The BCTA hosts the annual BCTA Jr. Classic, a USTA-sanctioned Level 6 tournament for Boys’ and Girls’ 14s, 16s, and 18s.

The Girls 16s’ Memorial Trophy

In Honor of

Ellen Hackett, a long-time Newtown resident who loved all sports, particularly tennis.

Ellen graduated from Archbishop Carroll High School, where she was a member of the varsity girls’ swim team. She later graduated with honors from Bucks County Community College and became a United States Tennis Association tennis instructor, and for seven years, supervised tennis programs for Newtown Township and the Newtown Soccer Association. She also taught at the Frosty Hollow Tennis Center. In addition, Ellen worked as a seasonal playground counselor for Newtown Township Parks and Recreation at its Newtown Middle School site.

In addition to tennis, Ellen played (and refereed) soccer, softball (she was all-star pitcher and named MVP on her championship team in the 1998 Newtown Parks and Recreation League), golf (she won Charlie’s U-Turn Golf tournament Ladies division in both 1991 and 1993), and bowling (she scored in the 200s numerous times). 

Ellen passed away in November 2005, and the effort to name the championship trophy in her memory was spearheaded in 2011 by her late partner, Francis “Fran” Rubert Jr. The BCTA is grateful for Fran’s thoughtfulness and support.

The Boys 16s’ Memorial Trophy

In Honor of

Dr. Barry Sysler, a long-time BCTA volunteer and the original Tournament Director/Referee for the BCTA Jr. Classic. Barry was a certified USTA official with more than a dozen years of experience officiating Division I, II, and III college matches.

He retired from the Bucks County Community College after being a professor at the junior college and university level for 40 years—26 of which he served also as the men's and women's head tennis coach at the Bucks County Community College.

Barry was also the founder and president of Academic Directions, Inc., and for over a decade, assisted families of college-bound youth to find an affordable and successful fit. He was one of the few Certified Educational Planners in the United States to be considered as an expert on the college funding process. He held a Ph.D. from Temple University.

Barry passed away suddenly in February 2014 and the tennis world lost one of its finest overall tennis and education advocates. The BCTA is honored to name the trophies in his memory.