2015
KATRINA ADAMS
Katrina Adams, a Chicago native, immersed herself in tennis at age six and has not spent a day without it since, Adams, who currently lives in White Plains, N.Y, was appointed the Chairman of the Board, CEO and President of the United States Tennis Association in January, in her now role, Adams is the first African American, first former professional tennis player and youngest person to serve as the association's Chairman of the Board, CEO and President, "Being the USTA President allows me to use the knowledge and experience that I have gained as a grass-roots player, junior competitive player, high school and collegiate player and into a successful professional career," Adams said, "These invaluable experiences allow me to see our organization unlike anyone before me.”
Adams previously served as the First Vice President of the USTA (2013-14), Vice President (2011- 12) and as a Director at Large (2005-10), “Katrina brings a rare combination of passion for tennis, intelligence, creativity and commitment to everything she doos," Gordon Smith, USTA executive director and chief operating officer said, "She is the embodiment of everything the USTA aspires to be.”
As a child, Adams started playing tennis at a summer program sponsored by the Dr. Martin Luther King Boys Club, where her brothers were enrolled, “I was a tag-along sister, who sat outside the fence for two weeks until my bogging and postering got to the coaches and club supervisor, who then allowed mo to participate," Adars said. "At the and of the summer session, I was the most improved player and I continued once a week through winter with one of the coaches, who saw potential in me.” Adams went on to attend Northwestern University, majoring in communications, and helped the Wildcats to a Big Ten championship in 1986 and 1987, She was awarded Intercollegiate Tennis Association Rookie of the Year in 1986, NCAA All-American in 1986 and 1987, and in 1987 became the first African-American NCAA doubles champion.
As an accomplished pro, Adars played for 12 years on the WIA tour and was ranked as high as No. 67 in singles and No. B in doubles. Sho captured 20 career doubles titles. Adams served on the Board of Directors of the WIA as a player representative for four one-year terms and on the WTAS Players Association for five two-year terms.
Adams was inducted into the Northwestern Hall of Fame in 1998 and earned the WA's Player Service Award in 1996 and 1997. In addition, she received the WA Althea Gibson Award in 2003, and was inducted into the USTA Midwest Section Hall of Fame in 2005, the Chicago District Tennis Hall of Fame in 2008 and the Black Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012. As a New York resident since 2005, Adams is honored to add Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame inductee to her list of achievements.
"I am so honored and humbled to be thought of in this light," Adams said. "There are so many wonderful people who have been inducted before me and are being inducted alongside me that I couldn't be more proud to say that I live in the Eastern Section, as it is rich in tennis history and success.
In addition to her duties with the USTA, Adams works as a contributor on CBS Sports Network's first all-female sports show, "We Need to Talk," and as a television analyst for Tennis Channel. She also is a contributor to Tennis Magazine and tennis.com, providing instruction articles and videos, and serves as the Executive Director of the Harlem Junior Tennis and Education Program (HJTEP) in New York City.
"When I started at HTEP, we were serving 80 students, and have since served over 1,000 annually for the last seven years," Adams said. "Our core program, which operates after school, serves 150 students who participate on a seasonal schedule, and in some or all components that offer tennis, tutoring, mentoring and wellness support."
As a true advocate of tennis, Adams acknowledges the sport as one that can be played for a lifetime. "Tennis provides a platform to challenge your inner-self on life skills, character-building, and is an opportunity for you to learn how to deal with and approach adversity, as well as split decision making," Adams said. "I can go on and on, but I think one would understand why I'm so passionate about a sport that has given me everything."
MEL DIGIACOMO
Mel DiGiacomo has been a staple at the US Open for the last 44 years.
Whether it is down on the court, in the stands or directly alongside the players, DiGiacomo is there with his camera in hand. In addition to the US Open, DiGiacomo has traveled the world to photograph a variety of sports and events.
The North Bergen, N.J. native currently lives in Harrington Park, N.J.. where he has proudly resided for the last 40 years. “It's remarkable that Harrington Park, a 4,800 person town, has two residents in the Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame," DiGiacomo said. "Neil Amdur, the former Sports Editor for The New York Times and me."
DiGiacomo began his career at CBS as an usher and worked his way up to Production Supervisor for "60 Minutes." After working for CBS for ten years, he decided to become a photographer when he was 27 years old. "My friend photographed my semi-pro football practices on the weekends and I always made fun of his photos," DiGiacomo said. One day, he joked if you're so good, get a camera,' so I bought one, put it together and told him that's what I wanted to do with the rest of my life."
