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Home , Lindsay Davenport, Michael Chang, Tony Trabert, Vic Braden

Hall Of Fame Induction – Not To Be Missed Mark Winters ic Braden, Michael , , , Gilbert (Gil) Shea and Kathy Willette will become members of the ­Southern VCalifornia Association Hall of Fame, on Sunday, September 22nd. The gala, which is a Black Tie optional dinner, will take place at the Riviera Country Club, in Pacific Palisades. For information about the not to be missed event, please contact Martha Katsufrakis­ at [email protected] or call her at (310) 208-3838, Extension 238. tales about places and more important- three months (1989 Roland Garros; the first ly, people (individuals who are American since in1955) Because he champions, as well as those with “from the – player to be ranked in the Top 5 is forever en- park,” status.) (1989) gaged – ener- Living by a “Laugh and Learn” credo, Vic – player in over 60 years to be named gized says it Braden is a vital tennis resource. No one to the US team in 1989 (He was better – and has his credentials nor has the hope of com- also a member of the 1990 championship is always on ing close to matching his love for the game. team.) the move, few Joe Chang choreographed Michael and would guess Carl’s tennis development. Though he be- Vic Braden’s came a member of the International Tennis age. He is a As a South- Hall of Fame in 2008, Chang still plays ATP font of infor- ern Champions Tour and the PowerShares Se- mation with an junior, Michael Vic Braden ries Tour, as well as exhibitions. He is also unquenchable Chang domi- Photo International Tennis Hall of significantly involved with the Chang Fam- Fame & Museum, Newport, quest for new nated competi- Rhode Island ily Foundation, coordinating a wide range ideas to make tion playing up of youth programs and grass roots tennis teaching the game and life in general, better. (meaning above projects. Braden’s never dissipating interest in ten- his required nis has enabled him to leave countless indi- age division), viduals with vividly fond memories, over the capturing both Lindsay Davenport years, as an instructor, author and television the Boys’ 18 It is rare commentator, and as a player. National Hard that an individ- As one of the school’s foremost grad- Court Cham- ual who was uates and top former players, he has put Michael Chang pionships and ranked Num- Photo Cynthia Lum ­ on the map. Much of the National ber 1 in singles, his work has focused on the important role Championships in 1987 at 15. The summer (one of only sports psychologists play in tennis. Having before his triumph, Chang was a member of four women written six books and developed over twen- the USTA Boys’ Junior Davis Cup team. since 1975 to ty tennis VHS and DVD’s endorses Braden’s , now the men’s tennis coach finish atop the unique position of expertise. at Boise State University, was the JDC cap- World rank- He is renowned for founding and direct- tain. “Michael and Pete (Sampras) were fi- ings at least ing the Vic Braden Tennis College in Coto nalists at the Hard Courts,” he recalled. “It four times), and de Caza. His long-standing relationship with was like watching an early Tom Hanks mov- also reached , for whom he ran the world ie and realizing that you were looking at two Lindsay Davenport the top spot in Photo cameraworkusa pro tennis tour, earned him even more rec- future Oscar winners; players who would be doubles, could ognition. The duo also teamed to begin the legends in the game.” accurately be described as “…So normal.” Jack Kramer Tennis Club, the fabled location During his career, Chang won 34 tourna- That is Lindsay Davenport. which has been the home of countless out- ments and was a finalist 24 times. He played How many players, beginning in 1991, standing junior players for some time. 55 Grand Slam tournaments, which ties him would spend two years on the tour be- A stellar raconteur, Braden enlivens dis- for third on the all-time list. Some of his col- fore becoming a professional and take the cussions and exchanges weaving personal lection of “Youngest Firsts” include: time to attend her high school graduation?­ experiences into a montage of captivating – male to win a Grand Slam at 17 years, ­Davenport did, and accomplished even more. She won 55 career titles, including the US As a professional, he captured 46 titles, team in 1955, with Tony Trabert, Seixas and Open, Wimbledon and in but even more significant was Leach claim- Hamilton Richardson,” Shea said. “I was 1998, 1999 and 2000 respectively. She was ing at least one championship for 16 consec- ranked in the Top Ten for four years and the 1996 Olympic singles champion and a utive years. “I was the winner of nine Grand then retired. I was drafted and had to member of the 2000 Fed Cup champion- Slam doubles titles,” he admitted. “Five were two years in the US Army, which were two ship team. in men’s doubles and four in mixed. I also of my prime playing years. Overall, tennis Because of these achievements, a num- was a finalist in twelve other Slams, and was