​Induction Year: 2017

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Tommy Connell has a lifetime of service to the tennis industry and the state of Texas. A Texas A&M University graduate and four year tennis letterman, Connell has served Texas tennis for over 40 years. He earned Professional of the Year honors twice while serving as director of tennis at the following facilities: Beaumont Country Club, Galveston Racquet Club, Royal Oaks Racket Club and Lakeside Country Club. Connell was president of USPTA Texas Division and served as a board member for twelve years and a national executive board member for two years.

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Connell also had a distinguished playing career where he earned National Player of the Year ‐ three years, Texas Player of the year‐ eight years and was ranked No. 1 several times in both singles and doubles. He won seven national titles (2 singles and 5 doubles), five silver and two bronze.

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He was a member of the national team that won a silver medal in South Africa. His highest national ranking was No. 1 in doubles and No. 2 in singles. He was a member of the Intersectional Team Champions twice. He won the first USTA Texas Senior Spirit of Tennis Award, Family of the Year, and was Ranked No. 1 in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles multiple years. Connell was also a Senior Tennis Council chairman and committee member, as well as a board member for the Houston Tennis Association. A former tournament director for the Houston Open, he also spent eleven years teaching tennis and training instructors on mission trips in Zambia, Egypt, and Mongolia

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