A year later, DiGiacomo moved to England to photograph rugby, then moved back to the United States and photographed hockey at Madison Square Garden. "A publisher hired me to make a hockey book," DiGiacomo said. *Gene Scott, Founder of Tennis Week magazine, saw it and wanted the same thing, only for tennis." DiGiacomo didn't play tennis and, at the time, had never seen a tennis match. As someone who was familiar photographing football, DiGiacomo began shooting tennis matches with a football lens. The different lens gave him a now perspective on the game, which made him take photos in a way no one else did.
"In those days, you could get close to the players," DiGiacomo said. "I used to shoot everything in black and white and in a very photo-journalist style, which was another thing people hadn't been doing."
DiGiacomo’s photos have been featured in several publications including Sports Illustrated, Tennis Magazine, Newsweek and Lite Magazine. His new style of shooting and vivacious personality greatly influenced his fellow photographers. "He's a wonderful person to be around because he is so friendly." Bob Litwin, a close friend of DiGiacomo's said. "Even with really famous people he becomes a friend, not just a photographer."
Throughout DiGiacomo’s time at the Virginia Slims Circuit and US Open, he interacted with several professional players, writers and fans including Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Jimmy Connors, Arthur Ashe, Martina Navratilova and Mary Carillo. Outside of sports, DiGiacomo photographed a number of weddings, specifically tennis weddings. The first wedding he shot was Jeanie Brinkman’s, the Director of the Virginia Slims Circuit.
“I didn't think too much of it,” DiGiacomo said. "Then, 20 years later, I was asked to shoot Jimmy Connors' Manager Karen Scott'$ wedding, and more stemmed from there.” Pam Shriver, a former professional player, Richard Evans, a longtime tennis writer and Gone Scott each requested DiGiacomo for their big day.
DiGiacomo values all of his work, but is most proud of the impact he has made in Antigua photographing the tennis tournament at Curtain Bluff. In his first year shooting there, he noticed the ball boys and girls had bare feet, so he followed them home to their village, Old Road. “I ended up doing a book that had nothing to do with tennis, but also had everything to do with tennis," DiGiacomo said. *I was down there for tennis, but I went into the village to document their stories."
The proceeds from DiGiacomo's photographs go into the "Old Road Fund" to benefit the children in the village. When the fund earns enough money. it goes toward helping the children attend college. DiGincomo has always supported tennis and the people he has met through tennis. He raised both of his children to become tennis players because he values being part of the tennis community and enjoys that tennis is a sport his kids, who are now adults, can play for years to come.
“I owe a lot to tennis because it changed my life,” DiGiacomo said. "It has given me so much, my family too.”
BOB INGERSOLE
Bob Ingersole, Director of Tennis at The West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, N.Y.. has devoted his life to the sport he began playing at age five. The Sydney, Australia native currently lives on Roosevelt Island, N.Y., and is responsible for one of the most historic tennis facilities in the United States.
Due to Ingersole's early interest in the game, he regularly trained and went on to play and captain the tennis team at the University of Newcastle, where he earned a degree in education.
"My father demanded I get an education and a career, so I chose to pursue teaching," Ingersole said. "I taught troubled kids in Australia for two years, received my tenure, then set forth on my tennis dream."
Although Ingersole decided to focus on his career, he still competed in professional tournaments across the world. In 1976, Ingersole moved to New York, where he met his wife-to-be, Dina, on his first day in the City. It didn't take long for Ingersole to make his mark in tennis in the U.S. He worked at the Bonnie Briar Tennis Club in Larchmont, N.Y., then he and his wife ran their own club in Connecticut. Ingersole later became the Tennis Director at Roosevelt Island Racquet Club for 13 years. During that time, Ingersole trained several nationally ranked juniors, and quickly learned that, for him, it was more than just teaching tennis.
"I felt the system could be improved and that the best way to effect change would be from within," Ingersole said. "This was the start of my life volunteering in tennis in the U.S."
Ingersole went on to join the Eastern Junior Competition Committee, and then on to hold a variety of volunteer positions at USTA Eastern. He served on Easter's Board of Directors for 16 years as President, Vice President, Regional President, Treasurer and Delegate (twice). In addition to his positions on the Board, Ingersole was Chair of the Junior Competition Committee and Chair of Easter's Coaches Commission.
At the national level, Ingersole chaired the USTA Nominating Committee, was a member of the USTA Junior Competition Committee for 28 years and has represented Eastern at the International Tennis Federation.
"I thought I was making a difference," Ingersole said. *I am paying back to the game that I love, and the game that has been so good to me."
Through Ingersole's work with juniors. he coached several outstanding players including former pro Justin Gimelstob at the boys" 12s USTA Zone Team Championships. "He was always very supportive." Gimelstob said. "His passion for helping people and for the sport, combined with his knowledge, commitment and work ethic are key ingredients to Bob's success in tennis.
