ORLANDO, Fla - Anthony DeCecco of Exton, Pennsylvania was honored with the 2017 Alex Gordon Professional of the Year Award by the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) during the Awards Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 13 at the NEXT Generation: A Tennis Innovation Workshop powered by USTA & USPTA  at the Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld.

The professional of the year is judged in seven areas, including contributions to USPTA and USTA; as a teaching professional, player and coach; education, research and publications; organizational affiliations; and contributions to the community.

DeCecco first began as a tennis-teaching professional at a local Country Club and eventually worked his way up to Tennis Director. He later became Head Professional at Pickering Valley Racquet Club, where he served as tennis director there for 10 years before ultimately buying the business in 1997. In 2004, he purchased the surrounding land and buildings, which has since become Tennis Addiction Sports Club. Tennis Addiction, which boasts more than 1000 adult members and 400+ juniors, has won the USTA's “Premier Facility” award every year since its inception in 2013.

DeCecco has served as the USPTA Middle States District President, First Vice President, Second Vice President, and Past President. In 2016, he coached Downingtown East High School tennis team to a 14-2 overall record with the doubles team making it to the semifinals of the state championships.

For more than two-decades, Anthony partnered with Camphill Special Needs School, hosting an annual Gala/Pro-Am Tennis Tournament which has raised more than $3 million dollars with the proceeds going to building a kindergarten and an additional wing at the school. DeCecco currently coaches' boys and girls high school tennis and is on court up to 40 hours a week running programs at the West Chester Golf and Country Club in addition to being the Chief Executive Officer at Tennis Addiction.