Web link: http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=23753
Lying in the Name of Jesus
by Phil Naessens
02/18/05
The International Christian Tennis Association completely removed the statements that I accurately reported in the article ‘Is the International Christian Tennis Association a Christian Ministry?’ immediately after this article was published on www.faithwriters.com. Mr. Scotty Paschal informed me via email on the Wednesday following the publication of my article that his “board of directors thought the new page was a better witnessing tool”.

Board of directors? Two years ago, I contributed to an article titled ICTA: Fact or Fiction that can be found at www.tennis.info/ICTA.asp which details many false claims made by the ICTA and Mr. Paschal, including claiming to then have a board of directors. In that instance, the ICTA completely removed the entire contents of their web site after the articles publication. Trying to bring this organizations dishonesty and ludicrous claims to light hasn’t been easy-but is necessary- as this organization uses lies and a false Christian message to lure adolescents with dreams to a tennis academy that simply isn’t what it’s presented to be.

This new page, titled Defending the Faith-found at http://www.christiantennis.net/-1999990302 isn’t actually defending the faith-just setting up Scotty Paschal’s excuse for his newest string of lies, false claims and foolish statements that were once again exposed and brought to the light!

God has a sense of humor?

This statement opens this new section: “ I love how God works. He takes a totally unqualified, imperfect person and sets him or her to complete His task. For when the task is completed all will know it was only by His grace. That is surely the case for my life. This tennis ministry is alive and well not because of me, but in spite of me. Thank God He has a good sense of humor!" Scotty Paschal, President ICTA Inc.

Thank God He has a good sense of humor? Does Mr. Paschal honestly believe that God is sitting back laughing at the outrageous lies that Paschal has told to grow his ministry? God is very specific that He hates lying (Prov. 6:16-19par) yet Paschal honestly believes that God is happy with this type of behavior. In the same section of scripture, God further states that he hates a ‘false witness who speaks lies’ and Mr. Paschal exhibits this anti-Christian behavior against anyone who dares to question the many claims made by the ICTA (please see http://www.tennis.info/ZPostDisplay.asp). This behavior isn’t an isolated incident but something that’s been going on for several years.

Of the seven things that God finds an abomination, two of them concern lying, yet Mr. Paschal believes that God is enjoying Paschal's behavior-behavior which Gods own Word condemns-yet Paschal believes God condones. Is Paschal calling God a hypocrite? Is he saying that God doesn’t mean what He says? These statements made by Scotty Paschal are blasphemous and heretical and truly show the spiritual immaturity of this man, this organization and if the ICTA truly has a board of directors, their lack of spiritual maturity as well.

Christians aren’t perfect-just forgiven

The web page goes on to further state: This section is about imperfect people being used by God to reach others for Him. Christians are not perfect people, they are people who are forgiven of their sins who choose to live their lives for Christ. There is not one sinless or perfect person who is involved with the ICTA as a staff member or a member volunteer. This section is about exposing our own imperfections as a testimony of His forgiveness and willingness to use us for His will in spite of our many flaws. We pray this section will also offer hope to other imperfect people worldwide. Mathew 16:24,25

Jesus anticipated this very excuse and told us through His Word that we will be able to recognize his disciples by their fruits, or actions (John 15:8par). What we see in the fruits of this self proclaimed Christian is a lifestyle of lying-which is not Christian behavior. Jesus Himself stated that not everyone that calls Him Lord is saved (Matt. 7:21-23par) obviously implying that not everyone who calls himself a Christian actually is. The Bible clearly states that Satan is the father of all lies and that there is no truth in him (John 8:44par) and Paschal’s fruits far more resemble that of a follower of Satan then a true believer in Christ.

The message of Christianity isn’t false-just this messenger’s message. Mr. Paschal once again insults the very God he claims to be living his life for by stating that he’s living for Christ-when his actions tell a different story. It becomes abundantly clear that Mr. Paschal believes that he can make false claims about himself, his ministry and false allegations and accusations about others-ask God to forgive him-if indeed he actually believes in God-and do it all over again! And to top it all off he blames it on imperfection and believes that God finds this behavior “humorous”.

Mr. Paschal goes on to further state that he will be exposing “our own imperfections”. Will they include?

• Claiming to be an ordained minister-yet refusing to give out proof of this ordination.

Claiming to be a Christian-yet refusing to give out his Christian testimony.
Refusing to name his place of worship-yet claiming to attend a Baptist church.
Rachel Snelen claiming to hold an ITF world ranking-yet the ITF says she does not.
Claiming to own tennis academies worldwide-proven false by Paschal’s own admission.
Claiming a partnership with the WTA-the WTA denies this.
The ‘smear’ campaigns the ICTA wages against their detractors-see www.tennis.info.

Here are some further statements that the ICTA makes on this same web page:

This section will also offer hope for those imperfect Christian people worldwide under oppression from those who feel they have a right to judge. Whether you have a small tennis ministry like ours, or you are a pastor in atheist China who lives daily in fear for his life, or you are a pro athlete being persecuted for being outspoken about your faith... this section is for you.

Scotty Paschal isn’t being judged by me-or anyone else that I know of-for being a Christian. That’s just what he wants his readers to believe. I followed the Christian procedure for exposing sin with regards to Mr. Paschal (Matt 18). I asked Paschal privately (via email) to validate his many claims-he responded with more lies and veiled threats. I asked him for the name of his pastor-he refused to give me this information. I then went to the ‘church’ in this case a public web site to bring to light this ministries anti-Christian behavior-simply because the ICTA is an Internet based ministry-and he was given the chance to respond in a public forum, which he did, only to his detriment (please see www.tennis.info/ZpostDisplay.asp for how he responded). The ICTA is being exposed for lying about nearly every aspect of their ministry and not being judged-as only God will truly judge them.

Mr. Paschal also believes that he is suffering oppressive judgment-yet he fails to tell his readers exactly why he feels that he’s being oppressively judged-insinuating it’s because he is outspoken about his faith-which is untrue. Mr. Paschal wants children and young adults to train with him at his Christian tennis academy-yet resents simple questions about this academy, questions like:

• Where is this academy physically located?

Who are your coaches?
What are your coaching qualifications?
Who trains at your tennis academy?
Where will my child live?

The Apostle John Describes Scotty Paschal

The apostle John gives us a perfect description of Scotty Paschal; "He that says, I know him, and does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and has no truth in him" (1.Jn.2: 4 Para.). Scotty Paschal claims to be a Christian yet doesn’t tell the truth-which God’s Word says He hates-which Paschal claims that God finds humorous! These are facts-facts that are disturbing considering that the ICTA claims to be in existence to spread the gospel of Jesus Christ through the sport of tennis. These facts are disturbing because the ICTA claims to have a desire to train young tennis players to become Christian tennis missionaries-yet ‘Coach Scotty’ doesn’t tell the truth. This is disturbing because the ICTA wants your son or daughter to come and train with ‘Coach Scotty’ in Palm Coast Florida-either living with him in his house-or what he claims is a Christian host home. Scotty Paschal has been proven to be untruthful in nearly every aspect of his personal, professional and spiritual life-what would lead anyone to believe he’s telling the truth now?

A Ministry Grown by Lies and Deception

If the ministry of the ICTA is indeed alive and well, as Mr. Paschal claims on his web site, can it truly be God blessed, as Paschal also claims it to be on his web site? Can a ministry be blessed when it’s leader has open sin in his life-and who’s idea of repentance is to remove damaging statements that he makes on his web site-only after being caught telling more lies-and repeats the same deception? Most ministries would’ve been severely crippled after being exposed in this way-but the ICTA is alive and well? Can we even believe that the ICTA is an actual Christian ministry-based on a proven liars statements-when his fruits tell us a different story? It’s too bad that the only one who can honestly answer these questions can’t or won’t tell us the truth!

"Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but are in reality dangerous wolves. By their fruits you shall know them, Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs from thistles? So every good tree produces good fruits; but the corrupt tree produces evil fruits. A good tree cannot produce evil fruits, nor a corrupt tree produce good fruit. Every tree that does not produce good fruits is to be cut down and thrown into the fire. Then surely from their fruits you shall know them" (Matt.7: 15-19 KJV).

Phil Naessens     08 Mar 2005
Why do you continually attack me with suggestions and innuendo? If what you’re saying about me is true-why not publicly expose me with verifiable evidence? Better yet, why don’t you just PROVE that this article is wrong publicly with evidence instead of your usual suggestions and innuendo? That would give you instant credibility, wouldn’t it? Maybe what I should do is place the email you sent to my ‘business partner’ in an article, along with some of your more ‘colorful’ quotes you’ve publicly made on your behalf? Dear fellow writers, A really good read is located at www.tennis.info/ICTA.asp. Please be sure to read all the updates to this amazing story. After you’ve finished this, go to www.tennis.info/ZpostDisplay.asp and see how this “Gospel based ministry” attempts to deflect the truth with wild stories and accusations. This is how the ICTA witnesses to the tennis world! Investigation pending? That’s ICTA speak for not true but believe it anyway. Scotty Paschal tried to do the same things to the mother of two of his players who has accused him of brainwashing and sexually abusing her twin daughters when they were only 16 years old. Scotty accused her publicly of being an abusive mother who “will do jail time” in an effort to scare her from exposing him. Of course, the woman never was charged with anything-and neither will I. That’s the real story, Mr. Paschal.

