BOB BROWN AND TAYLOR BOWEN
DECEMBER 2007

Induction into the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame is the highest award that can be earned in platform tennis. It is presented to individuals who have achieved distinction in the play of platform tennis and/or Induction into the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame is the highest award who have otherwise contributed to the growth, development and administration of the game through the Association. Recipients have also demonstrated a high level of integrity, sportsmanship, and consideration for others and thus earned the respect and admiration for their endeavors in platform tennis.

The award was originally established as "The Honor Award" by the APTA Board of Directors in 1965, and was re-titled "Hall of Fame" in 1998. Between 1965 and 1979 thirty-three individuals were honored. The program was not administered from 1980 to 1991. It was revived in 1992, when three honorees were inducted, at the National Championships held on Long Island. Between 1992 and 2006, additional honorees have been inducted in presentations held at the Fox Meadow Tennis Club in Scarsdale, NY (1993, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007), at National Championships held at the Montclair Golf Club (1995), Pittsburgh Field Club (1997), Exmoor Country Club in Chicago (1998), New York Athletic Club (1999, 2007), Cherry Valley Club in Garden City (2002), Sleepy Hollow Country Club in Scarborough, NY (2003), Cleveland Racquet Club (2004), the Beacon Hill Club (2005), Canoe Brook Country Club (2006, 2007) in Summit, NJ and the Glen View Club in Golf, IL (2006), bringing the total to 69.

Hall of Fame Inductees for 2008 Announced

BOB BROWN
JANUARY 15, 2008

David Kjeldsen
equipment supplier and outstanding supporter

David Kjeldsen was selected, not because of his playing skills, or his administrative contributions but because he went way above and well beyond selling his wares to supporting the growth and vitality of the game. His Viking headgear became a fixture at many tournaments throughout the country as he traveled about watching the sport being played at all levels of talent. His love and devotion to the sport led him to form an active program for the youth, the future of our sport, first with an Adult-Child event and now as the Viking Junior Tour. It is said that he saved the sport by buying the business of vendors who no longer wanted to produce the racquets and balls required to play. This was not for financial gain but because of his passion for platform tennis.

Flip Goodspeed and Scott Mansager
with 7 national championships

Achieved distinction in the play of platform tennis is one of the qualities by which nominees for the Hall of Fame are judged. The team of Flip Goodspeed and Scott Mansager pass that test with flying colors. From 1996 to 2007 they dominated the men's circuit winning seven National Championships with five in succession from 1996 to 2000. That is a record for the sport. They also have the highest winning percentage of teams reaching the Men's finals at 78% winning seven of the nine in which they played. These are truly Hall of Fame accomplishments.

Fritz Odenbach
senior champion and perennial volunteer

Completing the Hall of Fame class of 2008 is Fritz Odenbach. A second means to qualify for the Hall of Fame is by having contributed to the growth and development of the game. Although his playing achievements are not to be overlooked, (He won the Senior Men's 45+ in 2006) his work in making Rochester, New York a Paddle Mecca and giving of time and effort to the APTA are the principal attributes for his selection. He will be chairing his fourth Men's and Women's National Championships in March, and served on the APTA Board of Directors on two occasions from 1984 to 1987 and again from 2000 to 2006.

Members of the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame

* Deceased (as of 012-31-07)

The Sixties

1965 Madeline Beck*, Fessenden S. Blanchard*, James K. Cogswell, Jr.*, Clifford Couch*, Kitty Fuller*, Earle Gatchell*, Richard K. Hebard*, James Hynson*, Charles O'Hearn*, Kenneth Ward*
1966 James Carlisle*, Don K. Evans*, Harold Holmes*, Barbara Koegel*, Charlotte Lee*, Marie (Mrs. C. H.) Walker*, Fred Walker*
1967 Walter Close*, John A. Stephenson*, Clifford S. Sutter*
1968 Oscar Moore*
1969 George Harrison*, William Pardoe*

The Seventies

1970 Elfie Carroll*, Alexander Carver*, Mary A. Moore*
1972 Philip W. Osborne
1973 Gordon S. Gray*
1974 Richard J. Reilly, Jr.
1976 John R. Moses*, Susan Wasch
1979 Eldredge L. Bermingham, Peggy Stanton

The APTA Hall of Fame Committee

The Hall of Fame Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors to include former Hall of Fame inductees and current and past Directors of the APTA. The members of the Hall of Fame Committee are:

Robert A. Brown, Chairman
Stephen W. Baird, Vice Chairman
Tim McAvoy, Secretary
Patty Hogan
Walter Peckinpaugh
Deirdre Redden
Charles E. Vasoll

If you would like to nominate someone for exemplary performance or contributions to the game, you can submit a nomination to the APTA.