NEWPORT, R.I., October 23, 2015 – Justine Henin, a former WTA Tour world No. 1 and seven-time major champion, Marat Safin, a two-time major champion and former world No. 1 on the ATP World Tour, and Helena Sukova, who won 14 major titles in doubles and mixed doubles, have all been nominated for induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. All three are nominated in the Recent Player Category for induction in the Class of 2016. In addition, Yvon Petra, a notable French tennis player of the 1940s, and Margaret Scriven, British tennis champion of the 1930s, have been nominated posthumously in the Master Player Category. There are no nominees in the Contributor Category for 2016.

Induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame is the highest honor available in the sport of tennis and it represents the sum of one’s achievements at the highest possible level. Since 1955, the honor of Hall of Fame induction has been awarded to 243 tennis champions and leaders representing 21 nations. Located in Newport, Rhode Island, the International Tennis Hall of Fame is a non-profit organization built around a mission of preserving and celebrating the history of tennis, honoring its greatest champions, and inspiring its future.

QUOTES / NOMINEE REACTION

“Throughout their careers Justine Henin, Marat Safin, and Helena Sukova all consistently demonstrated their excellence as tennis players and their commitment to our sport. They worked relentlessly toward tennis’ top goals and as a result, achieved world No. 1 status, won the sport’s top trophies, and inspired fans and peers worldwide. They’ve left a lasting and positive impact on tennis and it is a pleasure to announce their nomination to receive our sport’s highest honor, induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame,” said Stan Smith, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987 and now serves as the International Tennis Hall of Fame President and Chairman of the Enshrinee Nominating Committee.

Smith continued, “Also this year, we recognize the achievements of two of tennis’ great early champions – Yvon Petra, who claimed a Wimbledon title after five years as a prisoner-of-war, and Margaret Scriven, who won two back-to-back singles titles at the French Championships. Their success is part of the sport’s storied history, and we’re glad to recognize their accomplishments.”

Of the nomination, Justine Henin commented, “The Hall of Famers are individuals who I have admired from the time I was a young girl, throughout my career, and to this day. To be nominated for induction into this group and to have my career recognized in this way is a great honor, and I thank the committee for the nomination.”

 

Marat Safin commented, “To be part of a Hall of Fame is every athlete’s dream. It is a great honor to have my tennis career recognized in this way, and I am proud to represent Russian tennis with this nomination for such a prestigious honor in our sport.”

Helena Sukova stated, “It is a great honor for me to be selected as a nominee for the Hall of Fame. Being recognized as part of tennis history is all I can ask, now that my playing days are over. The International Tennis Hall of Fame is the most prestigious group of legends in the sport, and it is an honor to have my career recognized with a nomination for this most esteemed stage.”

Voting on the Hall of Fame ballot will take place over the next several months, culminating with an announcement early next year to reveal the Class of 2016. The Class of 2016 Induction Ceremony will be hosted on Saturday, July 16, 2016 during Rolex Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

A detailed description of the induction voting process follows the nominee biographies below:

ABOUT THE NOMINEES

Recent Player: Justine Henin, Marat Safin, and Helena Sukova
Eligibility criteria for the Recent Player Category is as follows: active as competitors in the sport within the last 20 years prior to consideration; not a significant factor on the ATP World Tour, WTA Tour, or Wheelchair Tennis Tour within five years prior to induction; a distinguished record of competitive achievement at the highest international level, with consideration given to integrity, sportsmanship, and character.

Justine Henin, 33, of Belgium, was the world No. 1 player for 117 weeks. She was the year-end No. 1 three times, clinching the top spot in 2003, 2006, and 2007.

Powered by an explosive and unique one-handed backhand, Henin won seven Grand Slam singles titles, including four French Open titles, three of which were consecutive. In addition to her French Open titles, Henin won two US Open titles and an Australian Open title. Henin won 43 singles titles in all, including 10 WTA Tour Tier I / Premier Mandatory & Premier 5 titles. She compiled an extraordinary career record of 525-115.