Web link: http://www.faithwriters.com/article-details.php?id=23258
Is The International Christian Tennis Association a Christian Ministry?
by Phil Naessens
02/06/05

International Christian Tennis Association (ICTA) president and founder, Mr. Scotty Paschal, has recently made a series of statements on his web site, found at http://www.christiantennis.net/-1999990302 about America’s population being 10% ‘Satanic’ which need to be examined and addressed. In order to fully understand the previous statement, we need to examine Mr. Paschal’s statements about America’s population, determine what ‘Satanic’ actually means, and examine some claims made by Scotty Paschal to make a sound decision regarding him and his ministry.

Scotty Paschal makes this statement on his web site: " I know here in America over 90% of our population is Christian, yet the 10% who are not have organized, set their prejudiced agenda and have done such a good job that Christians have become afraid to speak about their faith! How does Scotty Paschal “know” this information that he has presented is accurate? How do 30 million people (1/10th of America’s estimated population), organize and set out to silence 270 million American people? Is this man saying that Christians in America aren’t speaking out about their faith and that he’s the only one who is?

He further goes on to state Well, I'm not so shy and I'm not at all concerned about hurting the feelings of a predjudiced satanic 10%. The International Christian Tennis Association claims to be in existence to follow Jesus Christ’s command to “make disciples of all nations”. Wouldn’t this include Jews, Buddhists, Muslims and Atheists that make up the 10% of Americans that Scotty Paschal calls Satanic? How is hurting the feelings of 10% of America’s population making disciples of Jesus Christ, as Jesus commands in Matthew 28:19? What actually convinces Mr. Paschal to believe that this non-Christian 10% are followers of Satan?

How do we determine what is ‘Satanic’? A simple definition of someone being satanic is someone who believes and follows Satan, just as a Christian believes and follows Jesus Christ. The Bible states in John 8:44 that Satan is the “father of all lies, for there is no truth in him”. Since Scotty Paschal claims to be a Christian, it’s probably safe to assume that Mr. Paschal’s description of someone being Satanic is someone “who has no truth in him” and is a follower of Satan. I think it’s now time to examine some claims made by Mr. Paschal to attempt to determine whom he really follows.

Here is a specific claim made by the ICTA found at www.mychristianweb.com/news/printer_51.shtml. (A slightly different version can be found at http://www.christiantennis.net/-1999998367/-1999956035/-1999556279.htm).
Sports
International Christian Tennis Association's Historic Partnership with the Porsche WTA Tour Championships
By Scotty Paschal, Rachel Snelen, Melody Snelen
Nov 6, 2004, 20:41

ICTA/WTA Tour Championships Official Partnership

ICTA Night, November 11

ICTA Announces Official Partnership with WTA Tour Championships Join us for ICTA Night, Nov 11!Los Angeles, California, USA: The International Christian Tennis Association has formed an official partnership with the 2004 WTA Tour Championships. Join us November 11 for the official ICTA Night! ICTA is excited to be an official partner of this year ending $3,000,000 tennis event to decide the #1 WTA tennis player in 2004! Contact ICTA to enjoy 1/2 price $38.50 tickets to the WTA Tour Championships during the official ICTA Night on November 11, 2004 at the Staple Center in Los Angeles California. Meet ICTA founder Scotty Paschal and ICTA sponsors, enjoy our 24-person event suite overlooking center court, watch the world debut on the Jumbotron screens of our official ICTA Promo Video and more!Bring Your Tennis Friends and Join Us!Contact your church, tennis club, friends, and relatives to invite them all to attend ICTA Night. They may contact ICTA on your behalf and purchase 1/2 price $38.50 tickets! Make it a fantastic evening of worldclass tennis! You can support your ICTA's mission to spread the Gospel throught the sport of tennis by attending the WTA Tour Championships on the official ICTA Night, Nov 11. Wear your ICTA T Shirt, join us in our 24-person event suite, clap during the official ICTA Promo Video, and have a fantastic time of fellowship. Meet our International Christian Tennis Academy students!Learn more...Time is Running Out! Call Today!Contact Scotty Paschal or Melody Snelen or Rachel Snelen today at the International Christian Tennis Association's headquarters in Palm Coast, Florida. Phone: 817 239 3185/ Email:TeamICTA@Yahoo.com/Website: www.christiantennis.net! About ICTA The International Christian Tennis Association is an IRS registered not for profit Christian sports ministry located in Palm Coast, Florida, USA with members in 30 countries in over 580 cities. ICTA offers a high performance Christian tennis academy, worldwide Christian tennis mission trips to large tennis events, international tennis travel tours to the slams, worldwide Christian tennis youth rallies during top pro touraments and more...

The WTA denies any official partnership with the ICTA or Scotty Paschal. There was not an ICTA video on the Jumbotron to “clap” too. On this same ‘press release’ Scotty Paschal claims that the ICTA is a registered, IRS not for profit Christian sports ministry. The IRS says that it is not yet the ICTA attempts to solicit donations by using this false claim.

Scotty Paschal has claimed in the past to be in partnership with Michael and Carl Chang to promote Christian tennis upon Michael Chang’s retirement from professional tennis in 2003. The Chang brothers deny this ‘partnership’ or any desire to or involvement with the ICTA or Scotty Paschal.

Scotty Paschal has claimed in the past to have been the General Manager of a Tennis club in Palm Coast, Florida, making 120,000 dollars per year and resigned to follow his dream of a Christian tennis ministry in 2003 (please see www.tvbn.com/Charisma/CharismaNewsUpdate20040323.html). The Palm Coast Club contends that Mr. Paschal was hired to clean the tennis courts at 8.50 per hour and was fired before his 90-day evaluation period was over for incompetence, intimidating members and dishonesty. More disturbingly, the police had to issue a non-trespass warning to Mr. Paschal and his staff after the Palm Coast Clubs employees and members complained of harassment and threatening behavior by Mr. Paschal and his staff, Rachel and Melody Snelen (who were also fired after they were found to be luring members of the Palm Coast Club to public courts in order to teach these members tennis lessons and keeping the money for themselves and the ICTA).

Mr. Paschal claims to be the owner of a high performance Christian tennis academy but refuses to give out the actual location of this academy and only names two players (Rachel and Melody Snelen) yet has claimed in the past to train 24 ATP/WTA players (which was proven false). This academy currently claims to be training 8 players yet refuses to identify any of these athletes. This is the only tennis academy that I personally know of that refuses to name players coached or even the exact location of their academy. This is alarming considering the fact that the ICTA expects adolescent tennis players to live full time at this academy.

Mr. Paschal knows of this article and its complete contents and all efforts to elicit a comment or for him to validate any one of his claims went unreturned.

It appears that the only thing Mr. Paschal isn’t afraid to do is make false claims about himself and his ministry, or to attack ‘ad hominem’, (smear campaigns against detractors). Mr. Paschal also claims to be an ordained minister yet refuses to name the date of or even the organization that he claims ordained him.
This organization refuses to name their place of worship or a church pastor for references when asked. Asked to validate their many claims, Mr. Paschal becomes evasive and highly defensive, giving the impression that they have something to hide (please see http://www.tennis.info/ZPostDisplay.asp.)

Mr. Paschal appears to be convinced that the God of the Bible needs Paschal to lie for Him, which he easily does to anyone and everyone that I’ve personally contacted, including his brother, Rev. David Paschal, a youth pastor in Denver, Colorado. Mr. Paschal makes claims about himself that are untrue and yet claims to be a Christian. Mr. Paschal makes claims about his ministry that are untrue yet claims to be an ordained minister. Mr. Paschal claims to be Christian with his words, yet his deeds tell an entirely different story and that is one of deception, dishonesty and defamation. Mr. Paschal seems justified to do so because he claims to be a Christian and is accountable to no one.

Scotty Paschal states that 10% of America is satanic and has an organized agenda against Christians. Scotty Paschal’s lifestyle is the exact Biblical definition of Satanic yet he claims to be a Christian and states on his web site “I want to travel to your country and talk with your youth group, church, school, or ministry about my experiences in dealing with controlling atheists and religions. This is exciting stuff and these are exciting times!" For an indication of how Mr. Paschal “deals” with people who don’t believe as he does, please see http://www.tennis.info/ZPostDisplay.asp. Would you want this self-proclaimed ‘Christian’ with a lifestyle that’s 100% contradictory to the lifestyle he’s trying to promote speaking to your children as he claims he has a desire to do?

This organizations lack of accountability is one of the main reasons that this organization and its staff continues to make false statements about their selves and their ministry. Using a web site with a Christian theme to lure adolescents to a non-existent tennis academy is alarming if not fraudulent. What’s even more disturbing is how easily this organization lies about their ministry and themselves without any signs of conscience or remorse. The way this organization venomously attacks anyone who questions either their ministry or their qualifications instead of validating their many outrageous claims should send out a red flag that the International Christian Tennis Association isn’t a Christian ministry that adheres to Biblical principles but uses a Christian theme for personal gain.

