2002
B. J. DeBree
National mixed champion 1974, 1975,1976; finalist 1971 and 1977.
National women's champion 1971, 1972, 1973; finalist 1974 and 1976.
Active promoter of platform tennis.
Taught clinics to legions of youngsters with her close friend Nancy Dickson in the Monmouth County area of New Jersey.
APTA Director in the 1970s.
Built a bridge between sportsmanship and competitiveness in sports and in everyday life that earned her admiration from many.
Robin Rich Fulton
Winner of a total of 14 national championships.
7-time women's national champion between 1983-97.
Women's national finalist 1980, 1981, 1982.
National mixed champion 4 times between 1983-92; finalist 7 times.
Women's 40+ national champion 1997; finalist 4 times.
Untiring supporter and promoter of the game.
A driving force behind the establishment of the Viking Cup, a regionally conducted adult-child competition aimed at promoting the sport and sportsmanship to the next generation of younger players.
Paul G. Sullivan
In the 1950s and 60s he was a guy in the trenches who, over many years, made an impressive contribution to the game.
APTA President 1964-65.
APTA Director for many years – secretary, treasurer, vice- president and chairman of the nominating committee.
Developed the first APTA Newsletter to better communicate with the association's growing membership.
Formed the Umpires Committee for professional umpiring for National Championships.
Began the tradition of moving the National Championships (away from Fox Meadow Tennis Club where they were held almost forever).
Started the APTA Honor Award in 1965 to identify and honor people of distinction in platform tennis, now known as the Hall of Fame.
2003
Robert R. Kingsbury
APTA President 1978-80 at a time when business.
National champion 1972, 1973; finalist 1970, 1971, 1975.
Instrumental in developing sponsors for the game during the time that many top players were tennis and platform tennis Hertz).
Worked with R.J. Reilly to install a court in front of the Burlington Building on 6th Ave. in New York where noon exhibitions were held.
Organized the world platform tennis championships played in Forest Hills at the West Side Tennis Club.
Richard C. Squires
Swashbuckling promoter of the game.
Flamboyant individual who became a leader in the growth of paddle and in opening up new frontiers.
He wore pink sweaters, a paddle glove, and hit shots behind his back in the fifth set of the finals.
National champion 1966.
The paddle entrepreneur produced two paddle instructional films and became a court builder.
The driving force behind televised matches in 1973.
Opened the first commercial paddle center on a rooftop in mid-town Manhattan.
Author of the definitive book on the sport, How to Play Platform Tennis
2004
Gerald Manold
Driving force for Florham Park paddle, NJ, league play, and senior competition.
Established the 60s and 65s age categories for senior competition.
Senior national champion 1979, 1980, 1981 and 1990.
APTA Director.
Frequent APTA chair umpire.
Walter Peckinpaugh
While being a serious player and competitor, his true legacy has been in organizational leadership, vision, promotion, tournament chairmanship and technical competence.
APTA Director for 12 years in the 1980s and 90s.
Nationals Chair in 1997 and 1993 in Cleveland.
Ran 4 National Seniors events, 10 regional events and countless local championships.
Reorganized the APTA regions and started more national ranking tournaments outside of the east coast.
Diane Tucker
A truly outstanding player for more than 3 decades, a role model, and a highly respected leader.
Winner of 6 women's national championships.
Winner of 2 national mixed and 7 women' s senior titles.
Known for her demeanor – how she smiled when either winning or losing.
Reorganized the APTA regions and started more national ranking tournaments outside of the east coast..
2005
David L. Childs and William P. Childs
As partners, winners of 11 senior nationals titles from 1987-2001.
APTA Directors.
Chairs of 6 national championship events.
Conducted clinics for more than 15 years.
Leaders in the promotion and growth of platform tennis in Hartford and Baltimore.
Patricia M. Hogan
A champion, a coach, and a leader who has contributed significantly to the growth and development of platform tennis, especially among the youth.
Women's national champion 1999, and finalist 7 times.
Women's national 40 and over champion twice.
Three-time mixed nationals champion, and finalist 7 times.
APTA Women's Player Committee Chair.
President of the PPTA.
Tireless promoter of junior programs and credited with revitalizing the National Junior Championships.
Charles E. Vasoll
There is probably no single living individual who has devoted as much of his personal time and effort to the APTA and to the cause of platform tennis.
APTA Director for 13 years; President 1998-92.
Co-editor of Platform Tennis News, the APTA's official publication.
Originated the popular national championship medals.
Integral part of the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame Committee.
Has served for 20 years on the Long Island Platform Tennis Association Board (LIPTA).
Initiated APTA membership for league players.
Revived presentations of the Honor Award in 1992.
His automobile license plate reads, P T NUT.
2006
Sue E. Aery
With Gerri Viant the winningest team ever in the history of women's platform tennis.
Between 1990-2002 this team won 8 national championships; three times they were runners- up.
Mixed national champion 1999.
National 40s champions in 1999 and finalist in 2002.
All told, when you add up Sue and Gerri's national championships you get 23.
With Viant, co-founder of Performance Paddle Camp in 1997.
G. Estabrook Kindred
Continuously served the cause of platform tennis individual.
APTA Director in the 1960s; served 16 years.
Single-handedly produced the APTA newsletter for many years.
Instrumental in the formation and administration of the APTA Umpires Committee.
The driving force behind the Honor Award – now the Hall of Fame; served on the Hall of Fame committee since its inception – 40 years.
