2025 Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony
The 2025 Alabama Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame was held on February 8th at Vestavia Country Club. Inductees are Tommy Magruder and Paul Rosner. The Hubert Kessler Inspiration Cup recipient is Dinah Howard.
Thanks to Charlie Ingram for photos.
2025 Hall of Fame Inductees
Michelle Grimes, daughter of Tommy Magruder is pictured and introduced Tommy for the Hall of Fame.
Few have contributed to tennis in Alabama as long as Tommy. Starting as a player in 1954, he became an officer in the Mobile Tennis Club, helping build the Copeland-Cox Tennis Center, which expanded from 8 to 60 courts.
Honored as USTA Alabama Volunteer of the Year in 2008 and Tennis Official of the Year in 2011, Tommy is a certified trainer and certifier of officials.
For over 40 years, he has supported Alabama tennis through teaching, leadership, and officiating.
Paul Rosner, pictured with and introduced by Art Freeman, for the Hall of Fame.
Paul, a South Africa native, began his Alabama tennis career in 1991, recruited by Coach Derek Tarr to play for UAB, where he won multiple National Collegiate Championships, including National Indoor (1994, 1995) and National Clay (1994).
As a professional, Paul earned notable victories over Jim Courier, Lleyton Hewitt, Mardy Fish, and Goran Ivanisevic. After retiring, he coached men’s tennis at Birmingham-Southern (2004–2011).
Now, Paul continues to impact Alabama tennis as the Tennis Professional at the Mountain Brook Club.
Congrats to Derek Tarr who has been inducted into the USTA Alabama Tennis Hall of Fame! During his remarkable 32-season career at UAB, Tarr became the winningest coach in program history with a record of 428-251, transforming the Blazers into one of the most respected teams in Conference USA.
An exceptional player himself, Tarr was Auburn’s first SEC individual champion and All-American. As a professional, he ranked in the top-100 globally and claimed wins over legends like Andre Agassi.
Tarr continues to share his passion for the sport as Head Pro at Brook Highland Racquet Club in Birmingham, Alabama.
Hubert Kessler Inspiration Cup Award Dinah Howard
Dinah, pictured and introduced by Dan Lucas for the Hubert Kessler award.
Dinah’s tennis journey began in 1989 as a player and volunteer in 1991, and she remains deeply involved.
She progressed from Local League Coordinator to founding a Community Tennis Association in Northwest Alabama, serving as USTA Alabama Board President, and Chairing the USTA Alabama Foundation. Under her leadership, she implemented lasting operational improvements for the Board.
Currently, she is collaborating with the City of Florence on a new tennis center, now under construction. Dinah’s drive and dedication continue to make a significant impact on Alabama tennis.
2024 Hall of Fame Recipients
Lizzie Jeffcoat with presenter Richard Harris
Paul Winn with presenter John Ed Mathison
Hubert Kessler Inspiration Cup Award Perry Thomas
2023 Hall of Fame Recipients
Presenter Hugh Thomson with inductee Leslie Hewett Bashinsky
Inductee Dudley Reynolds with presenter Hammond Reynolds
Hubert Kessler Inspiration Cup Award Boo Mason and Barbara Ernest
ALABAMA TENNIS FOUNDATION HALL OF FAME
Past Hall of Fame Members Attending
Nomination Procedures and Selection Criteria
Nomination
All nominations must be filled out using the jotform in the link below. The deadline for nomination is August 1st. Any person who is a resident of the state of Alabama may nominate a Candidate.
Nominator
The nominator must fill out all the basic information on the forms, as well as assembling additional information, such as letters of recommendation from people who can attest to the worthiness of the candidate.
Eligibility
All Nominees must be at least 40 years old at the time of induction, and must have currently resided within the boundaries of the state of Alabama continuously for five years (not including a Military Base) The Selection Committee only considers nominated candidates. Once Nominated, a candidate remains active for five years. After five years he, or she must be nominated again to be considered by the Selection Committee.
Criteria for Selection
The Nominator must provide complete information based upon the following:
- Accomplishments in tennis, as a player, coach, tournament official, teaching professional, or administrator.
- Impact on tennis in the state of Alabama as a volunteer
- Sportsmanship & Character, on and off the court.
Hall of fame nominations are due by August 1st.
Direct any questions to jerriec@alabamata.com.
Click here for nomination form.PAST INDUCTEES
1986
Paul Anderson
Jean Clark Johnson
Francis O’Rourke
Eugene Osment
Randolph Reynolds
Milton Richmond
Harvey “Red” Terrell
Frank Willitt
1987
Roberta A. Baumgardner
Ann B. Callen
Jack Evans
1988
Jack Bushman
Lucy Masterson
Pat Upton
1989
Wade Herren
Gordon “Brick” Warden
1990
Newton Cox
Richard Dillard
Tallie Dillard
1991
Les Longshore
John McWilliams
1992
Marvin Buchanan
Arnold Lefkovits
Frank Wagner
1993
Calvin Karrh
Fred Weckwarth
1994
Margaret Livingston
Paul Jones
Ronald Weathers
1995
Ballard Moore
Charlie Owens
Jerry Gardner
1996
Patrick DuPre’
James Lewis
Hugh Thomson
1997
Ann Etheredge
Ann Dielen
George Noel
1998
Jeff Gray
Joe Tommie
1999
Hunter Abercrombie
Mickey Harper
Clyde Jones
2000
John Callen
Dwight Giles
Marcia Weinacker
2001
Curt Keeney
Dana Loconto
2002
Linda Howard
Don McDougal
Jean Mills
2003
Steve Bloomberg
Dick Briggs
Corky Clark
2004
Vicky Marty
Mark Wilder
Red Wilder
2005
Bea Clark
Hubert Kessler
George Wurtele
2006
Livingstone “Rudy” Lewis
William Lubel
Marilyn Lubel
Ed Selfe
2007
Susan Briggs
Jason Morton
Mike Voyles
2008
Richard Lawson
Dan Lucas
Gayle Palmer
2009
Claire Magruder
Bryan Shelton
Ed Terrell
2010
Jimmy Weinacker
Jerry Nixon
James Lazenby
2011
Terry Bailey
Tommy Wade
John Pittman
2012
Donnie Ellis
Emily Baker
Milburn Price
2013
Scott Shepherd
Keith Swindoll
2014
Calvert Bibb
Becky Richardson
John Ed Mathison
2015
Jenny Mainz
Eleanora Mauritson
Charlie Lane
2016
John Ard
Terry Treadwell
2017
Elaine Francis
Sam Hooper
2018
Eddie Jacques
Grant Rolly
Boo Mason
2019
Richard Harris
John Pickens
Joc Simmons
2020
Greg Henderson
Charles “Flip” Phillips
Eric Shore
2021
Joel Mulkin
Drayton Nabers
Sarah Stewart
2022
Louis Hill
Dani Leal
J.C. Sanford
2023
Leslie Hewett Bashinsky
Dudley Reynolds
2024
Lizzie Jeffcoat
Paul Winn
2025
Tommy Magruder
Paul Rosner
Derek Tarr