Phil Naessens     08 Mar 2005
Thank you very much for your critique, Scotty. You start your critique of my article with a personal insult-which helps prove the points made in my article. Of course, you removed most of the statements on the same day this article was published-at least someone here saw it-checked it out and drew the same conclusions as most spiritually mature people do. This is a forum for Christian writers to showcase their works in various topics related to ministry, and to have other writers critique their works. It appears that your sole purpose in registering on this site was to attack me personally-and not to publicly refute the concerns raised in this article with facts. Which one of us is really “angry and manipulative”, or misusing this forum, Mr. Paschal? I’m surprised you haven’t responded sooner. This is a perfect example of the ad hominem attacks that Mr. Paschal makes against ANYONE who dares to question this organization. There isn’t even one attempt to publicly refute the issues raised in this article-just attempted character assassinations against the author of this article. For many excellent examples of these malicious attacks, please see www.tennis.info/ZpostDisplay.asp. Now that you’ve registered as a Christian writer, Mr. Paschal, how about instead of attacking me personally, you categorically deny each point made in this article with verifiable facts in an article of your own. Or, since you seem to want to continue these personal attacks against me, write a factual article about me-just be prepared to back your statements up with verifiable facts and no more suggestions or innuendo. It would carry a lot more weight, but, somehow, I don’t think you will. Thanks again for your critique.

Jeremy McNabb     06 Feb 2005
I must admit, upon reading your article, I wondered how your claims could be true. I then followed your link to the organization you wrote about and browsed theier website. The ICTA looks shady, at best. Many of the websites claims are, indeed, statements of ignoranace. Good job bringing this to light!

The International Christian Tennis Association

I first became aware of the ICTA in 2003 when a message was posted to a local web site that I administered from 'Rachel' who praised the efforts of the organization in using tennis to promote Christianity. The stated intent of the ICTA was to use tennis as an opportunity to meet other people in order to 'share their ministry'. Their website announced that their policy was to train juniors to be 'top players' so that they could 'spend as much time as possible on the court and have maximum opportunity of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ and saving their souls by converting them to Christianity".

I posted a reply that expressed my concern at tennis being used as a vehicle for any purpose other than the enjoyment of the sport - without barriers or labels - whether related to age, ethnicity or religious preference:

I believe that people should play tennis purely because they want to play tennis - not because of an ulterior motive - for example, to meet people that they can sell a car to or convert to their religious beliefs. To me, everyone is equally welcome to enjoy the sport of tennis - Christian, Muslim, atheist - it shouldn't matter and shouldn't be THE REASON that people play. I simply don't care whether my partner or opponent is black, white, catholic, Jew, rich, poor, American, Afghan. I am considerate of their own attitudes and beliefs and do not seek to impose my values or beliefs on them. There are enough Churches of all faiths for people to have the opportunity of seeking out information should they wish to. It does not need to be imposed upon them on a tennis court by people who are there SOLELY to do so.

I received a lot of criticism for my "anti-Christian" attitude. I also received messages from Scott Paschal of ICTA who described himself as Director of Professional Tennis Development USA. He made a number of claims - such as ICTA having 350,000 members - including many top-ranked pro players and "3 tennis academies". I also received messages from 'Rachel' and a number of others in support of ICTA. But the emails also had something else in common, all originated from the same email server - and the same one used by Scott Paschal. Return addresses provided were fictitious.

The emails referred to the excellence of programs run by ICTA but my requests for further details of where and when went unanswered. I could also not find any other references to the ICTA apart from their website at http://www.ICTAtennis.net. I found that strange for an organization with 350,000 members, players in the top 50 in the world,  groups of touring professionals and top 10 junior players from many countries. When I continued to ask for details, all content on the ICTA website was suddenly removed. But the claims on behalf of the ICTA and criticism of my "intolerance" continued. I responded:

"Tennis, to me, is a universal sport that should have no concern for social, ethnic, or religious differences. I object to ANY form of discrimination and identification of differences rather than similarities. I have equal objections to the Black Tennis Association as I would to the existence of a White Tennis Association. Is a Gay and Lesbian Tennis Association ok? Then what about a Heterosexual Tennis Association or the USTA - Underwater Sex Tennis Association.... What have sexual preferences got to do with the enjoyment of tennis??? What's the difference if your opponent or partner is a catholic, a Buddhist or someone content in his lack of faith? Why should Mrs. Goldstein or Mr. Singh have to be concerned about sending their children to play tennis with other juniors whose stated objective is to persuade their children to disassociate themselves from the religious beliefs of their parents. I've seen where this leads.... What's wrong with people from every strata of society and background enjoying the social and invigorating benefits of a sport without labels and without ulterior motives - whether to find others of a similar sexual preference or find people to convert to a particular religious belief. I find totally unacceptable your stated objective of finding opportunities on a tennis court to convert people to your religious beliefs - to quote from your website - "Our player's sole purpose is to witness to everyone in need of God's love. Our juniors want to last as long as possible in each tournament in order to share the Word of God to as many people as possible". Would you think it appropriate that a Islamic Imam be stationed on the bench to instruct the players on the meaning of the Koran at each changeover? If not, why would you think the objectives of your players are any more acceptable? I do not believe that people who play tennis should be subjected to such pressure any more than they should be faced with a recruiter for a political party or a sexual deviant organization..."

As a result I received personal messages that were threatening and full of hate. These messages too had a number of disturbing similarities.

I began to hear that the ICTA was not a 'genuine' organization. I also received the following article for publication from a tennis pro in Greece.

This is a story about a journey into the world of tennis academies, and one in particular - the International Christian Tennis Academies (ICTA). I learned about ICTA while searching for a tennis academy for a 12 year old boy that I coach in Greece. I would like to share my experiences with you and let you be the judge as to whether ICTA is fact or fiction. My findings are based on emails from ICTA and Scott Paschal, emails and conversations with people in the tennis industry and players and coaches on the ATP/WTA professional tennis tours as well as emails and conversations with tennis federations and World Wide Web searches.
Claims on ICTA's website

The ICTA web site - at http://www.ictatennis.net - is very appealing - particularly to Christians - and contains many statements and claims by the ICTA regarding academies, tournaments, travel teams, opportunities to read the Bible online, opportunities to donate money, new membership rolls and message boards. It also contains letters from ICTA Director of Professional Development Scott Paschal, an opportunity to sign up for a newsletter and to get help for people in ministry with special needs. Mr. Paschal claims that ICTA has academies “worldwide” and is moving to Florida and making it their “main academy”. I have been unable to locate ANY ICTA academy anywhere and neither can leading tennis associates that I have corresponded with. When asked about this, Mr. Paschal has refused to tell me - or others that have asked - where these academies are actually located. ICTA also claims to be building academies in France, Rome and Greece. I personally offered my location in Greece as a ICTA facility provided that ICTA resurfaces the 2 courts. Scott Paschal initially offered to fly out immediately to see it. He promised to phone and make arrangements but always seemed to have a reason for not making the promised calls. He finally advised me that the facility was too small for his needs. His website still claims that Greece is the location of an ICTA facility. He has no other facility in Greece. As a result of developing some suspicions regarding Mr Paschal. I have contacted tennis federations in both Italy and France where ICTA claims to have facilities. They know of no ICTA academies. The ICTA web site claims that “Scott Paschal will coach more ATP/WTA players over the next 12 month’s then anyone else in the world”. I have not been able to identify a single player coached by Scott Paschal - and have asked him several times to provide supporting information for many of his claims. The web site boasts of having a “top 50 WTA ranked player” and a “top 125 WTA ranked player” Again, Scott Paschal has failed to provide evidence of such a claim. The ICTA web site claims that they run $10k tournaments but the International Tennis Federation knows nothing about them. The ICTA web site also claims that 'they' would be at the 2002 US Open witnessing for Christ. They were invited to meet with a group from another Christian Academy but failed to appear. In several months of research and correspondence, I have yet to find a single person who has had any contact with anyone connected with the ICTA. The claims of ICTA's web site appear to be untrue.
Claims made to me by Scott Paschal

 Mr. Paschal and I have corresponded extensively between November 30, 2002 and January 16, 2003. He claims to run “camps” for WTA players. I have not been able to locate a single WTA player that has ever heard of any “camps” or clinics run by ICTA or Scott Paschal. Another of Mr. Paschal’s claims was that he coached one of the girls in the finals of a recent $10k tournament in Winter Park, Florida. Both girls have been contacted. One says, “ Scott was kinda crazy about me but he’s not my coach” and “I was kinda scared of him”. The other girl, who Mr. Paschal named in an email to me and stated that they correspond by phone and email says, “Scott is not my coach and I don’t speak to him by email or by phone”. I was also informed that Mr. Paschal had to be removed from an area of the tournament by the USTA supervisor after arguing and interfering with a photographer. When I asked Mr. Paschal about this he said “that’s not true" and claimed that he and the USTA Supervisor knew each other and corresponded regularly "out of mutual respect and admiration”. The USTA Supervisor says she has not had any correspondence with Scott Paschal.

During my brief association with ICTA/Scott Paschal, he made numerous other claims that I have either found to be untrue or have been totally unable to find any evidence to support. He claims to have high-level “contacts” in tennis federations, which have been found to be untrue. He has falsely claimed to co-coach a certain well-known and successful player (who shall remain nameless). There are posts on at least two message boards by “non-existent” ICTA players defending ICTA and Scott Paschal. When I asked Scott to provide the email address of any of his supporters, he claimed that no-one could be trusted to provide an accurate and honest report. He also said, “The mother of two of my players spends days attacking me and is an abusive mother and is facing felony charges and will do prison time.”, That seems a strange statement from someone asked to provide the source of positive and supportive comments.

