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University of Massachusets Athletics
Judy Dixon One Of Six Inducted Into HOF On Saturday
June 24, 2008 | Tennis
June 24, 2008
NEWPORT, R.I. - Many friends and family came out to support UMass Head Women's Tennis Coach Judy Dixon on Saturday, June 21 as she was inducted into the USTA New England Hall of Fame along with five others at historic Newport, R.I. The evening began at 4:15 p.m. with photos and concluded after 9 p.m. with Dixon's final speech. Dixon's induction included letters from both her first coach (Doris Hart) and former doubles partner and famous women's tennis advocate (Billie Jean King). A number from the UMass athletic department were on hand including Head Men's Soccer Coach Sam Koch, former Head Field Hockey Coach Patty Shea, Director of Health Enhancement Robin Harris, and Faculty Athletics Representative Glenn Wong.
"It's a little hard to take it all in because of all the accolades," Dixon said. "[The ceremony] was just one thing after another. It was really well done, a beautiful night.
"The highlight [of the whole experience] for me was the generosity of friends and family in their comments and so many attending for me," Dixon continued.
The day began at 4:15 p.m. when Dixon and the five other inductees (Olivia "Lee" Delfausse, Ralph Stuart, Richard Morse, Samuel V. Schoonmaker III, and Gerald Slobin) were photographed by Russ Adams, a famous tennis photographer who is in the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The photos took place at center court, which is located initially through the entrance gates.
The photography was followed by a 5:30 cocktail party and 6:30 dinner, on the porch area adjacent to the museum.
In the proceeding induction ceremony, a representative introduced each inductee. After the first five were honored, it was time for Dixon to close out the night. Wong, a Sport Management professor at the Isenberg School of Management and a long-time athletics supporter and faculty representative had the honors of introducing her. He followed by reading the letters from both Hart and King leading up to Dixon's speech which closed out the memorable evening.
The USTA New England Hall of Fame exists to recognize those tennis players and non-players in New England whose achievements as sportsmen or sportswomen are worthy of the highest commendation and recognition, or whose contributions as officials or individuals in a tennis-related activity have been so outstanding over a significant period of time as to justify the highest commendation and recognition.