Currently, Ingersole is the President of the Junior Tennis Foundation (JTF), Chair of the USTA Pro Circuit Committee, and a member of Easter's System Review Task Force. As JTF President, Ingersole has enabled countless children to learn life skills through tennis. "I believe in the profound impact that tennis has in shaping ives." Ingersole said. "Watching people grow through the sport is both exciting and humbling."
In addition, Ingersole created the Star Search Talent identification program which identified athletes at a young age and introduced them to tennis. With help from Easter, Ingersole went into elementary schools and used skills tests to find children who were above average athletes. Those chosen were given scholarships to tennis programs, and were tracked for several years.
"He was a man ahead of his time," Julie Bliss Baal, senior director of competition at USTA Easter said. "The program he created was used as a modal at other clubs because it gave kids who were new to tennis an opportunity to play."
As the Director of Tennis at The West Side Tennis Club for the past 12 years, Ingersole is still providing both kids and adults with the opportunity to play. Through Ingersole's work at the club, he is responsible for 38 courts with four different surfaces facility management of the more than 100-year old facility, all scheduling, tournaments, summer and winter programs and leagues, jet, he still finds time to teach tennis "I always want to be part of the tennis community,” Ingersole said. I think I still have a lot to contribute and l am and raring for more.”
VICTORIA ROGERS MCEVOY
When Victoria Rogers McEvoy from Rye, N.Y. sets a goal for herself, she achieves it. As a former highly-ranked woman and an accomplished medical professional, she is honored to be inducted into the Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame.
Rogers McEvoy began her tennis career at Manursing Island Club in her hometown, and continued to perfect her game at The Bishop's School in La Jolla, Calif. She rose as high as No. 3 among United States women and No. 2 as a junior.
Rogers McEvoy reached the finals of the National Girls' 18 & Under Championships at the Philadelphia Cricket Club in 1967.
She also excelled at the Longwood tournament, taking a set from Margaret Smith Court.
The following year, she traveled to England to compete on the circuit leading up to Wimbledon. While competing professionally, she reached the third round of Wimbledon in singles and in doubles with Marilyn Aschner, a class of 2014 inductee of the Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame. While in England, she also took a set from Virginia Wade.
"Playing Owen Davidson and Billie Jean King with my doubles partner Roy Barth at Wimbledon was one of the highlights of my career." Rogers McEvoy said. "We were brought to our matches in a big black car, and as we got out English school girls, who didn't know who we were, asked for our autographs."
Although Rogers McEvoy has several fond memories of her tennis career, her favorite includes the interaction she had with other players. "To me it was always fun to earn the respect of the other players," Rogers McEvoy said. "It's nice to come up from being an autograph seeker to then having the respect of the players you always admired, who were now maybe a little afraid of playing you."
Despite early success with tennis, Rogers McEvoy decided to leave the sport to pursue a career in the medical field. She attended Harvard Medical School from 1971 to 1975.
Much like in tennis, Rogers McEvoy was successful in accomplishing her goals off the court. Currently. Rogers McEvoy is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School. In addition, she has been the Medical Director and Chief of Pediatrics at Mass General West Medical Group for the last 18 years. Although she remains as Chief of Pediatrics, in October she handed over the reins as the Medical Director.
*I don't know anyone who would rise so high in the U.S. and then quit to become a doctor," Judy Dixon, a close friend of Rogers McEvoy said. Usually people keep going and enjoy the perks of success. She became the best tennis player she could be, and then moved on to the next." Dixon considers Rogers McEvoy to be her oldest friend, as they have known each other since they were 12 years old. The two were doubles partners from age 13 to 18.
After pursuing her medical career and raising a family, Rogers McEvoy returned to the game she found such triumph in 40 years later. She started to make her way back into the tennis world by entering tournaments. Rogers McEvoy also recently served on the Board of the Senior Women's
Tennis Association.
"I started playing here and there for fun, knew I wanted to work on my game and also knew nothing helps that more than by playing in tournaments," Rogers McEvoy said. "The senior women's circuit is inspiring."
Although Rogers McEvoy remains competitive, her approach to tournaments is now more about having fun than it was during her earlier years competing. She enjoys being on court exercising and playing with her friends, while always trying to improve her game. Rogers McEvoy has found success in attempting to improve her game, as she recently won her first gold ball with Molly Hahn at the National Senior Women's Grass Court Championships in Pennsylvania in the women's 65s.
"Tennis is endlessly challenging, as there is always something else you need to be working on," Rogers McEvoy said. "It's a great game for teaching life skills, and I am grateful to tennis for all it has given me and how it has broadened my life."
