Janice Metcalf Cromer
University of Redlands
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2008
The winner of eight national titles while in college, Janice Metcalf (b. 1952) holds the distinction of being the first woman to play on the men’s tennis team at the University of Redlands. Metcalf first took up tennis at age 10, honing her game at public parks and college courts in Claremont, California, and becoming a top junior player in the Southern California region.
During her remarkable career at Redlands, she captured the women’s national collegiate singles title in both 1972 and 1973, and also helped lead the men’s team to two national championships in 1973 and 1974.
Metcalf turned pro after receiving her B.A. and played internationally against some of the game’s greats, including Margaret Court and Chris Evert, earning a ranking among the top 15 in the U.S. and top 40 in the world.
Retiring in 1977 because of a severe knee injury, Metcalf earned an M.S. from California State University at Fullerton in 1980. She went on to coaching and teaching positions at Southern Methodist University and The Claremont Club, and since 1990 has enjoyed a longtime career at San Dimas High School in California.
Career Highlights
- Member, USTA Girls’ Intersectional Team for Southern California, Team Champions 1970; ranked in Top 5 for Southern California juniors
Member, U.S. Junior Wightman Cup Team, 1971-73; Junior Wightman Cup Player of the Year 1971
U.S. Amateur Grass Court Doubles
Champion 1971
Ojai Valley Open Singles and Doubles Champion 1972
Georgia State Singles Champion 1973
Alabama Singles and Doubles Champion 1973
South Carolina Singles Champion 1972, 1973
U.S. Collegiate Singles Champion 1972, 1973
U.S. Amateur Clay Court Singles Champion 1971, 1972, 1973; Doubles Champion 1971, 1973
Member, University of Redlands Women’s Tennis Team 1972; assisted as coach
Member, University of Redlands Men’s Tennis Team (1st woman); NAIA Team Champions 1973, 1974; Finalist in Singles, NAIA District 3 Championships 1973
Member, U.S. Federation Cup Team 1973
Member, U.S. Maureen Connolly Brinker Cup Team 1973
Bronze Medalist, World University Games 1973
B.A., University of Redlands 1974
Professional player on Virginia Slims Tour, Avon Tour and Futures Tour 1975-77; 2-time Futures Tournament Singles Champion: Austin, Texas, and Pensacola, Florida
Competed in singles and doubles at Wimbledon, U.S. Open, French Open, Italian Open, South African Open, Canadian Open
Spanish Open Singles Champion 1975
Head Counselor, Tony Trabert Tennis Camp 1978-1980
Assistant Men’s Tennis Coach, Claremont Men’s College 1979
M.S., California State University at Fullerton 1980
Head Women’s Tennis Coach, Southern Methodist University 1980-81
Teaching Pro at The Claremont Club (California) 1982-1990
Inducted into the University of Redlands Athletic Hall of Fame 1983 (inaugural year)
Inducted into The Claremont Club Hall of Fame
Physical Education Teacher and Tennis Coach, San Dimas (California) High School 1990–present
2008 Inductee into the ITA Women’s Tennis Hall of Fame