In Mr. Paschal’s last email to me, he states that he is now going to focus on the secular businesses that he owns in order to devote more time to his “players needs”. He also says he feels badly that I was “misled” by people that were out to get him - although hw does not identify how exactly I have been misled. But I agree that  I was misled. Misled by Scott Paschal into believing that ICTA was a “Christian organization”. I was misled into believing that ICTA had academies, coaches, players, tournaments, affiliations, sponsors and a high profile leader who cared about the people and the sport of tennis. I now believe that the ICTA is nothing more than Scott Paschal and that his grandiose claims are mere figments of his imagination.

I have to wonder how many others have been misled into giving their hard earned money to this “ministry” or how many young people were misled by a fancy web site with a bogus “Christian message”.

In conclusion, I want to make it clear that this article is not 'revenge' for any loss suffered as a result of trusting Scot Paschal or the ICTA. I knew very shortly after contacting Scott Paschal that I would not want to be associated with either him or the ICTA. I quickly discovered that neither were what they claimed to be and lost nothing in this process. Why would I write this article? Simply because I love the game of tennis and also because I’m a Christian and saddened by those who dishonestly use Christianity for their personal benefit. I hope to make others aware of the dangers before they place their hopes and dreams into what I believe to be the “pure fiction” of Scott Paschal and 'his' ICTA.

As a result of this article, I did some further research and assembled a list of claims made by Scott Paschal:
ICTA/Scott Paschal is the coach of a top 50 WTA player
ICTA/Scott Paschal is the coach of a top 125 WTA player
ICTA has 350,000 members
ICTA has its main academy in Central Florida with 20/30 courts
ICTA has a Board of Directors
ICTA has a large staff
ICTA has numerous coaches
ICTA has academies in various countries worldwide
ICTA has provided a pro in Arizona to develop junior tennis
ICTA has members at the highest level of the USTA
ICTA has members at the highest level of the WTA
ICTA has members at the highest level of the ATP
ICTA has members at the highest level of the ITF
ICTA has negotiated with top officials of the Greek Tennis Federation to establish an ICTA academy in that country
Several top coaches, ATP and WTA players visited the Greek Tennis Federation to promote the ICTA
Two members of ICTA own the top two tennis management companies in the world
Scott Paschal coaches a high WTA ranked Russian doubles team
Scott Paschal has 2 special friends that are current ATP players and among the greatest players ever to have played tennis
ICTA has a new CEO effective January 16, 2003
Scott Paschal part-owns tennis academies, sporting goods businesses and a new car dealership
Scott Paschal owns several sports ministries
ICTA has one of the strongest group of players in the world
Scott Paschal is currently negotiating to buy land and the construction of 41 courts and cabins to be operated as a secular tennis academy.
Scott Paschal is an ordained Minister

In the 4 years since compiling this list, and in spite of ongoing communications from Mr Paschal, he has still to provide any evidence that a single one was true.

In late 2003, the ICTA announced that a "Florida training facility was due to officially open in February 2004 in Orlando, Florida with 20 - 30 courts. It was described as already 60% full. By the official opening date, the facility had disappeared and the 'official opening' announcement had been replaced with: "The ICTA Academy has decided to offer one main tennis facility for our Christian players to train. The four possible locations for this ICTAcademy are Barcelona, Spain; Brussells, Belgium; Paris, France; and Florida, USA."

Its web site also announced that the ICTA had formed alliances with the Tennis Federations of Ukraine, Scotland, France, Ireland, England, Australia, New Zealand, Africa, Canada, Russia, South America, Germany, Italy, Greece, Switzerland, England, Belgium. None of the 5 associations contacted had any knowledge of the ICTA.

The site also invited its readers to "take a look at our incredible ICTA $10,000 tournaments. We are so unbelievably excited that our 2003 International Board has added these powerful Christian tennis ministry events...". No details of the events was ever provided (or of the existence and membership of any "International Board"). No such events actually materialized in 2003 - or since.

I then received the following message from an email address used by Scott Paschal:

To JDAM @ T.I,

We are a group of people who operate the ICTA.  Our majority of management comes from college coaches... who have college players...who tend to be computer geeks...bigtime computer geeks.   Hackers might be a better word.  Worldclass, too.   To make a short story even longer, when ICTA went internet ICTA was swamped with attacks from many non Christian countries.  Our email was hacked, website attacked, we had stalkers following our coaches and players!  It was rough.  Well, we got tired of it and turned to our computer geeks to develop a security system.  In fact, we now work with the computer engineering departments of more than 1 university campuses...or, rather, they work with us.   We are their school project(s)/experimentation(s).  Their/our new developing security software is used with/on us.   SP was just a front.  Bait, actually.  SP was was a good sport!  Now, where does this lead to T.I and AM.  By now, JD, you should have figured this out.  Every email, the t.i website...all is available to us... like milk.  Everything that occured in the last 9 months has been recorded, documented, evaluated.  School project.  B4J @ Y was fun. Thanks.  Our computer players actually can do most anything.  Notice how we IP college/library/pub.  You do not.  No firewall can stop a tidal wave, J.   We like you.  No hard feelings on our end.  We see what you see and will continue to do so until our project is completed.  And thanks for opening this email and for each log on and web posting.  Fresh tracks in the snow.  By the way, this email is for entertainment purposes only.

Some other equally bizarre emails were also received.

In May of 2004, I wrote  on this site:

Scott Paschal appears to be "the ICTA". In spite of many references to a board of directors, managers, staff, coaches, directors, etc. there is no evidence whatsoever that the ICTA is anything other than Scott Paschal. I recently saw Scott Paschal at the Nasdaq-100 Open in Miami. I introduced myself and told him that I believed it was in his interests to respond to the many allegations that had been made regarding the claims made by him and the ICTA. He was courteous but defensive. I outlined some of the allegations that had been made relating to the ICTA or Scott Paschal coaching world-ranked players, operating academies, employing coaches, having contacts within the management of national Tennis Federations, etc. He felt that he had nothing to defend and took the attitude that all would be revealed once certain, unspecified, goals had been achieved and it was of no consequence to him if "certain people' who had their own agendas and wished to harm him were suspicious - or jealous - of his activities.

He also stated that he had considerable experience of his emails being intercepted and their content changed so that I should not rely on email messages that might have been passed to me to decide if he was 'genuine' or not.

I told him that I had considerable difficulty with the fact that he was not prepared to offer any evidence whatsoever to substantiate the numerous claims made by him and the ICTA. I said that, in my experience, coaches of known or ranked players or owners of academies or tennis programs were extremely anxious to tell the world about their accomplishments and associations and did not hide the names of their players or the locations of their facilities. He said that it was because of past harassment of players associated with his programs that led him to now 'protect them and their identity'. I told him that I had been given the names of players that he had specifically claimed to have coached and had verified with the players that he was not, in fact, their coach. He said that he had never claimed to be their coach and was their "supporter". He claimed that this "support" had resulted in dramatic improvements in performance and results. He declined to be more specific about the nature of the "support" provided. I also provided an example of a claim that he made to be in correspondence with someone that I had contacted and who denied that they had any such correspondence. He was only slightly embarrassed...

He also declined to provide the name and contact information of any coach involved in his programs or the location of any academy or to reveal the location and date of any program that he or the ICTA had run.

I also told him that my biggest concern was that his website was focused on attracting junior players to ICTA programs and that I felt that anyone who sought to have an educational influence over minors and children had an obligation to be completely open - and be prepared to answer questions about the nature of the programs and the staff associated with them. I reminded him that his website claims that the majority of players who train with the ICTA Academy are top ranked national, ITF junior or professional players. I asked him to identify any single player in these categories that trained at the ICTA Academy. He declined. I also asked for the location of 'the Academy'. He also declined to provide any further information and again referred to the protection from 'stalking' that his players had continually suffered from in the past.

In my opinion, there can be no doubt that the ICTA is predominantly a product of Scott Paschall's imagination. There are no academies, coaches, board of directors, international staff, programs, 350,000 members. They are pure fantasy. This conclusion is even supported by Scott Paschall's brother who has referred to some of Scott's earlier "difficulties". Unfortunately, Scott Paschal also continues to 'shoot himself in the foot' by writing 'anonymous' emails allegedly from supporters of himself and the ICTA. They are demonstrably bogus.

Two months later, the ICTA's website announced their 'membership drive contest'. The winners were to receive free coaching at "our professional tennis training center in Florida". Among other benefits, the 1st prize winner was also to receive fitness training with "our ICTA professional fitness trainer" and "sessions with ICTA's licensed PH.D sport psychologist". No winner was ever announced and no academy or academy staff have ever been identified.

