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Apply Now for USPTA National Awards

There is less than one month remaining to submit nominations for the 2019 USPTA National Awards Program. The Association is looking for deserving tennis-teaching professionals and coaches who are growing the game of tennis as it accepts nominations for the 2019 awards program. Awards are presented in every facet of the tennis business in which USPTA members work.

The awards period is from Jan. 1, 2018 - Dec. 31, 2018 and will recognize the USPTA professional achievements that occurred during 2018. Only certified Professional-level members are eligible to be nominated for an award. USPTA is accepting nominations until the March 18, 2019 deadline. Recipients will be recognized during the 2019 USPTA World Conference, Sept. 23 - 27, at the Westgate Las Vegas Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.

The national awards categories are as follows:

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 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. 2018 Honoree: Ron Woods

Alex Gordon Professional of the Year The Alex Gordon Professional of the Year Award recognizes a member who, over a calendar year, has demonstrated exemplary achievement in seven areas, including USPTA, allied organizations, club achievements, career development, volunteerism, coaching achievements and playing achievements. 2018 Honoree: Mark Faber

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. 2018 Honoree: Lisa Pugliese

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. 2018 Honoree: Dave Howell

Steve Wilkinson College Coach of the Year High School Coach of the Year 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. 2018 College Honoree: Gregory Prudhomme 2018 High School Honoree: Todd Rubinstein

Tim Gullikson Touring Coach of the Year 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. 2018 Honoree: Carlos di Laura

USPTA Tester of the Year The USPTA Tester of the Year award recognizes the USPTA tester who does the most to advance certification opportunities and the certification process. 2018 Honoree: Patricio Misitrano

USPTA Lessons for LifeTM Award The USPTA Lessons for Life TM Award recognizes those USPTA members who have done the most to raise money for charities through tennis events. While the award spotlights individuals who 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. 2018 Honorees: Matthew Hanlin and Brett Hall

USPTA 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. 2018 Honorees: Angelica Flores LaGrange and Ryan Segelke

USPTA U30 Award The USPTA U30 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. 2018 Honorees: Rebekah Noll

Manager of the Year Award, Large and Small Facility The only USPTA award available to nonmembers is for Manager of the Year, Large and Small Facility, however, each year a USPTA Professional has received the award, sometimes along with a nonmember. Applicants/nominees must be the general manager (in function, if not in title) of a club or tennis facility. 2018 Large Facility Honoree: Michael Mahoney 2018 Small Facility Honoree: Jerod Becton

For contacts and deadlines for division awards, click here.

Posted on February 19, 2019
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