William E. “Slew” Hester JR, Mississippi, 1978, Mississippi, inducted in 1978
- No one knows quite why the wildcatting oilman was called “Slew.”
- In his own words, he liked to “drink all night and play tennis all day.”
- The first United States Tennis Association President from the Deep South.
- During his tenure from 1977-78, “Slew” led the move of the US Open from Forest Hills to its current site in Flushing Meadows.
- One big mistake he made in picking the new location was not realizing planes taking off and landing at LaGuardia Airport next door would be disruptive during play at the Open.
- Planted ivy near the entrance of Flushing Meadows with a handwritten sign that read, “Watch Tradition Grow!”
- Mr. Hester died from congestive heart failure at the age of 80.