An ad also appeared on another Internet site:
Christian tennis academy taking resumes for Christian tennis coach. Coach Scott Paschal at the Christian Tennis Academy is currently searching for a travel coach. This Christian tennis academy is home to top WTA and ITF juniors. Scott Paschal seeks a reputable, Christian tennis pro who has formerly help a top 300 ATP or Top 150 WTA ranking. Prior coaching experience is not needed. The International Christian Tennis Association at www.ictatennis.net was founded by tennis coach, Scott Paschal in his quest to provide a safe, secure place for tennis players to find Christian support. Scott Paschal has traveled the world while coaching among the top players in the WTA and ITF juniors. This Christian tennis academy is the pioneer in Christian tennis ministry for players. Contact Christian tennis pro Scott Paschal for more information. This position at the International Christian Tennis Academy is full time salaried with lessons% available. Opportunity to become director of an ICTA Florida Christian Tennis Academy. Contact Scott Paschal today!!

And a number of others, including:

International Christian Tennis Association. Provides a fantastic Christian tennis ministry for everyone to enjoy. Free informative newsletter. Christian tennis academy trains 24 ATP/WTA Christian tennis players and dozens of worldclass juniors. Tennis tournament mission trips. International networking opportunity. Donations based. Add an ICTA ministry to your area, today!

A message also appeared on another tennis message board from 'Rachel'. one of the girls accompanying Scott Paschal was named Rachel. The IP address of the writer matched one used by Scott Paschal. She wrote:

I have been accepted to the ICTAcademy! I am very excited. I am beginning my professional career in the US on a Christian tennis team. My new coach's name is Scott Paschal. He totally raised my playing level while I was at the ICTAcademy. His academy trains players to play at the profesional level. There, the players minister to others. His website is ICTAtennis.net. You can also reach him at ballboy4jesus@ourministry.org!

He is working with the USTA to bring top level tennis back to the USA. His academy is a potential national training center for the USTA!

I also have learned recently:) that he will help other tennis pros build a Christian tennis ministry! You should call him if that interests you!

I currently train at the Bolleterri Academy. I am not happy as this is a heartless place. I am on full scholarship, but do not like to see how players are lied to about there tennis abilities so that Boll. can get another $1000 a week. Plus, the pros here are really weak. They come and go all the time. A few pros are good, but most just feed balls and really don't understand the game. I like Nick, but he doesn't own the place anymore.

Scott Paschal's players are tearing up the junior circuit and many are playing pro with WTA points that get them into the $10,000 tournaments. That is how I found the ICTAcademy.

I hope you check out ICTAtennis.net. I will have my own webpage on thate website to where everyone can follow my progress. I am nervous because even the qualifier for a $10000 tournament has a higher level of player than a junior USTA Supernational! It will take time to get used to the speed of the ball. One of the ICTAcademy coaches is ranked in the top 50 ATP. Scott has him hit exclusively with the women players! It is really good for our training!

Well, gotta go. I've got work to do. As do my friends!

Rach

The ICTA did not have an academy. He did not work with the USTA nor a potential USTA training center. Rachel was never a student at Bolletieri - never had a scholarship. The ICTA had no players with WTA points. ICTA did not have a coach ranked in the ATP top 50. How many lies can a Christian tell in one email????

Mr Paschal then claimed on his website that he was in the process of developing a joint project with Michael and Carl Chang. I was able to verify with the Chang family that this claim was completely untrue.

The ICTA website then suddenly disappeared and I learned that Scott Paschal had obtained a job with a Tennis Club in Palm Coast, Florida, and that his 2 young female colleagues (Rachel and Melody) had also found employment there. I then started to receive messages from members of the club who were very unhappy with Mr Paschal and had found their way to this web site through searching for information about him.

Scott claimed that he had been hired as General Manager at a 6-figure salary with full responsibility to 'transform the club into a world-class tennis facility and bring professional tennis to the club'. The club said he was hired at $8.50an hour to keep the pool area and site clean and mow the grass. He later told them that "as a result of his contacts" he could introduce new members to the club. He didn't. He was also later given some responsibility for the restaurant but this was cancelled after a short period because of his lack of ability and knowledge. Scott claimed that he was the Director of Tennis. The club denied this and pointed out that Peter Burwash International was contracted to provide tennis facilities at the club. The club said that Scott had described his experience as "Director of a Professional Level Tennis Facility for the past 5 years and closely involved with the governing bodies of professional tennis. He was unable to later substantiate these claims. He also represented that he was in a position to use his influence to bring Davis Cup and Fed Cup matches to the club. In view of these claims, the Club told him that it was prepared to consider him for a position of Director of Tennis when the PBI contract expired later in the year if he was able to live up to his promises. In fact, the Club dismissed him before the end of his 90-day evaluation period for incompetence. Scott says he resigned because of the club owner's unethical standards. The club denies this. Scott says the owner begged him to reconsider. The club says that Scott begged the owner of the Club to reconsider his dismissal. He refused.

While at the Club, Scott asked if he could start a tennis school and said that this would attract new members. He was given permission - but only if it had no religious connotations (by this time, the Club was aware of his connection with the ICTA). He - or rather Rachel and Melody (who had been hired to run the front desk at the Club) - subsequently started teaching at public courts nearby but used the Club facilities to recruit students and taught them while being paid by the Club. This led to Rachel and Melody's departure along with Scott...

The Club was also concerned at a growing number of discrepancies in statements made by Scott. For example, he told one person that his grandfather had died when he was 17 - another that his father had died when he was 17 - and another that he had grown up without a father or grandfather.

More disturbingly, on being dismissed, a number of incidents at the Club led to the Police becoming involved and issuing orders against Scott that would result in his arrest if he ever went to the club.

While at Palm Coast, Scott resumed the promotion of his "academy" on the Internet and claimed to train 24 ATP/WTA players and "dozens of world-class juniors". No-one at Palm Coast saw any of these professional or junior players.

It was also while Scott was at Palm Coast that I finally met with Joy Snelen - the mother of Rachel and Melody. We had been corresponding for several months and she had described in graphic detail what she considered to be the "brain-washing", abduction and sexual exploitation of her teenage daughters by Mr. Paschal.

The following letter to him demonstrates her feeling for Scott:

"Proven, pathological. psychotic liar. You steal. You lie. You are abusing, perverted and self-gratifying. Your SICK obsession. Your twisted psychology and false claims - like a CULT leader. YOU steal cars - all the time. You have no credentials, no training, no tennis players. You LIE constantly. You have a lifestyle of lying.. You are very, very, very, very STUPID and PSYCHOTIC. You are stupid but sure good at fooling people for a while - of deceiving - of claiming to be a Christian to get what you want. You lying coward. ONLY AN IDIOT WOULD BELIEVE WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY - YOU ARE A LOSER, AN INDISPUTABLE LIAR, A THIEF, EVIL PERSONIFIED! When I was watching terrorists, I saw the very same look in their eyes that YOU have in yours - the same twisted thinking. A psychotic, demon-filled pervert. Characteristics of cult leaders, terrorists, perverts - the shoe sure fits YOU. I have made many people aware of your threats so if something happens to us, you will be the first suspect. If it takes your hiring hit men to take care of us ... then I would GLADLY die."

The letter ends, "Think about it creep, pervert, liar, pedophile, abuser, theif [sic]."

She desperately wanted to see him 'exposed' and 'punished'. As they were now over the age of consent and appeared to be in a willing partnership with Scott, I advised her that there was little that she could do. She had earlier become extremely upset at a public statement by Scott that she was or had been an abusive mother. She asked if she could visit me and present her story along with a lot of accumulated evidence that would support her innocence of such accusations and prove that it was Scott who was, in fact, the abuser. She wanted my assistance to take legal action against Scott.

When we met, Ms Snelen spent several hours detailing the history of Scott's association with her daughters. Basically, she claimed that he had become infatuated with them when they were 15-years old and he was working as a part-time coach at a Texas County club where they took lessons. He was, at that time, in his early 30's. She said that he was subsequently fired from his job and then coached her daughters at public courts. She claimed that he 'poisoned their minds' against their parents and convinced them that their parents were trying to ruin their chances of a professional career and that they would only succeed in their career if they listened to him and not their parents. About a year later, he persuaded them to leave home and move into his apartment. She stated that they were bright, intelligent girls who excelled at tennis - being highly ranked junior players. After moving in with Scott, they became abusive and unpleasant and their tennis ability steadily deteriorated. She showed me court documents that showed that she had sued Scott and his former employer for damages as a result of his relationship with her daughters. The case had been dismissed after she failed to serve the summons on Scott (he had, she told me, left the area with her daughters to avoid her court proceedings).

After listening to her story, reviewing the numerous documents she brought with her and asking a lot of questions, I advised her that her best course of action was to put all thoughts of 'vengeance' and legal action out of her mind and recognize that all the evidence was that her daughters were doing exactly as they chose and were not being held against their will or being made to do anything other than what they freely chose to do. She did not much like my advice and initiated another discussion from which some very disturbing history emerged. I will not go into the details but did come to the conclusion that her daughters had, indeed, been subjected to abuse in their upbringing. I strongly advised her to seek a meeting with her daughters and let them know that she wanted to seek their understanding of the past and work towards a reconciliation. I told her that her public condemnation and pursuit of vengeance against Scott would only make it more difficult for her to persuade her daughters that she was concerned for their welfare. We later parted on amicable terms and she left with me further documents for me to review in the 'hope' that it would persuade me of Scott's "evilness" and the need for action to be taken against him. She claimed that he had taken many thousands of dollars from people claiming that it was for religious causes but, in fact, paid his personal bills. She had no documentary evidence but said she could obtain it. I advised her that it might be more advisable for her to 'use'  her knowledge to persuade Scott to 'mend his ways' and act responsibly in the future. Failing to use the information could also help to persuade her daughters that she was not seeking to harm someone that they apparently saw as a friend and mentor and that this could assist in effecting a reconciliation.

