PLATFORM TENNIS HALL OF FAME
INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED

By Charles E. Vasoll

Five individuals presented by the Hall of Fame Nominating Committee have been approved by the Board of Directors of the American Platform Tennis Association for induction into the Hall of Fame. They are Pat Butterield, Gloria Dillenbeck, Herbert FitzGibbon II, John Mangan and Douglas Russell. Many of today’s players upon hearing of the new honorees might immediately say “Who?” With the possible exception of Doug Russell who is still active in the sport, the names may not be very familiar. In order to understand these selections, it is important to know some background of the platform tennis Hall of Fame.

The tribute to individuals who achieved distinction in the play of the sport or who have otherwise contributed to the growth, development and administration of the game though the Association began in 1965. It was first named the “Honor Award” but the nomenclature was changed to the “Hall of Fame” in 1998 to conform to the more familiar designation in other sports.

The key to the selection of the 2007 candidates is that they were all active in the 1970’s and early 1980’s. From 1979 to 1991, the Honor Award was not administered. When revived in 1992 the nominating committees through the years sought to honor some individuals from that time period. The current Committee, however, determined that there were other individuals who would have been recognized during this hiatus. They nominated them for approval by the APTA Board of Directors this year. I expect that a full dossier for each candidate will be published on the APTA web site and in Platform Tennis magazine in the near future.

The presentations to Pat Butterfield and Gloria Dillenbeck will be made during the lunch hour on Wednesday, February 7 at the Women’s 40/60 National Championships at the Canoe Brook Club in Summit, New Jersey. The ceremony for Herb FitzGibbon, John Mangan and Doug Russell will be held at approximately 6:30 P.M. at the Fox Meadow Tennis Club in Scarsdale, New York on Saturday, February 24. An open invitation is extended to anyone who wishes to be present at these induction ceremonies.

Along with Bob Brown, who chaired the Hall of Fame Committee for 2006-07, with members Deidre Redden, Steve Baird, Walt Peckinpaugh, Patty Hogan and Tim McAvoy, I am pleased to add my congratulations to the future inductees.

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