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2019 Hall of Fame Inductions
People Who Changed The Game
In 2019, we inducted 4 incredible 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
Dr. Ann Lebedeff
When it comes to tennis, Ann Lebedeff sees it as more than just a game; it’s an opportunity to present the best version of yourself and connect with those around you. “It’s not just how you perform, it’s how you display yourself on the court,” Lebedeff says. “Strive to be the best. The most fair. The kindest. Because that’s what people will remember.”
Ann’s introduction to tennis began around age 11 when her father, an avid tennis player, built a court at the family’s house. That home tennis court proved to be well worth it, providing Lebedeff with the jumpstart she needed to eventually become an all-star tennis player and coach. Her career is filled with accolades, including five national Wilson ITA Coach of the Year Awards, Wilson ITA Coach of the Decade (1990s) for Division II women’s tennis, ITA’s Rolex Meritorious Service Award and many more. Her legacy was set in stone with the recent creation of the ITA Ann Lebedeff Leadership Award, which was endowed by her friend and tennis legend, Billie Jean King.
With 40 years of coaching and over 650 wins, Lebedeff remains just as humble as she was before her first career victory. “Honestly, I don’t count the wins,” Lebedeff says. “What matters most is the stories, experiences and relationships within the team. Twenty years from now, these players are going to remember their friends. The wins and losses fall in the background.”
Lebedeff is also a professor of physical education, has served as NCAA Division III Women’s chairperson, ITA national chairperson and has been on the board of other various committees. Off the court, Lebedeff works part time on speaking engagements where she takes the message of teamwork off the court and into the boardroom to help businesses flourish.
Ann’s introduction to tennis began around age 11 when her father, an avid tennis player, built a court at the family’s house. That home tennis court proved to be well worth it, providing Lebedeff with the jumpstart she needed to eventually become an all-star tennis player and coach. Her career is filled with accolades, including five national Wilson ITA Coach of the Year Awards, Wilson ITA Coach of the Decade (1990s) for Division II women’s tennis, ITA’s Rolex Meritorious Service Award and many more. Her legacy was set in stone with the recent creation of the ITA Ann Lebedeff Leadership Award, which was endowed by her friend and tennis legend, Billie Jean King.
With 40 years of coaching and over 650 wins, Lebedeff remains just as humble as she was before her first career victory. “Honestly, I don’t count the wins,” Lebedeff says. “What matters most is the stories, experiences and relationships within the team. Twenty years from now, these players are going to remember their friends. The wins and losses fall in the background.”
Lebedeff is also a professor of physical education, has served as NCAA Division III Women’s chairperson, ITA national chairperson and has been on the board of other various committees. Off the court, Lebedeff works part time on speaking engagements where she takes the message of teamwork off the court and into the boardroom to help businesses flourish.
Linda Gates
Linda Gates picked up her first tennis racket at the young age of seven. With her brother taking lessons and playing in tournaments, Gates wanted in on the fun. It turns out she had a knack for it. In fact, in just a few short years she reached the #1 ranking in juniors national doubles and #16 in singles. In Northern California, she reached #1 in the age 16 singles and #1 in age 18 singles and doubles.
Winning was great, but it was the pleasure of hitting a tennis ball that she really loved. Gates expressed, “That’s what drove me: the sheer pleasure of the contact.” Although Gates had full scholarship offers from both UC Berkeley and UCLA, she chose an offer of a partial scholarship to play at her dream school: Stanford.
Under the wing of legendary coach Frank Brennan, Gates’ tennis game flourished. She earned All American status every year during her four years at Stanford. She was an NCAA Doubles and Singles Finalist in 1983, Doubles Champion in 1984 and was eventually crowned NCAA Singles and Doubles Champion in 1985. Gates was also the recipient of the 1985 Broderick Award as National Collegiate Player of the Year. But the award she’s most proud of is the Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship Award, which she received in 1984.
Gates took the pro circuit by storm, advancing to the doubles quarter finals of the Australian Open, claiming singles and doubles titles at the OTD International, reaching the finals in the Japan Open and making it to the round of 32 in singles at the US Open. Unfortunately, a year into her pro career, Gates suffered a career-ending shoulder injury. Gates later offered her expertise as a volunteer assistant coach at Santa Clara from 1990–1997 and at her alma mater, Stanford. In 2001, Gates was inducted into the Stanford University Hall of Fame.
Winning was great, but it was the pleasure of hitting a tennis ball that she really loved. Gates expressed, “That’s what drove me: the sheer pleasure of the contact.” Although Gates had full scholarship offers from both UC Berkeley and UCLA, she chose an offer of a partial scholarship to play at her dream school: Stanford.
Under the wing of legendary coach Frank Brennan, Gates’ tennis game flourished. She earned All American status every year during her four years at Stanford. She was an NCAA Doubles and Singles Finalist in 1983, Doubles Champion in 1984 and was eventually crowned NCAA Singles and Doubles Champion in 1985. Gates was also the recipient of the 1985 Broderick Award as National Collegiate Player of the Year. But the award she’s most proud of is the Arthur Ashe Sportsmanship Award, which she received in 1984.
Gates took the pro circuit by storm, advancing to the doubles quarter finals of the Australian Open, claiming singles and doubles titles at the OTD International, reaching the finals in the Japan Open and making it to the round of 32 in singles at the US Open. Unfortunately, a year into her pro career, Gates suffered a career-ending shoulder injury. Gates later offered her expertise as a volunteer assistant coach at Santa Clara from 1990–1997 and at her alma mater, Stanford. In 2001, Gates was inducted into the Stanford University Hall of Fame.