I was later advised by a friend of hers who had accompanied her when she visited me that, instead of returning home, they had gone to Palm Coast the following day and Ms Snelen had met with one of her daughters. The meeting had resulted in a loud argument and they had to be separated by Ms. Snelen's friend. Ms Snelen later told me that she thought that some progress had been made in persuading her daughter that she was more of a friend than Scott... I heard from others that Ms Snelen had appeared to be "very disturbed" and had, at one point, fallen into a water fountain at the club.

Scott continued to defend his account of his time at the Palm Coast club.  He described the owner of the Club as a liar and "bullshit artist" (but an "inseparable" friend..!). He also described how similar they were - as they both shared a common problem: "differentiating between knowing how to lead people with visions and ideas versus bullshit and exaggerated garbage". He says that meeting the Club owner made him realize that he was "as bad as him" and that is what prompted him to resign - and evaluate himself as a person.

He describes how shocked and hurt the Club owner was at his resignation as he had considered his functioning as GM of the Club to have been "way beyond his expectations...". The Club insists the owner ordered his dismissal for incompetence.

Of particular interest in Scott's statements at this time was that Scott finally admitted that his website and claims of academies and achievements were "exaggerations". He 'explained' that it was to protect Rachel and Melody from a mother who was a liar and "out to destroy her kids" and destroy Scott because he had taken them in to "his academy" and given them protection.

He was a little vague about how inventing tennis academies and extreme achievements on a public web site was a defense against Ms Snelen - who appears to have made little public comment - but he suggested that he felt he could counter her accusations of his abuse and self-interest by inventing an imaginary successful environment in which they were involved and helped develop. I told him that the claims seemed to have become somewhat extreme for such a limited purpose - 350,000+ members; academies worldwide; 25 top ATP/WTA players coached; ownerships of several sports ministries, a new car dealership, a sporting goods business and a 30 court facility in Florida' etc.

Scott told me that he intended to be a "real Christian" and learn humbleness. It appeared for a while that he was doing just that - and he was reported to be frequenting some public courts in Palm Coast with the twins and a "couple of local kids". This is apparently where he was when he applied for the job at Palm Coast. He has told me that Ms Snelen is "undergoing counseling and is finally admitting to a life of lies and that a relationship is developing between her and her daughters". There were rumors that they were all living together.

Unfortunately, the "humbleness" quickly evaporated and Scott soon after announced that he was "researching acreage to buy to build an academy" and that:

The academy students will workout between 10am and noon, then again from 3pm till 5pm M-F.
We will have 6 hardcourts, 4 claycourts, a pro shop, pool, and fitness center.
I'll build my house on property and will add rooms for students as needed.
We will be able to build this tennis academy debt free.
Membership $ will pay for student scholarships.

He also claimed that he had left the Pam Coast club as he had been 'head-hunted' by another 'superior' facility. He also claimed that he had "taken over the rights to use a new facility to operate as an independent business for 5 years at which time he will have the opportunity to purchase it". Both of these claims appear to have been faalse.

Shortly afterwards - while his 'academy' was reported to be part-time use a public court "with 2 kids" - the following item appeared on his relaunched website:
New ICTA World Class Tennis Academy:

The ICTA has negotiated to bring you one of the best tennis facilities in the world.  ICTA founder, Scott Paschal, will own the management rights to this worldclass tennis facility.  Our academy students will have 12 hard courts, 8 clay courts, and 2 grass courts to train on!  Combine this with onsite condominiums w/ kitchens, a  swimming pool, pro shop services, horseback riding, and a lake... we have one of the best locations in the world.

Our new tennis academy is developing a website.  To visit our current webpage with basic information, click here.

The goal of the ICTAcademy is to develop top level professional tennis players in a Christian environment.  We do this through hard work and a long term development plan for each student accepted into the academy.

Upcoming Tennis Academy Facilities:

1.  Supervised on site condos w/ kitchens.
2.  18 hard courts
3.  6 clay courts
4.  2 grass courts
5.  Pro shop services
6.  Swimming pool
7.  Ball machines
8.  Restaurant
9.  Meeting rooms
10.  Lake activities
11.  Horseback riding
12.  Cookout grill
13.  Game room
14.  Ping pong
15.  Fitness center

Training

Each player accepted into the ICTAcademy will have a full service, long term plan of tennis development which includes:

1.  15 hrs per week on court drills.
2.  5 hrs per week tennis specific fitness and strength training.
3.  10 hrs per week match play.
4.  2 hrs per week nutrition training.
5.  Daily mental fitness and focus training.
6.  Study of pro matches.
7.  Tournament schedule which includes USTA Florida, USTA National, USTA Supernational, ITF junior and   ITF professional men's and women's events.
8.  Available private lesson for academy students.

Please note:  It is important for prospective students to understand that this tennis academy is focused on developing professional tennis players.  As a Christian tennis academy, our coaches have a goal of developing players who can reach the top levels of the game and be an example to others.  We do not focus on selling our product to you.  We are not professional business marketers!  Nor do we babysit.  We focus 100% on developing our players' tennis skills to compete on the USTA and ITF professional level.  We do this in a Christian environment whereas a typical world class tennis academy does not.  Students are free to share their faith in God and participate in Christian mission trips worldwide.  The ICTAcademy is a nondenominational Christian academy.

Fees

Fees for partime training or fulltime training with room and board rates are yet to be determined.  Past rates for these services began at $399 per week and ended at $699 per week.  New rates will be posted soon.

    * Scholarships have been available for qualified students.
    * Jobs will be available for selected students.
    * Homeschooling options for academy students will be posted soon.

For more info, contact TeamICTA@Yahoo.com.  Or call 817 239 3185

Of course, the 'world class facility' was a complete myth - which should have been obvious as he could not even provide a consistent number of courts to be offered between the description in 1st paragraph and the subsequent list of facilities.

I have spoken to several people who have been involved with Scott as a coach. I have yet to hear a good word about his ability - but plenty about his lack of it. One junior player who spent a short time with him described him as completely "worthless" who destroyed her game and who led her to such fear of him that she suffered recurring nightmares as a result.

Scott has consistently claimed to have coached top ATP and WTA-ranked players - although, of course, refusing to identify them (for their own protection, he claims...). Perhaps an objective measure of his coaching ability is demonstrated by the performance of the twins - Rachel and Melody Snelen - who were exceptional junior players prior to going to live with Scott at the age of 16 (I have seen a number of newspaper articles from the time that demonstrate this). According to the girls' mother, Scott  persuaded them that they had to leave their parents and listen only to him if they were to realize their potential of becoming world-class players. They have since benefited from 5 years of continuous, personal coaching from him.

So what have they accomplished? Neither has progressed beyond a qualifying round - except in a remote event in Mexico that could only attract 4 players to the qualifying round. Rachel was beaten 6-1 6-0 and was the only one of the 4 players not to qualify (yes, this is the same Rachel who claims that she gave up a full scholarship at Bollettieri to train with Scotty...!). Somehow, Melody managed to get direct entry into the main draw and lost 6-1 6-1 in her first match. Their results have been consistently abysmal. Rachel and Melody have won only 2 matches each in the whole of their 5 year 'pro careers'... (Go to luxilon.com and choose 'Pro Results' to search for all match scores with a player name containing 'Snelen').

The ICTA also has (http://christiantennisassociation.blogspot.com/2006/07/icta-pro-tennis-team.html) a story about the ICTA Pro Team (apparently Rachel and Melody) playing at a recent $75k challenger at College Park and their pro tennis achievements. Rachel played Kim Grant in the first round of qualifying. Kim is a very nice lady -but hasn't played much competitive tennis recently - she played one match in 2004 and 1 match in 2005 - losing both 1st round qualifying matches. Rachel lost the match (losing the first set 6-0...). Melody was down 1-4 in the first set when she retired. It is somewhat surprising that Scott should consider these to be success stories. Anyone wanting to achieve such results after 5 years of intensive ICTA training should contact Coach Scotty...

I have no wish to demean anyone or belittle anyone's accomplishments - I know many pro players and how hard it is to 'make it' on the pro tour. But I also expect a little restraint and reality in bragging about achievements. Scott makes much of Rachel 'earning' a WTA point - and a corresponding WTA ranking - as a result of her performance at the event. She showed up and lost. How that 'deserves' a ranking point is absolutely beyond my comprehension and I would be interested in the circumstances of her entry if anyone can enlighten me... (for more on the ways in which a ranking can be 'earned', see my article at http://www.tennis.info/TWISIRankings1.htm).