While smaller in stature than many of her competitors, Henin was applauded for her mental toughness and an outstanding all-around game. She was known for a powerful forehand, superior volley skills and court coverage, and her famous one-handed backhand.

In 2004, Henin won the Olympic Gold Medal in Athens. She was a dedicated Belgian Fed Cup team member, leading the team to their first Fed Cup title in 2001 and into the finals again in 2006.

Since retirement, Henin’s ventures have included running a tennis academy in Belgium, as well as a foundation dedicated to medical needs of children.

Marat Safin, 35, of Russia, is a two-time Grand Slam tournament champion. He held the world No. 1 ranking for nine weeks, and was in the world top-five for 119 weeks. Safin was regarded as a power player with strong groundstrokes and a particularly dangerous backhand.

Safin won his first major title at the 2000 US Open, when he defeated Pete Sampras. He is the first and only Russian man to have won the title. Safin went on to win the 2005 Australian Open with a victory over Lleyton Hewitt, defeating then world No. 1 Roger Federer in a five-set battle en route to the final.

Safin won 15 singles titles. In addition to his Grand Slam tournament titles, he won five ATP Masters 1000 tournaments. He compiled a career record of 422-267.

Safin was an integral member of the Russian Davis Cup team for 11 years. In 2002, he was instrumental in leading Russia to defeat France for their first Davis Cup victory. In 2006, he won the deciding rubber against Argentina to claim the title for Russia again.

Since retiring from the ATP World Tour, Safin has served on the Russian Olympic Committee and has worked with the Russian Tennis Federation. In 2011, he was elected to serve in the Russian Federal Parliament.

Helena Sukova, 50, of the Czech Republic, was the world No. 1 ranked doubles player for 68 weeks and she won 14 Grand Slam tournament titles in women’s doubles and mixed doubles over the course of her career. Sukova also had a noteworthy singles career, achieving a career high of world No. 4 and reaching the final two times each at the Australian Open and the US Open.

 

In all, Sukova won an impressive 69 doubles titles and she compiled a doubles record of 752-220. She achieved a career Grand Slam in women’s doubles, winning four titles at Wimbledon, two at the US Open, one at the Australian Open, and one at the French Open. In addition, she won one WTA Championships doubles title.

In singles competition, Sukova had a winning record of 614-307 and she won 10 singles titles. One of her most notable singles victories was when she defeated Martina Navratilova in the semifinal round of the 1984 Australian Open, ending Navratilova’s historic 74-match winning streak.

Sukova was a standout competitor for her country, as an integral part of the Czechoslovakia/Czech Republic Fed Cup teams for 13 years. She was a playing member of four championship teams (1983, 1984, 1985, 1988). Additionally, she won two Silver Medals at the Olympic Games, partnered with Jana Novotna (1988 and 1996).

Sukova retired in 1998, and has remained highly active in the game. In 1999, she helped re-establish the International Lawn Tennis Club of the Czech Republic and became its president. She is a co-founder of the Kids and Junior Tennis Advancement Organization in the Czech Republic. She is also a member of the Champions for Peace Club, a group of elite athletes committed to serving peace in the world through sport, created by Peace and Sport Organization. Additionally, Sukova earned a doctoral degree as a psychologist at Palacky University.

Master Player Category: Yvon Petra and Margaret Scriven

Yvon Petra was a notable French tennis player of the 1940s. His career success came at a challenging time, straddling World War II and consequent interruptions to the French Championships. Petra won the Wimbledon singles title in 1946, ending a 19-year drought of French victors and making him the last French man to have done so. Perhaps most notably, his historic Wimbledon victory came following five years as a prisoner of war in Germany.

In addition to his success at Wimbledon, Petra won two doubles titles and a mixed doubles title at the French Championships.

Petra was the No. 1 ranked player in France in the late 1930s, before the war. After his release, he went on to be ranked in the world top-5 in 1946. Petra was a member of the French Davis Cup team for five years between 1937 and 1947.

Born in 1916, Petra passed away in 1984.

 

 

Margaret Scriven, of Yorkshire, England, accomplished the rare feat of back-to-back French Championships titles.

