Tom Sweitzer, 2008 USPTA Professional of the Year

 

USPTA Awards Program

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.

Don't let your fellow USPTA professional go unnoticed. USPTA is looking for deserving tennis professionals who are growing the game of tennis as it accepts nominations for the 2009 international awards program. Awards are presented in every facet of the tennis business in which USPTA members work.

Details
Awards period - July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009
Nominations due - July 3, 2009
Eligible members - Certified Professional-level members*
Applications available - at below or by request at 800-877-8248 or pr@uspta.org
*Nonmembers may apply for Facility Manager of the Year

USPTA award categories include:
USPTA Stars are members who have dedicated many years to volunteering in grassroots tennis, and through initiatives incorporating multicultural and other aspects, 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. (Rules)

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. The recipient of this award will receive a $1,000 grant from the Tennis Industry Association and a Tennis Tutor ball machine from Sports Tutor for use in his or her grassroots programs. (Rules)

The Alex Gordon Award for Professional of the Year 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. (Rules)

The only USPTA award available to nonmembers is for Facility Manager of the Year, 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. (Rules)

College Coach of the Year and High School Coach of the Year award recipients are usually selected based on their results as team coaches, however individual coaches may be considered. The Touring Coach of the Year is selected on the basis of his or her work with professional-level players. (Rules)

Players who have been the most successful at the USPTA International Championships, as well as international, national and sectional competition may apply for the Player of the Year award. The eight categories for this award are: Men's open, women's open, men's 35-and-over, women's 35-and-over, men's 45-and-over, women's 45-and-over, and men's 55-and-over and women's 55-and-over. (Rules)

The George Bacso Tester of the Year award recognizes the USPTA tester who does the most to advance certification opportunities and the certification process. (Rules)

The USPTA Lessons for LifeTM  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. (Rules)

The USPTA Tennis Across AmericaTM Award recognizes those USPTA members who have done the most to get people to play tennis. Established in 1990, TAA is the original, free, grassroots lesson program. It also has a multicultural segment that targets various communities and potential players who may not otherwise have the opportunity to play. While the award does look at individuals who have held the most free clinics with the greatest number of participants, it also looks at individuals hosting the most creative, original or unique free tennis event to get people to play the game. (Rules)

Nominations for the above international 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. The nomination forms available above are Microsoft Word documents that may be completed in the program and then forwarded to USPTA by mail and/or e-mail, or printed, completed by typewriter and mailed to USPTA. Send e-mail applications and questions to pr@uspta.org. The entire application and ALL supporting materials must be received on or before July 3 to be considered.

Another award is the USTA/USPTA Community Service Award. This award is given to a USPTA member active in community service on behalf of the USTA. The USTA and USPTA jointly choose the recipient.

Division awards
USPTA divisions may nominate themselves for the following awards:

In addition, there are special awards for which individuals cannot apply, but must be nominated and approved by the USPTA Executive Committee. These are:

Each year, USPTA's awards are presented during the World Conference on Tennis. The 2009 World Conference is Sept. 21-26 on Marco Island, Fla. The awards presentation will take place during this week. Award recipients are notified in advance so that they may attend.