HISTORY
EASTERN TENNIS HALL OF FAME
The Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame was established in 1988 to honor individuals from USTA Eastern Section who have made significant contributions to tennis on and off the court.
Each year the Eastern Tennis Hall of fame hosts a ceremony to induct up to six new members, with the proceeds of the ceremony going to the Junior Tennis Foundation in order to support its mission.
Who is eligible for consideration as an inductee to the Hall of Fame?
PLAYERS
PROFESSIONAL: Players achieving international status and ranking, representing USA in Olympics and in either the Fed or Davis Cups.
EASTERN SECTION: Players who rose to prominence through the Eastern junior rankings.
CONTRIBUTORS
Professionals in media from Eastern Section, such as broadcasters, writers and photographers, who made significant national or international contributions to the sport.
VOLUNTEERS
People who made a significant impact in the growth of tennis in the Eastern Section.
Residency requirement - At least ten years residency in the Eastern Section is required in order to be considered.
JUNIOR TENNIS FOUNDATION
The Junior Tennis Foundation (JTF) was incorporated in 1982 as a charity by Gene Scott and other Eastern Section past presidents in order "to promote the development of tennis among underprivileged children as a means of healthful recreation and physical fitness."
Since its founding it has worked closely with USTA Eastern Section to provide grants and other financial assistance to hundreds of worthy tennis programs and organizations that focus on underserved and at-risk youth and people with disabilities. In that time, JTF has provided over $3 million in grants and scholarships to organizations and individuals in the Eastern Section.
USTA EASTERN
The USTA Eastern Section, currently based in White Plains, N.Y., is a not-for-profit community service organization whose mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis. It is one of 17 geographic sections of the United States Tennis Association, the governing body of tennis in the United States, and supports more than 49,000 members. The section encompasses all of New York State, northern New Jersey and Greenwich, Connecticut. The section believes there is a place in the game for everyone, and its staff works to incorporate programs and initiatives that attract new and diverse audiences.
The section also establishes and maintains rules of fair play, high standards of sportsmanship and represents, in its jurisdiction, the programs and policies of the USTA.
The purpose of this not-for-profit organization is to promote the development of tennis, establish and maintain rules of fair play and high standards of sportsmanship and represent, in its jurisdiction, the programs and policies of the USTA.
Programs run the gamut on the recreational level - from introductory tennis in schools, parks and camps, to junior and adult skill level leagues. Tournaments for age groups 10 to 85 provide competitive tennis throughout the section. In most age categories there are unranked tournaments as well as those for district, regional and sectional rankings.
USTA Eastern has produced strong players who have effectively competed as juniors and adults on intersectional teams and at the national level. The section includes its share of professional players who have moved on to make their mark on tennis history.
THE 'SERVICE' SCULPTURE
Each inductee receives a replica of Chuck Clark's Sculpture, "Service," in commemoration of each person's contribution to the game of tennis.
Commissioned by the Eastern Tennis Association, this piece won the "Top Honors Award" from the Academic Artists Association at a national exhibit in Springfield, Massachusetts in April of 1988; the First Prize for Sculpture at the Thirty-Fourth Annual National Open Juried Exhibition at the Mamaroneck Artists Guild in June of 1988; and the very prestigious Salmagundi Award for Sculpture at the Ninth Annual Salmagundi Exhibition here in New York City in June of 1990.
Clark's other works have been honored as well: First Prize for Sculpture at the Thirteenth Annual Juried Art Exhibition at the Milford, Connecticut Fine Arts Council in July of 1988; the 1989 Michael Gressel Award for Sculpture, and the 1991 John Newington Award for Graphics, at the Hudson Valley Art Association in White Plains, New York. The Reader's Digest Association chose one of his works to be printed for one of its Fine Arts projects in 1992.
Clark was commissioned to do a bronze Sculpture, "Wave of Excellence." the Union Carbide Corporation Chairman's Award, awarded annually, to recognize employees around the world for their achievements.
The Sculpture is an apt symbol of the powerful effect individual effort can have on an organization.
Clark's works have earned him membership in the Allied Artists of America as well as in the Hudson Valley Art Associa-tion, where he recently served as Juror for the Association's Annual Exhibition.
Clark has been president and creative director of Clark Advertising Graphics, Inc. since 1967; and he developed another firm in 1980, Graphic Action, Inc., of which he is president.