 

She was the first British woman and only unseeded player ever to win the French National Championships, which she did in 1933. She successfully defended her title the following year, making her the last British woman to win the same major tournament for two consecutive years.

 

Scriven was the first left handed player in tennis history to win a major tournament title.

 

A skilled clay court player, Scriven also won a mixed doubles and doubles title at the French Nationals.

 

Scriven was ranked among the world top-10 for three years, according to the Daily Telegraph and the Daily Mail. She achieved the world No. 5 ranking in 1933 and 1934. She was a member of the Wightman Cup team for Great Britain in 1933, 1934, and 1938.

 

Scriven was born in 1912 and she passed away in 2001.

 

ABOUT THE INDUCTION PROCESS

Voting on the Hall of Fame ballot will take place over the next several months, culminating with an announcement early next year to reveal the Class of 2016. The Class of 2016 Induction Ceremony will be hosted on Saturday, July 16, 2016 during Rolex Hall of Fame Enshrinement Weekend at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island.

 

Nominees for Hall of Fame induction are selected from nominations submitted by the general public and tennis community. The ITHF Enshrinee Nominating Committee, which meets annually in June, then reviews all nominations and determines the ballot. The committee is comprised of 23 individuals from around the world with expertise in various areas of the sport. Individuals can be nominated in three categories – Recent Player, Master Player, and Contributor. There are no nominees in the Contributor Category this year.

 

Following this announcement of the nominees, a ballot will be sent to the voting groups.

 

The Recent Player Voting Group, which consists of tennis media and Hall of Famers, will vote on the Recent Player nominees. The Master Player & Contributor Voting Group, which consists of historians, Hall of Famers, and individuals who are highly knowledgeable of the sport and its history, will vote on the Master Player nominees. To be inducted in either category, an affirmative vote of 75% of returned ballots is required.

 

Votes are tallied by an independent accounting firm. The Induction Class will be announced the first quarter of 2016.

 

For additional information, please visit www.tennisfame.com

GREENSBORO, N.C. — The recipient of the 2016 ABCA Meritorious Service Award is Mike Gustafson, President and CEO of the College Baseball Foundation. Gustafson has been instrumental in the development of the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in Lubbock, Texas, a project that recognizes some of college baseball’s most influential figures.

The Meritorious Service Award is presented to a person who has proven himself/herself in service to amateur baseball and the ABCA, and whose actions and involvement have resulted in a notable impact on the sport. Service may include years of participation, administration, contribution, innovation, or exposure/advancement of amateur baseball through media coverage.

The Meritorious Service Award will be presented to Gustafson at the Honors Luncheon during the ABCA Convention on Jan. 9, 2016 at 12 p.m. in Nashville. Tickets to the Honors Luncheon must be purchased in advance at www.ABCA.org/apply.

Gustafson has served as the President and CEO of the College Baseball Foundation since June of 2009. Until recently, there was not a national entity in place to honor and showcase the game’s rich past and to annually celebrate current collegiate baseball achievements. The College Baseball Foundation was created to become the founder of the National College Baseball Museum and Hall of Fame to distinguish this important and ongoing history.

College Baseball’s Night of Champions, hosted annually in Lubbock, Texas in early July, is an event in which the Hall of Fame inductions and college baseball awards are presented. The national champions and top achievements are recognized. Awards presented include the Skip Bertman Award, the Brooks Wallace Award, the National Pitcher of the Year Award, the John Olerud Award, the Dick Howser Trophy and the Johnny Bench Award.

Several ABCA Hall of Fame coaches have also been inducted to the College Baseball Hall of Fame. That list includes current ABCA Board Members Bob Bennett, Bill Holowaty, Jerry Kindall and Ron Polk, as well as deceased Board Members Bobo Brayton and John Winkin.

Gustafson’s connection to baseball goes back to his playing career in which he played on consecutive state tournament teams in 1984 and 1985 under legendary high school baseball coach Bobby Moegle at Lubbock Monterey High School. He attended Texas Tech and played baseball from 1986-89. In 1989, he was Texas Tech’s Male Scholar Athlete of the Year as part of the Southwest Conference’s 75th anniversary festivities.