Designed the green jacket with the Hall of Fame logo for the men, and the charm bracelet for the women inductees.
Trustee of the Platform Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame Foundation.
Howard A. Sipe
Mister Paddle of Chicago.
Ran the Chicago Charities event with Jack Watson for 25 years.
Started an intermediate level event in the area and now hosts one of the largest B events in the country.
Winner of 6 senior national championships; finalist 7 times.
Consummate teacher.
Geraldine J. Viant
With Sue Aery the winningest team ever in the history of women's platform tennis.
Between 1988 and 2002 this team won 9 national championships; four times they were runners-up.
Mixed national champion 1989 and 2002, finalist in 1988 and 1990.
National 40s champion 1998 and 1999, finalist in 1996, 1997, and 2002.
All told, when you add up Sue and Gerri's national championships you get 23.
With Aery, co-founder of Performance Paddle Camp in 1997.
2007
Patricia Ann Butterfield
One of the premier women platform tennis players in the 1980s.
From 1982-88 she was in six of seven Women' s National Championship finals, winning 3 times and a finalist 3 times.
Relentless on the court; powerful drive, one of the best backhand volleys in the game.
Wonderful ambassador for the sport.
Gloria Dillenbeck Dodd
- The first Executive Director of the APTA, serving from 1975-81. Worked non-stop in her quest to expose newcomers to the game.
Worked on platform tennis promotional events in Hilton Head, SC, and Amelia Island, FL, as well as a Manhattan street corner and a high school gym in New Canaan.
This exposure led to the professional era in platform tennis. Gloria's colorful and vibrant personality were key factors in the growth of platform tennis.
Helped create the President's Cup competition in an effort to keep amateurs fully involved in the sport.
Also a dominant player. Nationals finalist 1969-74. National champion from 1971-73. Mixed Nationals finalist twice, 1974-75
Herbert S. Fitz Gibbon
Came onto the paddle scene in 1973. Former professional tennis player and
Teamed with John Beck, and in the 1973- 74 season they won every event they entered, including the 1974 Men's Nationals.
Revolutionized the game by relentlessly pounding the serve return and an attacking style.
Mixed National Champion in 1975 and 1976 (with B. J. BeBree).
Men's National Champion 1977, 1978; finalist 1980.
Also a picture of good sportsmanship; a gentleman both on and off the court.
John F. Mangan
An outstanding player, an APTA Board Member, a role model and a respected leader.
One of the top players during the 60s, 70s and 80s.
Men's National Champion 1972 and 1973; finalist 1970, 1971 and 1970 (all with Bob Kingsbury).
Mangan and Kingsbury won the first prize money tournament ever, held in 1973 at the Sea Pines Resort in Hilton Head, SC.
The team also won the first nationally televised tournament held in Amelia Island, FL, in 1974.
Mixed National Champion 1970 (with Mrs. David Harris); finalist in 1974 and 1975 (with Gloria Dillenbeck).
Famous for his heavy, top-spin forehand.
An outstanding sportsman and a true gentleman on the court.
Played countless exhibitions all over North America.
Douglas Sands Russell
An outstanding player, a long-time paddle professional, a teacher, an entrepreneur, and author and an ambassador who helped the sport expand throughout the country
Champion, Tribuno World Championships, 1976 (with Gordon Gray). Mixed Nationals Champion, 1977 (with Hilary Hilton).
Men's National Champion, 1979 (with Clark Graebner), and in 1984 (with Bob Kleinert).Men's National finalist 1982-83, 1985. Men's Singles National Champion five times between 1980-87. Men's 55+ National Champion in 2001 and 2003. 60+ National Champion 2004, 2005 and 2006.
Ran the Manhattan Platform Tennis Club and The Apple Platform Tennis Club
Had his own autograph paddle with Marcraft, the first by any athlete in our sport.
Authored a book on platform tennis.
Instrumental in starting the Professional Platform Tennis Teaching Association.
2008
David Kjeldsen
Recognized
for his passion for the sport, his dedication to its growth, and his
countless sacrifices for the game – not his prowess on the court
Instrumental
in preserving the sport at a time when the major platform tennis
equipment suppliers were getting out of the business.
Founded Viking Athletics in 1995.
Contributed to the APTA to develop its first Web sites.
Made the initial investment for the formation of the Professional Platform Tennis Association.
Made the first contribution to the Platform Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame Foundation.
Sponsors national Juniors programs and events (Viking Junior Tour, Viking Cup [child/adult team tournament]).
Founder of Viking Academy for instruction in the sport.
Easily recognized at events by his horned Viking hat.
Fritz Odenbach
While
he achieved a national ranking as high as #5 during his long
association with platform tennis, Odenbach is recognized for overall
his contributions to the game.
National Men’s 45s winner in 2006; runner-up in 2000.
National Open Husband-Wife finalist 2007.
Has won numerous regional (mostly national ranking) tournaments in Rochester, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Toronto.
Served on the APTA Board twice – 1984-87 (as President of original Region VI), and also 2000-2006.
Head of Men’s Ranking Committee for more than 20 years.
Tournament Chair for the National Championships in 1988, 1996, 2000 and 2008.
Helped build 2 public courts at family-owned Shadow Lake in Rochester; today they have 5.
Host of the Shadow Lake Tournament for 29 consecutive years.
Instrumental in making Rochester the paddle Mecca that it is.
The consummate ambassador of the game and a friend to all.