was great for me.” ber of her other credits are regularly over- ranked No. 1 in the world in 1990.” looked. A few of them include: A member of winning Davis Cup teams Kathy Willette – Winning Roland Garros, her first in 1990 and 1992, Leach added, “My last ti- Kathy Willette’s extensive involvement in Grand Slam doubles title with Mary Joe Fer- tle came in Los Angeles, with Brian Mac- tennis is matched by many accomplishments. nandez – 1996 Phie, and I was 40-years-old. I retired from Having been involved with Youth Tennis San – Winning the US Open doubles with the ATP Tour in 2005 after playing 18 years. Diego since its inception in the mid-1980s, Jana Novotna – 1997 Currently, when I am not coaching dou- she has served in many capacities to ensure – Defeating (in her final bles players Scott Lipsky and , the organization’s success. Grand Slam match) for the Wimbledon ti- I teach at the Newport Beach Tennis Club. Willette worked to make the Barnes tle; and winning the doubles with Corina In recent years, I have also played on teams Junior Tennis Morariu – 1999 representing the US in International Tennis Center reality. – Winning the Australian Open without Federation competition.” When it was losing a set – 2000 complete, she – Becoming the eighth player in WTA Gilbert (Gil) Shea pursued USTA history to win 700 singles matches – 2006 As Gilbert National Ju- – Surpassing Graf in career prize mon- (Gil) Shea ex- nior Champi- ey earnings – 2008 plained, “I onships making After playing on the tour for 17 years, spent a lot of sure the facil- Davenport retired in 2010. She and husband, time at the Los ity became a Jonathan Leach, have three children, and be- Angeles Ten- major tourna- side doing commentary for the Tennis Chan- nis Club dur- ment venue. nel, she is still formidable on the court, most ing the 1940s When there often teaming with in Leg- and 1950s. All was a need, end’s events held at the Grand Slams. the good play- she was a ma- ers were there. jor fundraiser. Kathy Willette Rick Leach They included For almost twenty years, she served on Given his fa- , a variety of USTA committees. Communi- ther’s love of , ty Tennis was a focus, and Willette, in vari- Gilbert (Gil) Shea the game, it and Photo International Tennis Hall ous leadership capacity, played a crucial role. would be hard many others.” of Fame & Museum, Newport, She has been in the forefront of the ­SCTA’s to imagine Rick At USC, in Rhode Island development efforts as a member of the Leach not be- the early ’50s, Shea’s serve and game Board of Directors, and Chair of the Stra- ing involved in flourished, and he became one of the leading tegic Planning Committee. tennis. “I be- US players. In 1954, he was ranked No. 10. Kathy Willette, nee Chabot, developed gan playing at The next year, he moved to No. 6. But, the her game at Morley Field in San Diego, and five,” he said. best was yet to come. Shea finished 1957 at became a three-time National junior dou- “I was taught No. 4. It was also the same season that he bles winner. In 1961, she was the Junior the game by was a Pacific Southwest finalist. Wimbledon finalist. That year, she was No. my father (Dick A good athlete, who covered the court 4 in the US Women’s rankings, and became Leach). I played Rick Leach superbly, he was always in the trophy hunt. the National Hard Court champion. In 1984 junior tennis Photo USC Sports Information His 1954 results clearly indicate his talent. she claimed the Women’s 35 US Open and and ended up winning 17 National titles. I He defeated Edward Moylan in the Nation- Hard Court titles, and was ranked No. 1 lo- went on to USC where my father was the al Hard Court Championships final. At the cally and nationally. coach.” Cannes Tennis Championships, he outlasted Her collection of accolades is impressive. Stories abound about tennis parents Tony Vincent for the title. Some of the awards the 2007 San Diego pressuring their offspring. That wasn’t Dick In 1955, he began an Ojai three-peat, tak- District Tennis Hall of Fame inductee has re- Leach’s style. Having been a good player, ing the men’s championship over Clyde ceived include: USTA Community Service – then a noted coach, he understood the dy- Hippensteil. The next year, he stopped Earl 1986; USTA Education Merit – 1994 (The namics of helping individuals develop. Rick, Baumgardner. (He also won the Southern same year Henry Talbert was the men’s with whom he won ten National Father & California Sectional Championships.) He honoree.); USTA Service – 2001; Son championships, is a prime example. closed out his Ojai trifecta with a victo- Community Service – 2005 and SCTA Life- The first eight-time (both singles and dou- ry over Noel Brown. (In addition, he was time Achievement – 2006. She is especially bles) All-American in NCAA history, Leach a 1956 Australian quarterfinalist losing to proud that the Larry Willettes were named said, “I won NCAA doubles titles with Tim .) Family of the Year in both the District and Pawsat in 1986 and with Scott Melville in ’87.” “I was a member of the US Davis Cup the SCTA in 1988.