After graduating from Texas Tech, Gustafson attended the University of Texas and obtained a master’s degree in sports management. In 2005, he earned his doctorate at Texas Tech in higher education administration.

 

The International Sports Heritage Association (ISHA) is pleased to announce its 2015 Communication Award winners. The 10 winners were presented the ISHY trophy Oct. 22 during the Evening of Champions dinner at the group’s annual conference hosted by the World of Little League Museum in Willamsport, Pa.

The 2015 ISHY winners are:

  • Saskatchewan Sports Hall of Fame for the book, The Spirit of ’89
  • National College Baseball Hall of Fame for the 2015 College Baseball Night of Champions magazine
  • The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame Museum for The Racing Cars of Dan Gurney, an All-American Exhibition
  • The NASCAR Hall of Fame for its publication called Ignition
  • The Canadian Golf Hall of Fame for its marketing brochure
  • Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame for its membership booklet
  • The San Francisco 49ers Museum for its Education Learning Playbook
  • The St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum for its induction ceremony materials
  • USGA Museum for Jack Nicklaus “Perseverence,” a short film video
  • The Melbourne (Australia) Cricket Club for its new online database.
  • The 49ers Museum received The Best in Show award for its education playbook.

 

An outstanding group of nine living inductees and one deceased that will be inducted into the West Branch Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame. They will be inducted during the annual Hall of Fame banquet at the Genetti Hotel in Williamsport, on Sunday night, Nov. 8. Seats for the induction banquet are available for $25 from Vice-President Tom Aber by calling 570-713-9093 or by mailing a check made payable to the West Branch Valley Sports Hall of Fame mailed to Tom Aber, 358 Vine Street, Milton, PA 17847.

2015 West Branch Valley Chapter of the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Inductees
Living Inductees

Steve Bazarnic – Baseball – Milton HS/Penn State
A 1963 Milton Area High School grad that went on to play at Penn State, where he earned the Outstanding Baseball Player Award as a senior at both schools … head coach at Allegany Junior College of Maryland … his teams have won 21 Maryland College Championships, 13 Region XX Championships, 9 District Championships and made 9 appearances in the NCAA World Series … named Region XX Coach of the Year 13 times … Inducted into three Halls of Fame – NJCAA, Region XX and Maryland State Association of Baseball Coaches … winningest active junior college coach with 1,398 wins.

Bill Blacksmith – Wrestling – Lock Haven University
One of six NCAA Division I wrestling champions from Lock Haven University … a four-time PSAC champion (1963, ’64, ’65, ’66) … qualified for the NCAA Championships in both 1965 and 1966, winning the national title at 145 pounds in 1966 … a two-time NAIA National Champion, taking the title at 145 pounds in 1965 before winning at 152 pounds the next year … finished collegiate career with an overall record of 74-7-2 … inducted into the NAIA Hall of Fame in 1977 and PWCA Hall of Fame in 1979 … coached Indiana (Pa.) from 1968-85, posting a 124-72-2 record.

 Jack Day – Wrestling – Bald Eagle-Nittany HS/Lock Haven University
Posted career record of 104-16 at Bald Eagle-Nittany HS and Lock Haven University … a 2-time PSAC Champion (1961, ’62) and NAIA Champion at 137 pounds in 1962 … co-captain with Gray Simons as a senior … team had longest winning streak in the East and won the PSAC and NAIA National title in 1961 … coached 26 Maryland State Champions and 9 AAU Champions in 35 years … inducted into four Halls of Fame: Bald Eagle-Nittany (1990),  Lock Haven University Wrestling (1993), Clinton County (2003) and the National Wrestling Hall of Fame for Lifetime Service to Wrestling (2010).

Steve Kline – Baseball – Lewisburg HS
Served as a Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher for 11 seasons from 1997-2007 … appeared in 796 career games with Cleveland, Montreal, St. Louis, Baltimore and San Francisco … finished career 34-39 with a 3.51 ERA, 39 saves and 158 holds … led National League in pitching appearances three times (1999-2001) … drafted in 8th round of 1993 MLB draft by Cleveland … 1993 Atlantic 10 Pitcher of the Year at West Virginia University … helped Allegany CC to 1991 NJCAA World Series … helped 1989 Mifflinburg American Legion team to the state finals.

