Bud Collins presented official Hall of Fame ring
July 1, 2013
NEWPORT, R.I. — Few people are as synonymous with the sport of tennis as the legendary journalist and expert historian Bud Collins. For more than 50 years, Collins has artfully delivered the greatest stories of the sport to fans around the world through eloquent and insightful newspaper coverage and dynamic, engaging television broadcasts. His knowledge of tennis is second to none, and his energetic delivery has undoubtedly kept fans engaged, and attracted new fans to the game over the years. In recognition of his immense contributions to the sport, Collins was honored with the highest honor in tennis in 1994, induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Over this past weekend at Wimbledon, this important achievement was celebrated once again, when Collins was presented his official Hall of Fame ring.
Collins received his ring on Saturday during Tennis Channel’s Wimbledon Primetime coverage, where he was surrounded by friends and colleagues including Hall of Famers Martina Navratilova and Tracy Austin, whose careers’ Collins covered from start to finish, and fellow tennis journalists from Tennis Channel. International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum Chairman Christopher E. Clouser presented the ring, and Tennis Channel CEO Ken Solomon joined in the celebration as well.
“All sports should be so lucky to have someone as dedicated, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable as Bud Collins. The spirit he has brought to tennis over the years is incomparable, and his dedication to honoring and preserving the rich history of tennis is appreciated by so many players and fans around the world,” said Clouser. “It was a privilege to be able to recognize Bud’s contributions to tennis once again by presenting him with his official Hall of Fame ring. We extend our appreciation to Tennis Channel for supporting this well-deserved recognition.”
As one of the world’s foremost tennis historians, Collins plays an invaluable role in preserving the history of the sport through his books and other works. He has written numerous popular tennis books including The Education of a Tennis Player (with Rod Laver), The Modern Encyclopedia of Tennis, Total Tennis, The Bud Collins History of Tennis, and a memoir, My Life With the Pros.
Collins was elected to the National Sportswriters & Sportscasters Hall of Fame 2002, and in 1999, he received the Associated Press Red Smith Award, which is the highest honor in sports writing. Although he is best known as a tennis journalist and historian, Collins had his day on the tennis court as well. In 1961, he won the U.S. Indoor Mixed Doubles Championship, and he was a successful coach for Brandeis University from 1959 – 1963.
The Hall of Fame rings were introduced in 2011 and are being presented to Hall of Famers at tennis events around the world over the next few years as a special symbol of their Hall of Fame induction. The rings bear a green stone set in gold, and are etched with each honoree’s name and the Hall of Fame logo crest. The rings have been generously underwritten by The Bruce T. Halle Family of Scottsdale, Arizona.
Additional Hall of Fame ring ceremonies have been hosted this year at Roland Garros, where Chris Evert received her ring on ESPN; at the Australian Open, where rings were presented to 11 Australian greats; at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships, where Mats Wilander was honored; and at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, where Manuel Orantes received his ring. The ring presentations have offered a platform for tennis fans to re-connect with some of the greatest champions of the sport at venues and events that have significant meaning to the Hall of Famers and their fans.
Since 1955, 224 of the greatest champions and contributors to the sport have been inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Located in Newport, Rhode Island, the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum is a non-profit institution dedicated to preserving the history of tennis and honoring the game’s greatest heroes. In addition, the Hall of Fame provides a landmark for tennis enthusiasts, offering an extensive museum that chronicles the history of the sport and its stars, historic grass tennis courts that date back to 1880 and are open to the public, an ATP World Tour tournament and the annual Hall of Fame Enshrinement Ceremony in July, and numerous public events year-round. To learn more, visit tennisfame.com.