BLACK TENNIS HALL OF FAME 2019 INDUCTEE RICHARD RUSSELL HAS PASSED AWAY

 

Born on September 8, 1945, Russell’s career was marked by numerous historic achievements that cemented his legacy as Jamaica’s greatest tennis player.

 

He remains the only Jamaican to progress past the first round in all four Grand Slam tournaments – Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open, including a flawless 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 victory over Richie Chopra at the 1966 Australian Championships.

 

Russell was a national champion at just 16 and became the most successful player for the Caribbean/West Indies in Davis Cup history, winning a record 10 rubbers between 1964 and 1976. His pivotal role in the 1966 Davis Cup tie against Venezuela, where he secured the deciding fifth match, earned the Caribbean team their first-ever victory. That same year, he teamed with Lance Lumsden to defeat Arthur Ashe and Charlie Passarel in doubles, a match that has become part of Jamaican sports lore.

In addition to his Grand Slam accomplishments, Russell made headlines for his victory over tennis legend Arthur Ashe in the final of the 1966 Kingston International Championships. This marked the first—and only—time a Jamaican won the prestigious ILTF Caribbean Circuit event. His career also included titles like the 1975 Kenya Championships and significant wins against renowned players such as Dennis Ralston in 1972.

 

Russell’s career was decorated with numerous accolades, including induction into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame in 2019. He was a founding member of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and served as director of Tennis Jamaica starting in 2012. From 2011 to 2012, he also chaired the all-island high school tennis championships, underscoring his dedication to nurturing local talent.

 

Off the court, Russell remained a passionate advocate for the sport. Through the Russell Tennis Academy, which he operated at Campion College and Hillel Academy, he dedicated his later years to mentoring young athletes and promoting tennis across Jamaica.

 

He also brought star power to Montego Bay as director of tennis at the Half Moon Club for 25 years, organizing celebrity events featuring icons like Illie Năstase, Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Pancho Gonzales, and Pancho Segura.

 

In recognition of his contributions to the sport and the country, Richard Russell was awarded the Order of Distinction by the Jamaican Government in 2022.

 

“He was not only a champion on the court but also a champion for the development of tennis in Jamaica,” said Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board.

 

Russell is survived by his five children—four sons and a daughter—who carry forward the legacy of a man whose accomplishments have left an indelible mark on Jamaican sports history.

 

CNW - Caribbean National Weekly, January 15, 2025

 

 

 

 

 

ROBERT C. "BOB" DAVIS HAS PASSED AWAY - BLACK TENNIS HALL OF FAME WILL HONOR AND CELEBRATE HIS LIFE

 

On January 15, 2025, Robert C. "Bob"  Davis passed away.  He now joins his mother and father, William and Doris, and his siblings, Bill, Shirley and Yvonne in peaceful eternal rest. Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.

 

Having spoken with Bob just a few weeks ago, our Founder of Black Tennis Hall of Fame, Dr. Dale G. Caldwell, President of Centenary University, in a short amount of time stated, "Bob Davis was one of the most extraordinary people I have ever met. I will always be grateful to him for lending his tennis celebrity to serve as the first Executive Director and then President of the Black Tennis Hall of Fame. We worked together like brothers to get the organization ready for our current CEO Shelia Curry. He will be missed by many people in and out of tennis."

 

Chief Executive Officer Shelia Curry shared that "Just as his brother Wilbert "Billy" Davis was a "Blueprint for Life," so was Bob. It was Bill who contacted me and told me he believed that work of mine he had reviewed was very similar to what his brother was doing. He gave me Bob's phone number and told me that I should call him. From that day to this one, being brought into the Black Tennis Hall of Fame under a mountain of leadership and guidance from both Bob and Dale, my commitment and dedication to the true significance of this organization will never change... as also will my heart for missing Bob."

 

The legacy of Robert C. "Bob" Davis will forever be a significant component of the history of the Black Tennis Hall of Fame.  At the 2025 Annual Induction Ceremony, an honorable moment of time will be provided to celebrate the gift of his life.

 

Biography

Born in New York City during segregation, Bob was introduced to tennis at the age of 8. Because of his color, he was not permitted to play in USLTA tournaments, but there was an alternative, the American Tennis Association (ATA). 