In spite of the lack of any credible claim to fame, the ICTA web site - and its claims - has continued to grow ever bigger... Some of them are simply incredible - such as the claim that the ICTA has signed an agreement with the owner to become a sponsor and partner of the $3 million Porche/WTA year-ending Championships held in Los Angeles in October 2004. The WTA, Porsche, its agents and the management of the host venue all deny that this is true. The claimed release of the ICTA's new video on the 'Jumbotron' during the event similarly did not materialize. The ICTA's website currently describes their sponsorship agreement as "amazing to see!" So amazing that Scott has refused to make good on a promise to let me see it - unless I agreed to pay him $10,000..! He also claimed that the ICTA was a sponsor of the 5th largest tennis event in the world - the Nasdaq-100 Open held in Miami in March 2005. The tournament management deny that this was true and that Scott merely managed to acquire a small tent at the event to recruit members.

There are many other examples...

I previously hosted a message board on this site. I removed it some time ago after it became full of misinformation regarding the ICTA. Most of the misinformation came from Scott and his supporters falsely claiming to be 'satisfied customers'...

In spite of being convinced of the potential danger that Scott posed, I, perhaps naively, took the view that anyone who seriously considered him as a potential tennis coach - or Christian - would quickly realize their error.

Recently I have heard further tales of the ICTA that have led me to revise my opinion - and decide to republish some of what I have learned about the ICTA.

One that particularly disturbs (disgusts?) me concerns a WTA player named Julia Vakulenko. I have known Julia for several years - not well, but well enough to know that several claims made by Scott regarding her in the past were completely false. Scott currently has pictures of Julia on his website and the following details:

"Julia desperately needed to have a new start in life.  She had been used and abused by many people, quit tennis, sank into suicidal depression, and no longer wanted to live.  Everyone in the tennis circles had written her off. God led me to contact Julia via email on Christmas Eve.  She arrived a few weeks later.  Rehabilitating her spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically was among the toughest assignments of my life.  Julia is now back on tour and thriving.  I have said from the beginning when she first arrived here for her new start in life that Julia can be #1 WTA.  Yes, Julia's life has been unfair, but our God is powerful and He has His reasons.  She deserves the best and I pray for her daily."  Scott Paschal,  ICTA Founder & President

There is a much longer article that describes in much more detail Julia's problems and her complete rehabilitation of everything from her suicidal tendencies to her racquet, forehand, serve, footwork, attitude... I am disturbed that Scott should consider it appropriate to discuss the intimate and personal details of someone who he claims had sought his help. Whether or not he believes it to be true is quite irrelevant. I spoke at length to Julia a few weeks after she ended her 'rehabilitation'. I will not go into detail about her reasons for being there and what occurred. Suffice it to say that she described in great detail how relieved she was to have "escaped" his influence and "abuse" - along with another of Scott's 'success stories' also featured on his website - Marek Czerwinski - who has been equally critical of Scott's abilities and false claims.

Scott has been described by others as a cult-leader, swindler, abuser, liar, etc. His modus operandi is to attack as a Satanist anyone who questions any of his claims. However, he has also shown an absolute disregard for criticism and requests for proof of his claims - preferring instead to hide behind a smokescreen of credibility created by stories of grandiose plans and claimed accomplishments. Although claiming to be an ordained minister, he refuses to disclose where and when he was ordained. In spite of claiming to be a non-profit

The only thing that is certainly true is that Mr Paschal has a very long and very consistent history of 'exaggerations'. In view of what I continue to hear of his activities, I have decided to resurrect some of what I have learned of the ICTA as a 'balance' to his own website. I will leave it to anyone who wishes to be associated with Mr Paschal to do their own research, visit his 'academy' and make their own decision whether that would be a wise choice...

Web link: http://www.tennis.info/TWISIICTA.htm
The Way I See It...
A personal view of tennis by Jeff Davies

Scott Paschal has had enough time to keep his promises to repent and sin no more.

Regrettably, it seems that he remains as divorced from reality and as much of a stranger to the truth as ever.

In case my earlier article about this bogus organization did not deter you from trusting these self-described Christian people perhaps a few practical facts about the value of Paschal's coaching abilities will help...

Twins Rachel and Melody Snelen have been 'coached' and groomed for tennis stardom by Scott Paschal for the past 5 years. He devoted himself to their development as 'world-class' players. In the process they became his constant companions and cult disciples as well as stars of the ICTA Tennis Team and chief instructors at his self-proclaimed 'world-class High Performance Tennis Academy' - which happen to be public courts near his rented home in Palm Coast, Florida.

To judge the effectiveness of these 'world-class' instructors - and the value of Paschal's 5 years of intensive 'High Performance' coaching - take a look at the results from their latest tournament - a $10k event in Pittsburg in November 2006.

They both lost in the first round of qualifying. Not only that, they did not win a single game between them...! And, to add insut to injury, it was the very first pro match ever played by one of the their opponents. Truly high performance stuff..!

For more details of their impressive career - and the true value of Paschal's coaching - go to http://www.protennis.us/WSearchOptions.htm and choose 'Contains' and enter "snelen" for the Player 1 option.

Message board that was forced off by ICTA can be found at:
http://web.archive.org/web/20050213094240/tennis.info/ZPostDisplay.asp

Posted: 03-14-2006 05:39 AM    Post subject:     Reply with quote
A sport by itself is not a "cult" per se.

See http://www.rickross.com/faq.html

A cult requires an abosoulte authoritarian leader that largely defines the group.

There have been certain leaders that have allegedly used sports to recruit and control people.

"Divine Madness" has been called a "cult" and is focused on running.

See http://www.rickross.com/groups/divine_madness.html

"Chung Moo Quan" is a martial arts school allegedly also run like a "cult."

See http://www.rickross.com/groups/chung.html

"Champions for Christ" mixed religion with sports, which was considered controversial.

See http://www.rickross.com/groups/champions.html

Please remember that preaching and proselytizing are not allowed on this board. It is also not a place to promote your business.

Posted: 03-14-2006 10:29 AM    Post subject:     Reply with quote
The previous links covered this.

Please read all of the information, which goes into great detail.

No, sports are not "cults." And this is explained within the links.

Posted: 03-15-2006 06:00 AM    Post subject:     Reply with quote
Per the dictionary definition you quote a "cult" includes "a person" that is the focus of "devotion or allegiance."

At least that's the type of cult typically being discussed here.

There are "cult followings," "cult brands" and "cult heros."

A sport might have a cult following or a cult hero, but that would not be a destructive cult like Jonestown led by Jim Jones or the Waco Davidians led by David Koresh.

But a tennis coach could fit the definition of a "cult leader" if he or she used that position and/or religion to dominate, control and/or mainpulate people coached.

This has happened at times in sports as the two previously linked groups demonstrate.

You admit that people see you that way and have posted comments here and elsewhere alleging that you somehow fit within this category.

See http://forum.rickross.com/viewtopic.php?t=1380&highlight=international+tennis

Also see http://www.tennisministry.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1158&sid=c648f1e7a31980584b2f3aef69a32a63

Seems like your purpose at this board is not to "educate" yourself, but rather to obfuscate the issues per your own agenda.

Something like what the man who posted at the above link says you have done previously when he questioned your behavior, credentials etc.

"I received various emails at times polite and at times threatening either from Mr. Paschal, or his two helpers during the next several years. I replied politely but desired to keep the communication to the minimum."

Antoher excerpt from the post linked above seems to fit the description of someone using a sport as a basis to control and/or dominate people.

"December 2005 - A former top 100 women WTA player trains with Mr. Paschal. She has now quit after a short period there. The method of operation for ICTA to attract players is as follows: Provide free airfare to the Florida. Provide housing. Separate them from their family. Immediately start to use their photos on the website, to validate their claims of great players and to attract additional players. Surround the player with Mr. Paschal assistants by living with them all in the same house. Control of the player by both love and anger. Mr. Paschal states that he has become her 'tennis dad'."

These comments were originally posted by Rev. Bob Kraft, March 7, 2006.

Again see http://www.tennisministry.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=1158&sid=c648f1e7a31980584b2f3aef69a32a63

This may fit within the definition of a cult as outlined by psychiatrist Robert Jay Lifton through his criteria.

See http://www.rickross.com/reference/brainwashing/brainwashing1.html

The type of environmental and emotional control described wold also appear to fit within what Lifton and sociologist Richard Offshe would call "coercive persuasion" or "thought reform."

These definitions are very specific.

Please understand that attempting to blame all sports or others that are "jealsous" does not really address the specific complaints against you. But this reaction is often typical of people trying to obfuscate an issue by diverting attention elsewhere or attacking others.

Posted: 03-15-2006 03:05 PM    Post subject:     Reply with quote
The word "cult" can be used in different ways as stated before. The links posted cover this.

Your attack regarding Rev. Kraft is noted.

And you seem to be saying everyone else is to blame for whatever went wrong, not you.

You are many things to your players such as their "dad," coach and minister.

You wear many hats apparently without many boundaries.

Posted: 03-15-2006 05:45 PM    Post subject:     Reply with quote
Yes, of course Scott, you are right and Rev. Kraft is wrong.

Noted.

Can you think of an example of when you were wrong regarding how you handle players and coach them?

Posted: 03-16-2006 04:34 AM    Post subject:     Reply with quote
Scott:

You seem to have a very good memory when it comes to precise details used to attack others, but became vague and general when addressing your own behavior.

"Have I made mistakes as a coach. Sure. Teaching anything to people is full of learning for both teacher and student."