Jeff Knarr – Football, Baseball, Wrestling – Lock Haven HS/Lock Haven University
One of the most versatile athletes in the area, starring in football, baseball and wrestling and coaching all three  … a three-year letterman in football at fullback at Lock Haven HS … rushing leader of Coach Malinak’s 1968 team and selected to the Central Counties All-Star Team … outstanding catcher in baseball, starting for three years at Lock Haven HS, batting .383 … a District and Regional Wrestling Champion … also a three-sport star at Lock Haven State College … late Lock Haven Express news writer Ross Nevel called Knarr “one of the best all-round athletes he had ever seen.”

Morgan Mantle – Softball – Jersey Shore HS/Lycoming College
Holds 23rd-best career ERA in NCAA Division III history (1.18) … Holds at least eight Lycoming College school records, including 501 strikeouts and 436.1 innings pitched … A four-time first-team all-conference selection and a third-team all-region selection as a freshman … 2006 Freedom Conference Pitcher of the Year … Pitcher and third baseman for 1999 Jersey Shore Junior League State Champions and 2000 Big League State Champions … Pitcher for 2000 District 4 champions and 2001 District 2/4 Champions … helped Bulldogs to four league championships … 2012 Lycoming Athletics Hall of Fame inductee.

Bruce Parkhill – Basketball/Soccer – State College HS/Lock Haven University
Lock Haven University grad … three-time First Team All-East Region and two-time All-American soccer goalie … all-conference and all-district in basketball … conference champion in javelin throw … charter member LHU Hall of Fame (2015) … William & Mary head basketball coach (1977-83) … earned first postseason berth (NIT, 1983) … ECAC South and NABC South Region Coach of the Year (1983) … W&M Hall of Fame (2005) … Penn State head basketball coach (1983-95) … won only conference championship in program history (1991), NCAA second round, 2 NIT final fours (1990, 1995), five 20-plus win seasons … Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year (1990).

Jason Phillips – Baseball – Hughesville HS
Played 15 seasons of professional baseball (1992-2006), reaching the Major Leagues for parts of three seasons with Pittsburgh and Cleveland …  Also pitched two seasons with Orix in Japanese League … Drafted in 14th Round of 1992 MLB draft by Pittsburgh … Pitcher on Team USA in the 2001 and 2005 Baseball World Cup, starting Gold Medal game against Cuba in 2001 … Won first major league game in 2002 … 1991 TOPPS Pennsylvania State Player of the Year and US Olympic Festival Participant … Also a District 4 All-Star in basketball at Hughesville HS.

Alan Probst – Baseball – Jersey Shore HS/Mansfield University
Outstanding baseball player at Jersey Shore HS, graduated in 1988 … played college baseball at Mansfield University … a three-time All-PSAC, two-time All-Atlantic Region and First Team All-American (1992) catcher for the Mounties … helped team to DII World Series finals (1992) … drafted in 17th round of 1992 MLB draft by Houston … played professional baseball for 10 years with Houston, Toronto and New York Mets organizations (1992-01) … a two-time Minor League All-Star catcher … invited to four MLB Spring Training camps … spent parts of six seasons in AAA … host of Wild Pennsylvania Outdoors TV show.

Deceased Inductee

Robert Roach – PIAA Official – Lock Haven HS
Award to be accepted by Beryl Roach
Wrestled at Lock Haven HS … Awarded the trophy for scoring the most team points … a District champion in 1942 … best known as an outstanding wrestling official … officiated wrestling for 30 years at both high school and collegiate level … officiated district championships in districts 4, 5, 6, 9 and 11 as well as many regional and state championships … officiated collegiately at Lock Haven, Maryland, Penn State, Millersville, Clarion, Wilkes as well as the EIWA … received the Chuck Goldthorpe Chapter award for 30 years’ service to PIAA Wrestling in 1980.