webmaster, Author at Southern Tennis Patrons Foundation

Jan 10 2016

Robert Piatt, Kentucky, 1982

Robert Piatt, Kentucky, inducted in 1982

Good player but most of his contributions to the game of tennis were made as an administrator.
President of the Southern Lawn Tennis Association in 1952-1953.
President of the Kentucky Tennis Association in 1952.
President of the Kentucky Tennis Patrons Foundation in 1952.
Instrumental in bringing two Davis Cup ties to Kentucky-the United States vs. Japan in 1951 and Australia vs. Brazil in 1955.
He also brought the Southern Tennis Championships to the Louisville Boat Club in 1946 and 1950.
Piatt passed away as any player and fan of the game would like, while playing tennis at the Louisville Boat Club.

Jan 10 2016

Ruth Lay, Georgia, inducted in 1982

Began tennis career early on her high school clay courts in Vienna, Georgia and went on to play at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia.
Instrumental in starting ALTA League play in Atlanta, Georgia.
Received the USTA Service Bowl, Southern Tennis Association Touchstone Trophy, and Jacobs Bowl.
Member of the Georgia Tennis Association and USPTA Southern Division Halls of Fame.
Began her coaching career at the Cumberland Indoor Tennis Center.
Over 50 of the athletes she helped mentor and coach over the years received college scholarships, with several receiving All-American honors
Ruth passed away peacefully in her sleep in 2013 at the age of 87.

Jan 10 2016

Natalie Cohen, Georgia, inducted 1982

Lifelong resident of Atlanta, Georgia who began playing tennis at age eight.
Served as Executive Secretary of the Southern Tennis Association for 13 years.
Won 13 Georgia State Women’s Open Doubles Championships.
Certified USTA Umpire for over 50 years.
Served as the first female umpire for the NCAA Men’s Tennis Championships.
Received the Marlborough Award from World Tennis Magazine, Jacobs Bowl from the Southern Tennis Association, and the Georgia Tennis Association’s Service Award.
Awarded the Presidential Sports Award from President Gerald Ford.

Jan 10 2016

Dan Magill, Georgia, inducted in 1981

Head tennis coach at the University of Georgia for 34 years with a 706-183 record, making him the winningest coach in NCAA Division I history.
His teams won 13 Southeastern Conference Titles and two National Team Championships.
Brought the ITA Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame to Athens, Georgia in 1984.
Relinquished his head coaching job in 1988 to become Georgia’s Director of Tennis.
Member of the Chi Phi Fraternity before entering the Marine Corps during WWII.
Received his Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from UGA and wrote for the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Married Rosemary Reynaud from New Orleans and has three children.

Jan 10 2016

Doris Jane Hart, Florida, inducted in 1981

Began playing tennis as therapy for knee infection during childhood that nearly crippled her for life.
Winner of 35 major championships (Australian, French, Wimbledon, United States.)
Won all 12 of the Grand Slam titles at least once.
Ranked in the U.S. top ten for 14 consecutive years 1942-1955.
Ranked number one in the United States in 1954-55 and top ten in the world for ten consecutive years.
Won singles, doubles, and mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 1951, losing only one set in two weeks.
Won the French doubles with Shirley Fry five straight times in 1959-1954.