Posted: 09-15-2006 03:10 PM    Post subject:     Reply with quote
Mr. Paschal,

Strange to read you personal info and then compare it to your personal sites. Here you say that you are new at coaching and so on....Your sites state differently.

Here you say you wanted feedback on your thoughts but yet you state on other sites of yours, that you have been doing this since 1999.

Sounds like to me you need to get your lies straight before you begin typing anything. I am following, will follow, and will expose.

Weblink: http://forum.rickross.com/viewtopic.php?t=1380&highlight=paschal

Posted: 02-01-2005 08:27 AM   Post subject: The International Christian Tennis Association
International Christian Tennis Association: Christian Ministry?  International Christian Tennis Association (ICTA) president and founder, Mr. Scotty Paschal, has recently made a series of statements on his web site, found at http://www.christiantennis.net/-1999990302 about America’s population being 10% ‘Satanic’ which need to be examined and addressed. In order to fully understand the previous statement, we need to examine Mr. Paschal’s statements about America’s population, determine what ‘Satanic’ actually means, and examine some claims made by Scotty Paschal to make a sound decision regarding him and his ministry.  Scotty Paschal makes this statement on his web site: " I know here in America over 90% of our population is Christian, yet the 10% who are not have organized, set their prejudiced agenda and have done such a good job that Christians have become afraid to speak about their faith! How does Scotty Paschal “know” this information that he has presented is accurate? How do 30 million people (1/10th of America’s estimated population), organize and set out to silence 270 million American people? Is this man saying that Christians in America aren’t speaking out about their faith and that he’s the only one who is?  He further goes on to state Well, I'm not so shy and I'm not at all concerned about hurting the feelings of a predjudiced satanic 10%. The International Christian Tennis Association claims to be in existence to follow Jesus Christ’s command to “make disciples of all nations”. Wouldn’t this include Jews, Buddhists, Muslims and Atheists that make up the 10% of Americans that Scotty Paschal calls Satanic? How is hurting the feelings of 10% of America’s population making disciples of Jesus Christ, as Jesus commands in Matthew 28:19? What actually convinces Mr. Paschal to believe that this non-Christian 10% are followers of Satan?  How do we determine what is ‘Satanic’? A simple definition of someone being satanic is someone who believes and follows Satan, just as a Christian believes and follows Jesus Christ. The Bible states in John 8:44 that Satan is the “father of all lies, for there is no truth in him”. Since Scotty Paschal claims to be a Christian, it’s probably safe to assume that Mr. Paschal’s description of someone being Satanic is someone “who has no truth in him” and is a follower of Satan. I think it’s now time to examine some claims made by Mr. Paschal to attempt to determine whom he really follows.  Here is a specific claim made by the ICTA on their web site and on other Christian web sites in the form of a ‘press release’.  ICTA Announces Official Partnership with WTA Tour Championships  Join us for ICTA Night, Nov 11!  Los Angeles, California, USA: The International Christian Tennis Association has formed an official partnership with the 2004 WTA Tour Championships. Join us November 11 for the official ICTA Night! ICTA is excited to be an official partner of this year ending $3,000,000 tennis event to decide the #1 WTA tennis player in 2004!  Contact ICTA to enjoy 1/2 price $38.50 tickets to the WTA Tour Championships during the official ICTA Night on November 11, 2004 at the Staple Center in Los Angeles California. Meet ICTA founder Scotty Paschal and ICTA sponsors, enjoy our 24-person event suite overlooking center court, watch the world debut on the Jumbotron screens of our official ICTA Promo Video and more!  Bring Your Tennis Friends and Join Us!  Contact your church, tennis club, friends, and relatives to invite them all to attend ICTA Night. They may contact ICTA on your behalf and purchase 1/2 price $38.50 tickets! Make it a fantastic evening of worldclass tennis!  You can support your ICTA's mission to spread the Gospel throught[sic] the sport of tennis by attending the WTA Tour Championships on the official ICTA Night, Nov 11. Wear your ICTA T Shirt, join us in our 24-person event suite, clap during the official ICTA Promo Video, and have a fantastic time of fellowship. Meet our International Christian Tennis Academy students!  The WTA denies any official partnership with the ICTA and Scotty Paschal. There was not an ICTA video on the Jumbotron to “clap” too. On this same ‘press release’ Scotty Paschal claims that the ICTA is a registered, IRS non-profit Christian ministry. The IRS says that it is not.  Scotty Paschal has claimed in the past to be in partnership with Michael and Carl Chang to promote Christian tennis. The Chang brothers deny this ‘partnership’ or any desire to or involvement with the ICTA or Scotty Paschal.  Scotty Paschal has claimed in the past to have been the General Manager of a Tennis club in Palm Coast, Florida, making 120,000 dollars per year and resigned to follow his dream of a Christian tennis ministry in 2003. The Palm Coast Club contends that Mr. Paschal was hired to clean the tennis courts at 8.50 per hour and was fired before his 90-day evaluation period was over for incompetence, intimidating members and dishonesty. More disturbingly, the police had to issue a non-trespass warning to Mr. Paschal and his staff after the Palm Coast Clubs employees and members complained of harassment and threatening behavior by Mr. Paschal and his staff, Rachel and Melody Snelen (who were also fired after they were found to be luring members of the Palm Coast Club to public courts in order to teach these members tennis lessons and keeping the money for themselves and the ICTA).  Mr. Paschal claims to be the owner of a high performance Christian tennis academy but refuses to give out the actual location of this academy and only names two players (Rachel and Melody Snelen) yet has claimed in the past to train 24 ATP/WTA players (which was proven false). This is the only tennis academy that I personally know of that refuses to name players coached or even the exact location of their academy.  The claims made above are just a sample of the many claims that Mr. Paschal has made about the ICTA and himself that have been proven to be ‘false’. (For a more detailed list of specific claims made by Scotty Paschal, see www.tennis.info/ICTA.asp). Is it now safe to assume that Scotty Paschal doesn’t tell the truth in regards to his person or his ‘Christian’ organization?  Scotty Paschal states that 10% of America is satanic and has an organized agenda against Christians. Scotty Paschal’s lifestyle is the exact Biblical definition of Satanic yet he claims to be a Christian and states on his web site “I want to travel to your country and talk with your youth group, church, school, or ministry about my experiences in dealing with controlling atheists and religions. This is exciting stuff and these are exciting times!" For an indication of how Mr. Paschal “deals” with people who disagree with his methods, please see http://www.tennis.info/ZPostDisplay.asp. Would you want this self-proclaimed ‘Christian’ with a lifestyle that’s 100% contradictory to the lifestyle he’s trying to promote speaking to your children as he claims he has a desire to do?  This is an organization that is accountable to no one. This organization refuses to name their place of worship or even a pastor for references when asked. Asked to validate their many claims, Mr. Paschal becomes evasive and highly defensive, giving the impression that they have something to hide (please see http://www.tennis.info/ZPostDisplay.asp.) It appears that the only thing Mr. Paschal isn’t afraid to do is make false claims about himself and his ministry, or to attack ‘ad hominem’, (smear campaigns against detractors). Mr. Paschal also claims to be an ordained minister yet refuses to name the date of or the organization that he claims ordained him. These claims are intended to give this man credibility in two worlds where ordinarily he wouldn’t have any and this is disturbing.  Mr. Paschal appears to be convinced that the God of the Bible needs Paschal to lie for Him, which he easily does to anyone and everyone. Mr. Paschal makes claims about himself that are untrue and yet claims to be a Christian. Mr. Paschal makes claims about his ministry that are untrue yet claims to be an ordained minister. Mr. Paschal claims to be Christian with his words, yet his deeds tell an entirely different story and that is one of deception, dishonesty and defamation. Mr. Paschal seems justified to do so because he claims to be a Christian and is accountable to no one.  This organization is accountable to no one and this needs to change. Their lack of accountability is the main reason that this organization and its staff continue to exist. I think it’s time for the 90% of Mr. Paschal’s America to stand up against this masquerader of the faith and let God take care of the other 10% that Paschal considers Satanic, don’t you?

Web link: http://forum.rickross.com/viewtopic.php?t=2828&highlight=paschal Posted: 09-15-2006 02:14 PM   Post subject: International Christian Tennis Association-False
ITCA is not a true organization. I have tried to contact several individuals who are trying to expose Scotty Paschal. Well I have a lot of information that can. I need information on who to send this to. Can you help?  Scott Paschal is not who he claims to be. I have read more than I care to about him. All of his background information is almost completly false. How and where he grew up is false statements on most of his own claims. I know exactly what he is up to, and believe me scotty is sick!!!!!!!!!  You are not looking in the right direction for websites that involve Mr. Paschal. Do your homework! I hope parents will not be niave enough to send their children anywhere with Mr. Paschal.

Posted: 11-14-2006 12:45 AM   Post subject:
really?  i suggest you either contact Bob Kraft or maybe contact http://sonicbooms.blogspot.com. he's a reporter with the washington post. he called me 2 weeks ago.  thankfully, i'm finished with this group!

Posted: 11-23-2006 08:44 AM   Post subject: ICTA
Go to http://www.tennis.info/TWISIICTA.htm to read more about the ICTA and Scotty Paschal.  Send your information to the site developer.

Web link: http://sonicbooms.blogspot.com/
Sonic Booms Advertures

Wednesday, March 14, 2007