USPTA Professionals are driven individuals who go above and beyond their call of duty to inspire their students to reach their highest level of performance on the tennis court and provide them with tools to be successful off the court as well. The USPTA wants to recognize members who are committed to excellence as tennis teachers and as ambassadors using tennis to impact people and communities.
The USPTA is looking for deserving tennis professionals who are growing the game of tennis as it accepts nominations for the 2019 awards program. The 2019 Awards program recognizes accomplishments of USPTA members during 2018. Awards are presented in every facet of the tennis business in which USPTA members work.
USPTA National Award Categories
George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award
The George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes a member who, over a career, has demonstrated exemplary achievement in seven areas, including: contributions to the USPTA and USTA; as a teaching professional, player, and coach; in education, research, and publications; and with other organizations, achievements, and contributions. This is the first year the award has been open to applications and is not awarded every year.
Alex Gordon Award for Professional of the Year
The Alex Gordon Award for Professional of the Year recognizes a member who, over a calendar year, has demonstrated exemplary achievement in seven areas, including: the USPTA, allied organizations, club achievements, career development, volunteerism, coaching achievements and playing achievements.
USPTA Star Award
USPTA Stars are members who have dedicated many years to volunteering in grassroots tennis and through initiatives incorporating multicultural and other aspects and bring the sport and sportsmanship to the players they touch. Their giving spirits have made them stars in their own communities. We may not have heard of the people who receive this award, but their stories are inspiring, and almost all of us know at least one person who deserves a nomination.
USPTA Industry Excellence Award
The USPTA Industry Excellence Award is given to teaching professionals who take both an altruistic and entrepreneurial attitude toward their jobs. They use their own resources and those offered by the industry to build programs that bring tennis to more people. At the same time, they are successful in growing a tennis business.
Coach of the Year Awards
The Steve Wilkinson College Coach of the Year and the High School Coach of the Year awards recipients are usually selected based on their results as team coaches; however, individual coaches may be considered. The Tim Gullikson Touring Coach of the Year is selected on the basis of his or her work with a playing professional on the ATP World tour or the WTA Tour and/or touring juniors.
USPTA Tester of the Year Award
The USPTA Tester of the Year award recognizes the USPTA tester who does the most to advance certification opportunities and the certification process.
USPTA Lessons for Life™ Award
The USPTA Lessons for Life™ Award recognizes USPTA members who have done the most to raise money for charities through tennis events. While the award spotlights individuals that have raised large amounts of money, it also honors those hosting the most creative, original or unique tennis event to raise money for charities. An individual hosting an event raising the most money will not necessarily receive this award.
Bob Ryland Diversity Award
The USPTA Diversity Award recognizes those USPTA members who have demonstrated an outstanding ability to unite diverse populations within their community through tennis.
USPTA Elevate Award
The USPTA Elevate Award recognizes a USPTA member under the age of 30 who, through their tennis-teaching and volunteer spirit, has increased opportunities for others to participate in tennis. This member exemplifies and emphasizes individual achievement and sportsmanship along with teaching the physical attributes of the sport. This member has served the USPTA in one capacity or another, and has made a commitment to grassroots tennis and an indelible impression on her community.
Manager of the Year, Large and Small Facility
The only USPTA award available to nonmembers is for Manager of the Year, Large and Small Facility; however, a USPTA Professional has received the award each year, sometimes along with a nonmember. Applicants/nominees must be the general manager (in function, if not in title) of a club or tennis facility.
Nominations for the above awards may be submitted by a USPTA division or a certified USPTA member in good standing, as long as an official application form is used. Member self-nominations are accepted.