Hall of Fame Inductions
People Who Changed The Game
This is a list of all our inductees. You can organize them by year or just go ahead and explore them all.
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All Inductees
Virginia Annette Brown
Tennis for Virginia A. Brown began at a park close to home, where she played tennis against mostly male players. They were good, but she was determined to be better. Her drive to be the best paid off — her room soon filled with trophies from local tournaments.
Odessa Public Schools recruited her to start a junior development program, and soon after Odessa College hired her to take over their tennis program. At a time when the number of female coaches was next to none, Brown excelled past her male counterparts at not only coaching, but also at taking a holistic approach to the profession.
Brown’s positive teachings and direct style of coaching struck chords with her players. Many of them went on to have successful tennis careers, including Sandy Collins, who spent 17 years on the pro circuit — in her second year as a professional player, Collins beat Billie Jean King and won the German open by defeating the #1 player in the world, Tracy Austin. Brown’s desire to always better herself is reflected in the motto she recited to her players: “I will. I can. I must.”
Brown brought out the best in others. Her ability to connect with her players and drive them to improve every time they stepped foot on the court led to a career filled with notable achievements, including NJCAA College Coach of the Year, NAIA Coach of the year, Who’s Who in American Women, coaching Professional World Team Tennis, being inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and many others.
Odessa Public Schools recruited her to start a junior development program, and soon after Odessa College hired her to take over their tennis program. At a time when the number of female coaches was next to none, Brown excelled past her male counterparts at not only coaching, but also at taking a holistic approach to the profession.
Brown’s positive teachings and direct style of coaching struck chords with her players. Many of them went on to have successful tennis careers, including Sandy Collins, who spent 17 years on the pro circuit — in her second year as a professional player, Collins beat Billie Jean King and won the German open by defeating the #1 player in the world, Tracy Austin. Brown’s desire to always better herself is reflected in the motto she recited to her players: “I will. I can. I must.”
Brown brought out the best in others. Her ability to connect with her players and drive them to improve every time they stepped foot on the court led to a career filled with notable achievements, including NJCAA College Coach of the Year, NAIA Coach of the year, Who’s Who in American Women, coaching Professional World Team Tennis, being inducted into the Texas Sports Hall of Fame and many others.
Jane Goodman
When Jane Goodman met officiating mentor Bob Cranor in 1982, she never imagined it would be the first step to an illustrious career as a tennis official—nor did she foresee earning the highest national honor bestowed on a USTA certified official.
When people talk about tennis, they talk about the players. Which is why Goodman’s induction into the ITA Women’s Collegiate Hall of Fame may come as a surprise to some. Even Goodman herself was taken aback. “I was stunned,” she says. “Because, as officials, we’re on the other side of
the line from the players and coaches. We’re the police.”
But to those who know Goodman’s career, her induction is anything but surprising. From being Chair Umpire in NCAA Division I college championships to Chief Umpire for ATP men’s professional tournaments for 17 years, Goodman’s long-lasting prowess as an official precedes her. Off the court, she’s done her fair share of training as well, including teaching national ITA clinics for USTA officials to certify them. She even helped create an ITA test for training USTA officials to work college matches. Her years of hard work culminated in 2012 when she received the McGovern Award, the highest award given to American tennis umpires.
“Every time I’m out there, someone says something that is funny, and it makes my day. That hasn’t changed since I started. It’s what keeps me coming back. Every match is a new experience,” says Goodman. “I find such joy in the game, being recognized like this is truly heartfelt. I’m very honored to represent officials everywhere.”
When people talk about tennis, they talk about the players. Which is why Goodman’s induction into the ITA Women’s Collegiate Hall of Fame may come as a surprise to some. Even Goodman herself was taken aback. “I was stunned,” she says. “Because, as officials, we’re on the other side of
the line from the players and coaches. We’re the police.”
But to those who know Goodman’s career, her induction is anything but surprising. From being Chair Umpire in NCAA Division I college championships to Chief Umpire for ATP men’s professional tournaments for 17 years, Goodman’s long-lasting prowess as an official precedes her. Off the court, she’s done her fair share of training as well, including teaching national ITA clinics for USTA officials to certify them. She even helped create an ITA test for training USTA officials to work college matches. Her years of hard work culminated in 2012 when she received the McGovern Award, the highest award given to American tennis umpires.
“Every time I’m out there, someone says something that is funny, and it makes my day. That hasn’t changed since I started. It’s what keeps me coming back. Every match is a new experience,” says Goodman. “I find such joy in the game, being recognized like this is truly heartfelt. I’m very honored to represent officials everywhere.”
