Nancy Jeffett and the Original 9 Shine at the Hall of Fame Ball

Sunday, November 01, 2015

This year the USIC members were front and center at the Legends Ball!
Members celebrated as the USIC, for the first time, gave the Sarah Palfrey Danzig Trophy to a group of women leaders instead of an individual. USIC President Dan Waldman and Secretary Don Tansey presented the Danzig award to six of the Original 9 women professionals who signed $1 contracts signifying the beginning of women's professional tennis. Members of the Original 9 who were unable to attend were: Peaches Bartkowicz, Julie Heldman, and Kristy Pigeon. The Original 9 represent the character and determination that helped level the playing field for all female tennis players.

The 2015 Legends Ball was extra special with the induction of USIC member Nancy Jeffett into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in the Contributor category. Jeffett, along with Amelie Mauresmo and David Hall, joined other tennis legends dating back to 1955. Jeffett is one of only 243 people worldwide who have been recognized for their contributions to the globalization of tennis.

Over the past 50 years, Jeffett has helped extend the sport's reach to women and juniors. She was one of the first to promote the Virginia Slims of Dallas and is a co-founder of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation which has donated more than $4 million to grow junior tennis.