Shared a new vision and mission with coaches and staff; focused on success in academics, excellence in recruitment, coaching and student-athlete retention - and campus wide, cross-departmental partnerships.
- Cultivated strong relationships with university leadership, coaches, student-athletes, professors, financial aid office and grounds keepers - which led to strong collaboration trust and positive outcomes with these co-workers.
- Emphasized professional development, managing individual sport budgets and in coaches developing specific planning for on court/field success.
- Stayed in touch frequently with our Great Northwest Athletic Conference Commissioner, while also communicating with all of the Athletic Directors in our conference. Listening and learning are invaluable.
- Signed three-year exclusive, all-sport partnership with NIKE.
- Worked with university leadership to fully fund operational budgets for all 15 sports.
- Developed unique, new fundraising model - including an NNU Athletics Advisory Council (NAAC) comprised of 19 highly successful NNU alumni from all around the USA. In the summer of 2014, hosted inaugural “NNU Athletic Summit” in Lake Tahoe,, CA to begin drafting NNU Athletics first strategic plan. By the second day of the Summit, NAAC members had committed $3.2 million to fund the first three years of the NNU 2025 Plan.
- Drafted and delivered “NNU Athletics 2025 Strategic Plan.” The following program needs were addressed: facilities, personnel, scholarships, nutrition, fitness/weight training, spiritual development, winning, mentoring and fundraising.
Regions Morgan Keegan Championships (ATP World Tour event) and Cellular South Cup (Women’s Professional - WTA event) hosted at The Racquet Club of Memphis
Sharks Sports and Entertainment
01.2008 - 06.2012
- Selected by CEO to negotiate purchase of two professional tennis tournaments, Racquet Club and real estate. Completed multi-million-dollar purchase at less than 70% of ownership’s target price.
- Served as Tournament Director, managing all ATP and WTA player signings.
- Enhanced the business by hiring new Tournament Director, initiating innovative ticket sales programs, securing sponsors and resigning WTA event title sponsor - two years in a row.
- Served in dual role as Tournament Advisor.
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Worked effectively in fast-paced environments.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
SAP Open (Men’s Professional - ATP World Tour event) Tournament Director
Sharks Sports and Entertainment
01.2001 - 01.2012
- Transformed the SAP Open from five-year, 20% annual loss, under the previous management team, to 25% profit margin for more than 10 years; event was profitable every year under new leadership.
- Managed $6m budget, securing world-class headline players with limited budget and consistently delivered a world-class event while remaining under budget.
- Created first professional tournament (in the world) to pre-schedule headline players on specific nights and feature tennis legends in exhibitions on Opening Night; dramatically increasing ticket sales.
- Developed the “Elite Staff Program,” a mutually beneficial program for USPTA tennis teaching professionals and tournament that garnered more than $3.6 million in ticket revenue. Over 14 years, partnered with more than 125 tennis clubs, country clubs and municipal facilities in the Bay Area.
- Invested 11 months and 300+ communications with agent to gain John McEnroe’s commitment to play in doubles main draw (and win his final ATP title #78, with partner Jonas Bjorkman, at age 47); dramatically enhanced ticket sales and event received significant media coverage in 125+ countries.
- Negotiated, closed and renewed SAP’s $1 million+ title sponsorship.
- Spearheaded sales strategies annually to sign sponsorships that significantly impacted revenues; closed more than 20 partnerships over 12 years totaling more than $2.5m (exclusive of SAP title sponsorship).
- Secured innovative player signings that dramatically impacted ticket sales, including “The Indian Express” (Mahesh Bhupathi & Leander Paes), John McEnroe & Jonas Bjorkman; and featured Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and Gael Monfils in several Opening Night Exhibitions.
- Negotiated three-way “Andy Roddick/SAP Open/SAP Ambassador Relationship” and used innovative tactics to ensure competition (other ATP events in Europe) was unable to outbid our less robust player appearance fee budget. This six-year partnership led to hundreds of thousands of dollars in ticket sales, significantly enhanced appearance fee budget; Roddick won three SAP Open titles.
- Selected by ATP World Tour to teach courses for ATP players at ATP University.
- Appointed to serve as HP Pavilion (now named SAP Center) “Safety Committee” Member; led evacuation drills, worked to improve employee safety, prepared for terrorist activity; consistently focused on guest and employee safety initiatives.
Assistant Tournament Director / Director of Sales
Sharks Sports and Entertainment
01.1999 - 01.2001
- Thoroughly analyzed SAP Open’s existing organizational structure and sales/marketing strategy; immediately began development of new business model.
- Negotiated/renegotiated more than 50 contracts, saving more than $700k in expenses in two years.
- Made key staffing changes to improve customer experience, morale and focus on profitability.
- Continued to lead all sales efforts, developing creative and innovative programs to dramatically increase revenues and celebrated first profitable tournament in 6 years.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Northwest Nazarene University
Nampa, IDAssociate of Arts - Behavioral Sciences
Northwest Nazarene University
Nampa, IDSkills
- Networking
- Team Building
- Fundraising
- Mentoring
- Strategic Thinking
- Entrepreneurial and innovative
- Ethics and Integrity
- Contract Negotiation
- Organizational Structuring
- Visionary leadership
Affiliations
- United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) Certified Elite Professional
- USA Pickleball (Member and Tournament Director)
- United States Tennis Association (USTA) Member
- National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA)
Timeline
Midwest Territory Sales Manager
ICP Group - California Sports Surfaces
04.2017 - 12.2018
Vice President and Athletic Director
Northwest Nazarene University
10.2012 - 12.2014
Regions Morgan Keegan Championships (ATP World Tour event) and Cellular South Cup (Women’s Professional - WTA event) hosted at The Racquet Club of Memphis
Sharks Sports and Entertainment
01.2008 - 06.2012
SAP Open (Men’s Professional - ATP World Tour event) Tournament Director
Sharks Sports and Entertainment
01.2001 - 01.2012
Assistant Tournament Director / Director of Sales
Sharks Sports and Entertainment
01.1999 - 01.2001
Founder and Owner
SportsRapp Marketing & Consulting
01.1987 - Current
Associate of Arts - Behavioral Sciences
Northwest Nazarene University
Bachelor of Arts - Social Work
Northwest Nazarene University
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