Gretchen Rush
Gretchen Rush began her rise to tennis fame at the young age of 11. She competed in tournaments in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where every summer the best collegiate players from around the country played the National Amateur Clay Courts on the very courts she grew up playing on. With perseverance- infused talent, Rush soon went beyond the Tressel tennis courts in Mount Lebanon to playing in tournaments around the globe, earning the title of #1 junior tennis player in the world in 1982.
She has passed along her expertise teaching tennis for over 20 years in San Diego’s clubs and public parks coaching all levels and abilities from Special Olympians to NCAA champions (Stanford’s Amber Liu) to beginning senior players in their 80s.
Though Rush still enjoys representing the U.S. in the ITF Senior Team Championships, she devotes most of her time to training future all-stars at her alma mater, Trinity University, and bringing positive changes to her adopted San Antonio, Texas community.
As the International Tennis Director for the Special Olympics for five years, she found a great start to her life after playing tennis. “They showed me incredible courage, a sense of humor and a love of life,” Rush says. “I was honored to serve such a wonderful part of our tennis community.”
When looking back on her time as a college and professional tennis athlete, and then a coach, Rush believes there are four pillars that helped her get to where she is today, which she tries to instill in her Trinity players: dream big, love the fight, never give up and always believe
in yourself.
She has passed along her expertise teaching tennis for over 20 years in San Diego’s clubs and public parks coaching all levels and abilities from Special Olympians to NCAA champions (Stanford’s Amber Liu) to beginning senior players in their 80s.
Though Rush still enjoys representing the U.S. in the ITF Senior Team Championships, she devotes most of her time to training future all-stars at her alma mater, Trinity University, and bringing positive changes to her adopted San Antonio, Texas community.
As the International Tennis Director for the Special Olympics for five years, she found a great start to her life after playing tennis. “They showed me incredible courage, a sense of humor and a love of life,” Rush says. “I was honored to serve such a wonderful part of our tennis community.”
When looking back on her time as a college and professional tennis athlete, and then a coach, Rush believes there are four pillars that helped her get to where she is today, which she tries to instill in her Trinity players: dream big, love the fight, never give up and always believe
in yourself.
Alycia Moulton
In the 1970s, Alycia Ann Moulton proved she was a tennis force to be reckoned with by becoming one of the top junior players in the world. By the time the ’70s were coming to a close, Moulton had won the US Open Junior Championships, placed runner-up at the Wimbledon Junior Championships, and begun her WTA professional tour.
Stanford University offered Moulton a scholarship in 1978, which started a highlight-filled career. From her Collegiate Doubles Championships in 1979 and 1981 to being coached by tennis legends Anne Gould and Frank Brennan, and being a 1981 NCAA singles winner and part of the 1981 NCAA Team Championship squad, Moulton’s time at Stanford catapulted her into the professional tennis circuit. By 1984, Moulton rose to a career-high #18 world ranking in singles. She partnered with Chris Evert in doubles, powering through Great Britain’s home court advantage to win the Wightman Cup.
Having been inducted into the Sacramento Hall of Fame, the Stanford Hall of Fame and the Northern California Tennis Hall of Fame, Moulton’s career was chock full of accomplishments. After retiring from professional tennis, Moulton earned a law degree from the University of California at Davis and is now a member of the California State Bar Association. As a champion of nature conservation, Moulton has acquired hundreds of acres of parkland and works to protect northern California’s natural beauty.
Moulton continues her connection with tennis — she supports East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring program, which supports at-risk youth, founded by her former coach and fellow Stanford player, Jeff Arons.
Stanford University offered Moulton a scholarship in 1978, which started a highlight-filled career. From her Collegiate Doubles Championships in 1979 and 1981 to being coached by tennis legends Anne Gould and Frank Brennan, and being a 1981 NCAA singles winner and part of the 1981 NCAA Team Championship squad, Moulton’s time at Stanford catapulted her into the professional tennis circuit. By 1984, Moulton rose to a career-high #18 world ranking in singles. She partnered with Chris Evert in doubles, powering through Great Britain’s home court advantage to win the Wightman Cup.
Having been inducted into the Sacramento Hall of Fame, the Stanford Hall of Fame and the Northern California Tennis Hall of Fame, Moulton’s career was chock full of accomplishments. After retiring from professional tennis, Moulton earned a law degree from the University of California at Davis and is now a member of the California State Bar Association. As a champion of nature conservation, Moulton has acquired hundreds of acres of parkland and works to protect northern California’s natural beauty.
Moulton continues her connection with tennis — she supports East Palo Alto Tennis and Tutoring program, which supports at-risk youth, founded by her former coach and fellow Stanford player, Jeff Arons.