USTA Middle States Hall of Fame

USTA Middle States and the Middle States Tennis Patrons' Foundation  honored four extraordinary individuals at the 2009 USTA Middle States Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Auction held October 23 at the LeMont Restaurant in Pittsburgh. The inductees’ contributions to the sport of tennis as well as USTA Middle States were celebrated in front of more than 250 friends, family and supporters.

Brian Earley, Don Johnson, Peggy Michel and Whitney Snyder joined 73 prior inductees in the prestigious Hall of Fame, which welcomed its inaugural class in 1994. All four individuals have ties to Western Pennsylvania and the Allegheny Mountain District (AMD). Earley, Johnson and Snyder are natives of Western Pa., while Michel was a member of the city’s World TeamTennis team – the Triangles – in 1975. 2009 marks the second time the event was held in the Pittsburgh area and the first since 2001.

Photo courtesy of Pat Benic

AMD is the home of previous inductees Gretchen Rush Magers, Roberta McCallum Russo, Robert G. Ruzanic, Alfred B. Carl, Sr., William Colbert, Charles Stedmen Garland, Dr. David O’Loughlin, Paul G. Sullivan, Martin L. Tressel and the late Ellen Hansell Alderdice.

"This class represents excellent achievement on court with regards to professional accomplishments, and off court on the grassroots and programmatic levels," said Christian Sockel, President, Middle States Tennis Patrons’ Foundation. "The Hall of Fame is the Patrons’ key fundraising opportunity; it benefits the grassroots programs and junior competitors that this class of inductees has already impacted in so many ways."

About the Middle States Hall of Fame
Established in 1994, the mission of the USTA Middle States Hall of Fame is to recognize those Middle States individuals who have made significant achievements in and contributions to the sport of tennis and to become a major fundraising vehicle for the development and support of junior tennis programs and activities.

Some of the sports' greatest icons including Eve Kraft, Billie Jean King, Bill Tilden, Vic Sexias and Bunny Vosters call the Middle States Hall of Fame home. 

For a complete list of past inductees click here .

There are two categories for selection:
Player Category: Players will be chosen on their records of outstanding competitive achievements with consideration given to sportsmanship and character.

Non-Player Category:  This category honors individuals (volunteers, writers, umpires, coaches and others) who have made outstanding contributions to Middle States.

For criteria for Middle States Hall of Fame induction click here.

If you know of someone in Middle States who is deserving of a nomination, please submit a form
no later than January 15, 2010. 

Click here for the form

Middle States Tennis Patrons' Foundation
The mission of the Middle States Tennis Patrons’ Foundation is to develop and support junior tennis programs within USTA Middle States. The Patrons’ Foundation, incorporated in 1973, works in partnership with USTA Middle States to provide financial support for worthy programs and deserving junior players.

The Middle States Tennis Patrons’ Foundation raises money through an annual appeal letter, the USTA Middle States Hall of Fame Dinner and other efforts. The Patrons’ Foundation administers several memorial funds, proceeds of which are used to assist juniors with financial hardships with school and travel expenses. Over the past several years, the Patrons’ Foundation has awarded scholarships to promising juniors, provided grants to youth service organizations, supported wheelchair tennis programs, and assisted in the production of educational materials. For more information on the "Patrons' Foundation," click here.

The 2008 USTA Middle States Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Auction presented by Advanta was a tremendous night to be a tennis fan. Six very deserving inductees, Jane Brown Grimes, Ann Hoffmann, Wallace Johnson, Ed McQuillin, Rose Weinstein and George Wills were enshrined in the prestigious hall on October 24.  Read more about the event.