A tribute to George Bacso

 USPTA members, who participate in Tennis Across America during May, as well as Tennis Around the World and Little Tennis, participate in another special event honoring a longtime USPTA member and leader: George Bacso Month. The late Bacso was a 32-year USPTA member, national president and longtime director of certification and academies. As the Association's "teacher of teachers," Bacso encouraged many USPTA members to become better instructors. Consistent with the theme of Tennis Across America, Bacso's goal was that every new player would receive the best first lesson possible from a USPTA Professional and become a lifelong player.

George Bacso, who passed away in 1998, also was instrumental in developing what is today one of the world’s most comprehensive systems for certifying tennis teachers and traveled the world training tennis teachers. He is one of only six members of USPTA’s Hall of Fame and was a recipient of USTA's Educational Merit Award.

“For nearly half a century, George Bacso taught thousands of tennis-teaching professionals how to be better teachers and improve their livelihood through the tennis profession,” said USPTA CEO Tim Heckler. “At the same time, he worked with countless players of all ages and skill levels. It’s fitting that USPTA remembers his spirit and dedication to the sport through this month-long celebration.”

In 1998, USPTA’s Executive Committee awarded Bacso with the inaugural George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award, developed to honor individuals who set the highest standards in volunteerism on behalf of tennis teachers. In 2000, the committee designated May as George Bacso Month so that all the month’s activities could be celebrated in one special occasion:

• May is celebrated as Tennis Across America Month, however, the free clinics are held by individual USPTA members throughout the month of May and the whole spring season. More than 2,000 USPTA professionals and volunteers run clinics in more than 350 cities each year.
• Run in conjunction with Tennis Across America and George Bacso Month is Tennis Around the World. USPTA asks its international members and international teaching organizations to participate in the promotion of tennis to new, former and current players of all ages throughout the world. Tennis Around the World has been celebrated in countries including Bahrain, England, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Japan, Malaysia and many more.
• The third component of George Bacso Month is USPTA’s Little Tennis. Little Tennis clinics may be run as part of the Tennis Across America program as promotional clinics kicking off a springtime children’s program.