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1998 Hall of Fame Inductions
People Who Changed The Game
In 1998, we inducted 5 women into the Hall of Fame. Each of their legacies has created a lasting impact on the sport of tennis and will for the rest of time.
Inductees
Dorothy 'Dodo' Bundy Cheney
Capturing her first national title in 1941, Dorothy ‘Dodo’ Bundy Cheney (b.1916) won nearly 300 USTA championships over the next six decades. The daughter of tennis pioneer May Sutton, Cheney learned the game from her Aunt Florence, adopting her mother’s famous Western forehand. She broke into the USTA Top 10 in 1936 and two years later became the first American woman to win the Australian singles title.
Cheney entered Rollins College while continuing to compete nationally, taking the U.S. Clay Court singles title in 1944. She rejoined the international circuit after World War II, reaching the mixed doubles finals at Wimbledon and French Open in 1946 – the same year she married pilot Art Cheney. After a nine-year hiatus, she broke back into the USTA Top 10 in 1955. In 1957, she started competing at the senior level, launching a record-setting winning streak that may never be equalled.
Cheney entered Rollins College while continuing to compete nationally, taking the U.S. Clay Court singles title in 1944. She rejoined the international circuit after World War II, reaching the mixed doubles finals at Wimbledon and French Open in 1946 – the same year she married pilot Art Cheney. After a nine-year hiatus, she broke back into the USTA Top 10 in 1955. In 1957, she started competing at the senior level, launching a record-setting winning streak that may never be equalled.
Gladys M. Heldman
Dynamic, strong-minded and gutsy, Gladys M. Heldman (b.1922) fought and won the battle for parity in women’s professional tennis. A Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Stanford, Heldman took up tennis at age 25 following her marriage to scientist Julius Heldman, former U.S. junior champion. She became devoted to the game, achieving a ranking within two years and competing at Forest Hills and Wimbledon.
In 1953, she founded World Tennis magazine. During her highly successful 20-year tenure as magazine editor and publisher, Heldman served as a leading advocate for players. In 1970, with women receiving a fraction of men’s prize money, Heldman organized the first professional tournament for women; she obtained sponsorship from Virginia Slims and launched the women’s pro circuit. In 1979, Heldman joined a select group of non-players to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
In 1953, she founded World Tennis magazine. During her highly successful 20-year tenure as magazine editor and publisher, Heldman served as a leading advocate for players. In 1970, with women receiving a fraction of men’s prize money, Heldman organized the first professional tournament for women; she obtained sponsorship from Virginia Slims and launched the women’s pro circuit. In 1979, Heldman joined a select group of non-players to be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Julie M. Heldman
Described as both vivacious and pugnacious, Julie Heldman (b.1945) dueled her way to 22 professional titles and helped pioneer the women’s pro circuit. The daughter of junior champion Julius Heldman and World Tennis publisher Gladys Heldman, she grew up with tennis and won her first national title – the Canadian 18 and under singles – at age 12. While a student at Stanford in 1964 she reached the national collegiate singles and doubles finals.
Heldman enjoyed particular success in international team competition. She played on two championship Fed Cup teams and captured Most Valuable Player honors in Wightman and Bonne Bell Cup play, the latter secured with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Evonne Goolagong in 1974.
Equally talented outside of tennis, Heldman worked as a television commentator and journalist, and was named Law Graduate of the Year at UCLA in 1981. Julie and her husband are now running their own successful business.
Heldman enjoyed particular success in international team competition. She played on two championship Fed Cup teams and captured Most Valuable Player honors in Wightman and Bonne Bell Cup play, the latter secured with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Evonne Goolagong in 1974.
Equally talented outside of tennis, Heldman worked as a television commentator and journalist, and was named Law Graduate of the Year at UCLA in 1981. Julie and her husband are now running their own successful business.
Margaret 'Peggy' Michel
Among the finest players in intercollegiate competition, Peggy Michel (b.1949) went on to international success as a professional. Learning tennis on the public courts of Southern California, Michel entered Arizona State Univeristy in 1968 and was a collegiate singles and doubles finalist in her freshman year. Under Hall of Fame coach Anne Pittman, she helped lead the Sun Devils team to national titles in 1971 and 1972, and captured the doubles title both years.
Turning pro after graduation, Michel traveled to Australia where coach Vic Edwards paired her with his longtime student, Evonne Goolagong. The Michel-Goolagong duo took the world by storm, winning three Grand Slam events and heading up a championship Pittsburgh Triangles team in World Team Tennis. Staying in the game ever since, Michel coached the U.S. Young Cup senior team to four straight international victories from 1995-1998.
Turning pro after graduation, Michel traveled to Australia where coach Vic Edwards paired her with his longtime student, Evonne Goolagong. The Michel-Goolagong duo took the world by storm, winning three Grand Slam events and heading up a championship Pittsburgh Triangles team in World Team Tennis. Staying in the game ever since, Michel coached the U.S. Young Cup senior team to four straight international victories from 1995-1998.
Mildred B. West
With unparalleled drive and dedication, Millie West (b.1934) built a legacy for all future collegiate champions. Arriving at the College of William & Mary in 1959, West rose from instructor to full professor, compiling a 208-28-2 record as tennis coach, and skillfully guiding the athletics program through the turbulent years of Title IX. During her 17-year tenure as women’s athletic director the program budget increased from $19,000 to more than $1 million.
A tireless advocate for women’s tennis, West was honored with the USTA’s Special Merit Award in 1986. She chaired the Wightman Cup matches in the United States throughout the 1980s, featuring such greats as Martina Navratilova and Virginia Wade. Fulfilling a long-held dream, West crowned her career by spearheading construction of the McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center and securing a permanent home for the ITA Women’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame.
A tireless advocate for women’s tennis, West was honored with the USTA’s Special Merit Award in 1986. She chaired the Wightman Cup matches in the United States throughout the 1980s, featuring such greats as Martina Navratilova and Virginia Wade. Fulfilling a long-held dream, West crowned her career by spearheading construction of the McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center and securing a permanent home for the ITA Women’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame.
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