TO TELL OR NOT TO TELL, THAT IS THE QUESTION
By Charles E. Vasoll

Since the 1991-1992 season when it was called the “Honor Award”, the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame, has been actively awarded again.  Presentations are made to men and women who have excelled in the playing of the sport or made other contributions worthy of this recognition.  I have been appointed to that Committee by the Board of Directors of the APTA and have proudly served for many years.  After making the decision on candidates to recommend to the Board of Directors for induction and after their approval, one problem has faced the committee every year.  Should the candidate be told of his or her election or should it come as a “surprise” at an affair that they will surely attend?

This year two candidates were approved to be inducted, Cindy Prendergast of Wilmington, Delaware and Alan Graham of Evanston, Illinois.  It was clearly the wish of those who nominated Cindy that she be inducted at the APTA Nationals in Philadelphia last month.  Likewise, but in the opposite way, those nominating Alan wanted to surprise him at the year-end party held each season for the Chicago Men’s League.  In both cases the Committee bowed to the wishes of the persons who were active in making the nomination.  Cindy was aware of the honor to be bestowed upon her and prepared her acceptance presentation, which included her partners and others who were involved in her activities in platform tennis.  On the other hand, Alan was taken by complete surprise and was not prepared for the occasion.  Although both inductees were pleased and gracious in their acceptance, there was obviously a difference in the circumstances for each of them.  Which is the correct approach has been bantered about since the award was revived almost twenty years ago.

Historically, when the APTA began making the award in 1965, the honoree, in most cases, was not aware of the honor to be bestowed.  It was done at the Annual Membership Meeting in New York City and secrecy was strongly the order of the day.  Other sports, however, revel in the media headlines of the selections before the actual induction ceremony is performed.  So, should the inductee be told what is about to happen or should it be a covert operation?

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