PLATFORM TENNIS MUSEUM
AND HALL OF FAME FOUNDATION

WHAT IS HAPPENING?

By Charles E. Vasoll

As Secretary of the Board of Trustees of the Platform Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame Foundation I can report first-hand that we are still at work. Progress has been slow but as the commercial for Toyota automobiles reminds us, we are “moving forward”. First a short look at where we have been and then something about where we are going.

Probably you are aware that the Foundation’s first plan was to locate the museum building at the Fox Meadow Tennis Club in Scarsdale, NY. Since the club proudly proclaims to be the “Home of Platform Tennis” it was basically expected that, in today’s terminology, it was a “slam dunk”. It did not turn out that way. Opposition by a small number of its members KO’d the project.

The Board of the Foundation immediately began seeking another location in Scarsdale. Why Scarsdale? Simply because that is where the sport was born in 1928. The Trustees turned to the Incorporated Village of Scarsdale, which was working on improving its platform tennis facility at Brite Avenue Park as a possible site for the museum. This avenue had its advantages and its disadvantages.

Working with a public facility, there would be no “membership” to satisfy. However, there is a government body with which to negotiate. Spending taxpayer dollars on a recreation facility, with a somewhat limited appeal, is not a high priority for elected officials. Nevertheless the Foundation’s Trustees have made some progress with the Village and we are continuing to pursue our case with their officials.

It has now been determined, however, not to have “all our eggs in one basket”. Several other locations outside of the Village of Scarsdale are under consideration. The Trustees are considering interest from other platform tennis “hot spots” such as Philadelphia and Chicago. Nothing, I repeat, nothing has been decided. While generally preferring a location in Scarsdale because of the origin and strong history there, all options for a viable site are being considered.

Meanwhile a major concern of the Trustees is the collection and preservation of memorabilia. We are not an “old” sport such as golf or tennis, but we are getting up there in years. The great fear is that items that belong in a museum to commemorate the history of the game will instead find their way into a garbage dump as their owners pass on. Again, the Trustees are moving forward. A committee, including persons dedicated to collecting items of interest, has been appointed and will be contacting those who they believe have worthy items.

The Foundation’s Board of Trustees will be meeting later in January to continue working on plans for the Museum and Hall of Fame. If you want to contribute anything – ideas or memorabilia – you can reach us in any of the following ways:

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 413, Scarsdale, New York 10583

E-mail: ptmuseumhoff@optonline.net

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