Chicago’s David Muir Receives USPTA Lifetime Achievement Award
Posted: September 29, 2015 in Suppliers
USPTA
NEW ORLEANS, LA – David Muir of Chicago was honored with the 2015 George Bacso Lifetime Achievement Award by the United States Professional Tennis Association. Muir was recognized during the annual awards ceremony at the USPTA World Conference at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside in New Orleans on Friday, September 25. This award was developed to honor individuals who set the highest standards in volunteerism on behalf of tennis teachers.
Muir is a USPTA Master Professional and has been on the Chicago area coaching scene for more than 60 years. He has taught more than 10,000 people to play tennis.
Muir has coached some of the top teaching pros in the Chicago area today, several national champions, and Illinois High School Champions. During at least one school season, he was the personal coach of the winners of both the Boys’ and Girls’ Illinois State High School Doubles Championships. Always gracious on and off the court, Muir is noted for his mental and psychological coaching abilities, providing his players with great strategic advice and finding the best way to motivate and inspire them.
Muir is a certified high performance coach and holds a Level 1 & 2 USTA Sport Science Certificate. He continues to be an integral part of the local USTA Competition Training Center Program, being a CTC coach for the last 20 years. Muir’s many positions include President of the USPTA Midwest Division, USPTA National Board of Directors, USPTA National President from 1970-1972, Chicago District Tennis Associates Board of Directors, Chicago Indoor Tennis Association Board of Directors 1970-1976, Tournament Director including the National USTA Boys’ 12 Indoor Championship, and Head Coach of the USTA Competition Training Center at Homewood-Flossmoor from 1988-2009.
In 1991, Muir was inducted into the Midwest Professional Tennis Association Hall of Fame. Then in 2005, he was named the Chicago District Tennis Associates Coach of the Year. Muir is a highly accomplished tournament player, winning 11 National Doubles Championships.
In addition to his talents as a coach and a player, he built one of the first indoor tennis clubs in the business, authored a book titled “Congratulations Pro,” originated the Pro Penn tennis ball, and has patents on numerous inventions including a revolutionary tennis center strap design. In 1998 the Chicago Tennis Patrons established the Dave Muir Scholarship Fund to honor Muir’s years of teaching, coaching and mentoring others in the game of tennis. Muir has made an impact on tennis in Chicago as well as on each and every one of his pupils, partners, and business associates.
The USPTA National Awards program is conducted annually. Nominations are submitted by the organization’s 17 divisions and by individuals. Recipients in each category are decided by the USPTA’s awards committee.