Mary Ellen Grant
When Mary Ellen Gordon was six years old, she joined her parents in a game of tennis. Being a natural athlete, she picked it up quickly, and when it came time to focus on one sport, the option was obvious; she had a passion for tennis that kept her coming back for more.
“There’s always room for improvement,” Gordon says, “which keeps things interesting because you’re always getting better and honing your skills.” Gordon took that work ethic and talent to Emory University, where she helped her team rock the NCAA. “I loved that tennis in college was a team sport,” Gordon says. It helped me find the right motivation to play my best tennis.”
In addition to winning two NCAA Singles titles, Gordon was also the first player in NCAA history to win national doubles titles all four years of her college career. She also helped Emory become the first Division III program to make three consecutive appearances in the team NCAA championship match and propelled the team to national titles in 2003 and 2004. Gordon was the first female in conference history to receive the MVP award every single season of her career. To top off an illustrious career, in 2014 she was inducted into the Emory Sports Hall of Fame.
During her highly decorated college tennis years, Gordon stayed focused on what really mattered: the adventure along the way. “You have to enjoy the journey,” Gordon says. “There’s so much hard work that goes into winning titles, and its not always fun. You have to be in it for the journey and not just the end result.”
Gordon applies many of the same principles she learned in tennis to her career in the tech industry. In her free time, she volunteers for BC4C, a fitness bootcamp in Atlanta that donates all of its proceeds to the local community.
“There’s always room for improvement,” Gordon says, “which keeps things interesting because you’re always getting better and honing your skills.” Gordon took that work ethic and talent to Emory University, where she helped her team rock the NCAA. “I loved that tennis in college was a team sport,” Gordon says. It helped me find the right motivation to play my best tennis.”
In addition to winning two NCAA Singles titles, Gordon was also the first player in NCAA history to win national doubles titles all four years of her college career. She also helped Emory become the first Division III program to make three consecutive appearances in the team NCAA championship match and propelled the team to national titles in 2003 and 2004. Gordon was the first female in conference history to receive the MVP award every single season of her career. To top off an illustrious career, in 2014 she was inducted into the Emory Sports Hall of Fame.
During her highly decorated college tennis years, Gordon stayed focused on what really mattered: the adventure along the way. “You have to enjoy the journey,” Gordon says. “There’s so much hard work that goes into winning titles, and its not always fun. You have to be in it for the journey and not just the end result.”
Gordon applies many of the same principles she learned in tennis to her career in the tech industry. In her free time, she volunteers for BC4C, a fitness bootcamp in Atlanta that donates all of its proceeds to the local community.
Patty Fendick-McCain
When the name Patty Fendick-McCain is brought up, it’s hard to know where to start — her careers as both a player and coach are stacked with accolades.
Upon retiring from professional tennis in 1996, Fendick-McCain accepted the position of Head Women’s Tennis Coach at the University of Washington. She built the program into a top 5 NCAA Division I tennis program and was named Wilson ITA National Coach of the Year in 2004. In 2005, she accepted the position of Head Women’s Tennis Coach at the University of Texas and led the Longhorns to several Big 12 Championships and multiple top 25 national rankings before retiring in 2014. Her teams made the NCAA Tournament in all 17 of her years at the helm.
Her ability to relate to her players came in part from being an excellent player in her own right. Not only did she win two NCAA singles titles while playing for Stanford, she was also named MVP of the NCAA’s All-Decade Team for the 1980s and was selected as the NCAA Division I Women’s Tennis Most Outstanding Student-Athlete of the sport’s first 25 years.
Her professional career highlights include reaching the #4 spot in the world rankings for doubles and #19 for singles, and winning 25 WTA titles in doubles and three in singles. She achieved her most notable Grand Slam results at the Australian Open, reaching the doubles finals in 1988 with Jill Hetherington and taking the title in 1991 with Mary Joe Fernandez. In 2014, Fendick-McCain retired from college coaching to focus more on a highly important piece of her life: her family.
Fendick-McCain is now the CEO of First Serve Consulting, where she offers guidance and planning for prospective tennis players looking to play collegiate tennis.
Upon retiring from professional tennis in 1996, Fendick-McCain accepted the position of Head Women’s Tennis Coach at the University of Washington. She built the program into a top 5 NCAA Division I tennis program and was named Wilson ITA National Coach of the Year in 2004. In 2005, she accepted the position of Head Women’s Tennis Coach at the University of Texas and led the Longhorns to several Big 12 Championships and multiple top 25 national rankings before retiring in 2014. Her teams made the NCAA Tournament in all 17 of her years at the helm.
Her ability to relate to her players came in part from being an excellent player in her own right. Not only did she win two NCAA singles titles while playing for Stanford, she was also named MVP of the NCAA’s All-Decade Team for the 1980s and was selected as the NCAA Division I Women’s Tennis Most Outstanding Student-Athlete of the sport’s first 25 years.
Her professional career highlights include reaching the #4 spot in the world rankings for doubles and #19 for singles, and winning 25 WTA titles in doubles and three in singles. She achieved her most notable Grand Slam results at the Australian Open, reaching the doubles finals in 1988 with Jill Hetherington and taking the title in 1991 with Mary Joe Fernandez. In 2014, Fendick-McCain retired from college coaching to focus more on a highly important piece of her life: her family.
Fendick-McCain is now the CEO of First Serve Consulting, where she offers guidance and planning for prospective tennis players looking to play collegiate tennis.
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