Fall • 2016 THE NEW ENGLAND SENIOR TENNIS FOUNDATION BULLETIN 2016 USTA New England Hall of Famers Jill Craybas Jill Craybas grew up just 20 miles away from Newport and now she’s back as a six-time WTA champion and member of the USTA New England Hall of Fame. As a junior, Jill attained a No. 1 New England ranking in the Girls 18s division and climbed to a high of 4 nationally. She continued to shine in college, winning national championships with both the University of Florida and the University of Texas, twice earning All-America honors. Craybas turned pro in 1996 and was a mainstay on the WTA tour. She competed in 45 straight Grand Slams and maintained a top- 100 ranking for 10 consecutive seasons. Her highest singles ranking was No. 39 and doubles, No. 41. Craybas also had the unique opportunity to represent her country as she was selected to the 2008 U.S. Olympic team and was a member of the Fed Cup team for five years. Wade Frame A competitive tournament player for the past 26 years, Wade Frame has achieved No. 1 New England rankings 19 times between singles and doubles. In 2014, he climbed as high as No. 19 nationally in 55 Singles and No. 5 in 55 Doubles with partner Chris Holmes. Despite his success though, he has never let tennis get in the way of family time. He’s always maintained a steady balance, and contributing to that is his competitive play with both his son Warren and daughter Alissa. He achieved a high Father/Son ranking of No. 11 nationally in 2010 and was No. 16 nationally in the Father/Daughter rankings in 2004. Off the court, Frame serves as the treasurer of the New England Senior Tennis Foundation and is the seeding chair for the Men’s 55 division. John Mayotte Jr. John Mayotte Jr. came from humble beginnings, growing up learning the game of tennis at Forest Park in Springfield. He didn’t get to experience the country club lifestyle, and never received formal coaching or lessons as a child. But his love for the game and determination to develop as a player willed him to success. He became a top-ranked New England junior in both singles and doubles and went on to win multiple Western Massachusetts titles and state championships. He continued his tennis career at the College of the Holy Cross and later became a part of the New England Tennis Stars (NETS), a former pro circuit throughout New England. Mayotte currently lives in Clarksville, MD, where he still competes regularly in tournaments. In 2014, he won the National Singles Championship in the 65 age division. More details on page 6 2 – Fall 2016 New England Senior Tennis Foundation, Inc. An organization established by Bernice and Irving Levine for the general purpose of promoting tennis among senior adults in New England. Administration Board Peter Allen, President Irving Levine Wade Frame, Treasurer Amy Read Dorcas Miller, Clerk George Ulrich Carol Redden Ken Miller Sheila Weinstock Judy VanRaalte Steve Gulla To facilitate the promotion of senior tennis, the following strategies will be implemented: 1. To provide instruction for seniors interested in learning how to play the sport or improve their skills; 2. To support the publication of material to help seniors learn how to play the game, improve their skills and knowledge of the game, and un- derstand the latest health research information relating to the sport of tennis; 3. To distribute a newsletter on a regular basis that freely discusses issues in the sport of ten- nis and at the same time reports the results of tournaments and other competitions and news of interest to seniors; 4. To run tournaments and other competi- tions for seniors innovatively and in such a way as to help participants fully enjoy the sport; We mourn the passing of our 5. To develop and support interstate, inter- long-time editor, Richard "Dick" sectional and international competitions for Ernst, September 19, 2016. He seniors; will be missed. Rest in Peace, old 6. To respond to changing needs and interests friend. of senior tennis players; 7. To recognize and respond to opportunities Dick Ernst of Cranston, R. I., to provide leadership within a larger context for Senior Tennis Bulletin editor and the development of tennis (i.e., to support or op- long-time Rhode Island tennis pose actions by tennis groups that either further coach and ranking senior tennis or diminish the growth and support of the sport); player. 