Tim Ancona

OWNER

"I can't recall a time when I didn't want to own my own business. As a child, I started small businesses, and I was fortunate enough to start my first real company, Ticomix, in 2000. Our goal was to provide small companies with the same technology expertise as large companies. Over the past decade, we have sold various divisions of Ticomix, and our largest sale was when we sold Aptris, a division, to CDW, a Fortune 200 Company, in 2019. A shoulder injury forced me to stop playing tennis a few years ago, and I switched to Pickleball. Unfortunately, my wife Karen and I could not find a place to play in Rockford, so we looked for an opportunity to open a Pickleball Club in the area, and that's how Victory came about."

Elisha Hougland

HEAD PICKLEBALL INSTRUCTOR

"I'm Elisha Hougland, and I'm a devoted follower of Jesus Christ. Aside from my faith, I take pride in being a loving husband to my wife, Lauren, and a caring father to our daughter, Alina. For over ten years, my focus has been on tennis coaching, and I've had the privilege of sharing my expertise with a wide range of people. Recently, I've also taken up pickleball coaching, which has allowed me to expand my skill set and gain even more enriching coaching experience."

Jen Lassandro

RESIDENT SENIOR TEACHING PRO

"I'm a Rockford native who grew up playing tennis. I was one of 50 NIU women athletes honored last year for the 50th anniversary of Title IX. I'm a two-time Mid-Continent Conference Player of the Year at NIU and a gold medalist at the APP Sacramento Open. I proudly wear the honor of being the only conference tennis champ in NIU history and the Mid-Continent Conference Player of the Year in both 1993 and 1994. I fell in love with pickleball in the last few years, quickly transitioned from tennis, and ranked in the top 10 in the world for women senior pro pickleball players. This is my hometown, my community, and I'm so excited to be a part of Victory."

Sean O'Keefe

GENERAL MANAGER FOR FOOD AND BEVERAGES

"I’m originally from Florida, just a stone's throw away from Disney World. I've been playing Pickleball for quite some time now and it's a sport that I really enjoy. That's why when I got the chance to join the Victory team, I knew it was the perfect opportunity for me. I have been working in the hospitality industry for 23 years now, primarily focusing on food and beverage. Apart from Pickleball, I have a keen interest in collecting bourbon and playing golf regularly. When I am not busy, I like to spend quality time with my family."

Bill Cote

GENERAL MANAGER OF FACILITIES AND PICKLEBALL

"I have been playing pickleball since the fall of 2018 and I fell in love with it immediately! This sport not only provides a great social atmosphere, but it's also so much fun that you won't even realize you're getting a workout in. Pickleball has helped me lose 86 lbs and I am now a certified instructor with a passion for teaching and helping others. I'm thrilled to be joining Victory's team to utilize my professional experience, share my love and passion for the sport and community, and surround myself with something that brings me joy every day!"

Tiffany Miller

MARKETING MANAGER

"I have been using my creative skills to help businesses grow for many years. When I was presented with the opportunity to work with Victory, I knew I had to jump on it. Victory is bringing something truly remarkable to the community, and I could not be more excited to be a part of it and bring my talents here. Talking with Tim, I could see the passion he has for this place, and I am thrilled to be a part of such an amazing facility and team."