8. To provide where possible and to support facilities for senior players at either a reduced rate or at no cost to them; 9. To create and support a governance struc- Please send any suggested ture that ensures continuity to the Foundation stories and or pictures of interest and support for its goals and strategies. for NESTF’s 1,000+ contacts to our Webmaster, Ken Miller, at [email protected].” Fall 2016 – 3 with Dick Ernst Editor’s Corner... Senior tennis newsletter editor and long-time Rhode Island tennis coach and ranking senior circuit player Former N. E. Tennis Star (The Athlete) SEATTLE STU North Seattleite Stu Fitelson takes life at a gallop Submitted by Dan Raley ON A MONDAY NIGHT, Capitol Cider, a popular Pike Street bar and music venue, is packed full of people. It’s a young crowd. The 20- and 30-somethings have come to listen or dance to the Latin music, sample the selection of hard ciders or simply hang out. Stu Fitelson is there, too. Fitelson is drawn to the vibrant atmosphere, inhaling it like oxygen. He hopes to sit in with the band, offering an easy drumbeat. He might ask someone for a dance, demonstrating graceful steps. He’ll be 83 in November. Even as the years pile up, Fitelson never thinks about dying-he’s far more interested in living. No one does it with more energy or purpose. No one thumbs his or her nose at the aging process quite like he does. “There’s no end with me,” the North Seattle man said. It’s a little ironic that Fitelson works as a life insurance salesman. He still puts in six hours a day trying to sell term policies out of a cluttered Third Avenue office. He spends the rest of his time showing people why they don’t need one. Music and insurance are just a small part of this man’s regular routine. A former college basketball player and touring tennis pro, the man who calls himself “Seattle Stu’’ still plays five different sports without interruption. He spent the summer competing for a 35-and-older baseball team and 60-and-older soccer team. He won a pair of gold medals in an all-comers track meet. He resumed play in the fall in a 50-and-older basketball league at the Washington Athletic Club. “Stu is pretty amazing, to be frank,” says Jim Kristof, 62, a lawyer, basketball teammate and former University of Washington football player. “Will I still be playing at 82? I don’t think so, but I hope so. I’ve got to make it to 82 first.” Fitelson gets up late and works late. On the way home from his office, he often stops for a workout at Green Lake’s outdoor parks and recreation facilities, located in the middle of the urban hustle and bustle. He runs 100-yard sprints. He trades tennis strokes with whoever is willing. After workouts, he frequently holds court downtown, dining at Wild Ginger or Roberto’s; he picks his spots to indulge himself. He might order the occasional steak and a Scotch, but not every day. It works for him. Fitelson prefers to stay relevant in a world that rewards youth rather than old age. And if for some reason he can’t get into Capitol Cider, he might end up at the Highway 99 Blues Club, another pulsating, well- attended nightspot. 4 – Fall 2016 NESTF President’s Message I’m sad to convey the recent passing on September 19 of Dick Ernst, our longtime bulletin editor. Dick’s accomplishments and lifelong contributions to tennis in Rhode Island and throughout New England are legendary, as written in his obituary, http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/providence/obituary. aspx?pid=181488745. He will be greatly missed. Best wishes go out to Dick’s wife Rollie, who has assisted Dick with all past NESTF publications, including this edition. Turning to tennis news, New England again provided an outstanding tournament schedule for senior players who value both competition and camaraderie! Most weekends from May through September offered an outdoor tournament for multiple senior age categories. We players owe great thanks to all tournament directors and clubs that host annual senior events, treating us as their welcomed guests. The special New England Senior “Slam” events, initiated in 2010 by the vision and commitment of longtime NESTF Board members Ken and Dorcas Miller, remain New England’s best attended. First, the Hardcourt Slams at Yale in early June attracted 137 players, many from outside New England due to National Category II designations. Second, the Clay Slams, split between Concord and Beverly, together attracted 112 competitors. And finally, the September Grass Slams at the International Hall of Fame in Newport, RI attracted 84 competitors. The Millers deserve our ongoing thanks for continuing their time-consuming oversight and devotion to this remarkable series of Senior Slams. The NESTF Board’s subsidy of $5,500 for the Slams continued to provide their extra amenities and hopefully attract even more players.