The ATA was created in 1916 to provide a competitive and networking venue for minorities. During the 1950 and early 60’s, Bob became a 2-time ATA National Champion; winning the ATA Junior National title and the Men's Doubles title with his brother, Hall-of-Famer Bill Davis. A hitting partner for Hall of Famer Althea Gibson and a Life member of the ATA, he competed in the U.S. National Championships (U.S. Open) at Forest Hills and was a USTA Mixed Doubles National Champion in 2006.
 

Off the court, Bob leased the largest private tennis club in New York State in the '70s and managed his family-owned sleep- over tennis Academy in the 1980's.
 

He then helped to create and was the National Program Director for the Ashe/Bollettieri "Cities" Tennis Program (ABC), which later became the Arthur Ashe Safe Passage Foundation. As CEO, this program introduced tennis to more than 20,000 inner-city children and provided health screenings, tutoring and academic support to these children in 10 U.S. cities across America. To date, these services have been provided to more than 85,000 inner-city children across America. 

Once the Arthur Ashe Safe Passage Foundation closed its doors, Bob created Black Dynamics, Inc., which offered
scholarships to the most talented minority youth to the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy. The founding belief of Black Dynamics was that youngsters needed world-class competition in order to reach world-class performance. Two
alumni of Black Dynamics represented the United States on the Federation Cup Team. 

 

Bob then created the Panda Foundation, Inc. (www.thepandafoundation.com). The Panda Foundation, modeled after the wildly successful Safe Passage Foundation, provides introductory tennis instruction to more than 500 urban youth each year. These under-served youth also receive dental and health related services as well as mentoring by local professionals. All Panda programs are free to the children.

 

Bob co-wrote Nick Bollettieri’s autobiography, “Bollettieri – Changing the Game” and continued to write
articles for Nick for many years. Bob also coaches professional players and, in 2014, was added to the coaching delegation of the Jamaican Davis Cup Team. He was inducted into the ATA’s New England Tennis Association Hall of Fame in 2006, the Black Tennis Hall of Fame in August, 2014, inducted into the Tampa Bay  Tennis Hall of Fame in December, 2014
and the USTA Eastern Tennis Association Hall of Fame in 2022. Bob is the father of two daughters, Tanya and Robyn.
Tanya is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and Robyn has a Master’s degree from Bentley College in Boston. Bob’s life mission has been, and continues to be, giving to youngsters some of the life-changing opportunities that were given to him: Teaching Tennis and Changing Lives!
 

Career Accomplishments:

 
• Winner of more than 50 tennis championships, including
    o    ATA National Junior Champion, 1961, Participant US Open, Forest Hills, New York
    o    ATA Open Men’s Doubles Champion, 1962, Participant US Open, Forest Hills, New York
    o    2006 Senior Mixed Doubles National Champion
    o    2024 Men’s 80s Doubles National Champion
• Five Hall of Fame Inductions
• Four Star Professional Master Tennis Coaches Guild
• National Tester USPTR (1978-1990) and USPTR Professional Certification (26 years)
• Private tennis coach of two adult players in the world’s top 50 – one reaching world’s top 5, the
other reaching number 42
• Launched the Black Tennis History website
• Owner/Manager - Taromar Tennis Academy (1982-1997)
• Developed the Bob Davis Tennis Classic, a professional tennis tournament designed to raise
funds to provide scholarships to needy youth to the Taromar summer camp

 

Bob's Induction Into The BTHOF

Black Tennis Hall of Fame Congratulates The Metro Richmond Tennis Club 2024 Awards Banquet!!

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!! ENJOY THE HOLIDAY!!

 

NOMINATIONS FOR THE CLASS OF 2025 ARE NOW OPEN!!!

 

BLACK TENNIS HALL OF FAME 16TH ANNUAL INDUCTION CEREMONY: CEO Shelia Curry And Newly Elected President of The American Tennis Association Robert Foster

 

FOLK ARTIST WILLIAM CLARKE AT THE 2024 ANNUAL INDUCTION CEREMONY

 

 

 

NEWLY ELECTED AMERICAN TENNIS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT ROBERT FOSTER AT THE 2024 ANNUAL INDUCTION CEREMONY

 

WELCOME NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS IRVIN V. CANTOR AND DAVID O. HARRIS, JR.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 IRVIN V. CANTOR

 

EDUCATION

J.D., University of Virginia: 1978

B.A., University of Virginia: 1975

Attorney Irvin Cantor, founding partner of the Richmond, VA law firm of Cantor Grana Buckner Bucci, has been dedicated to the families of those who have suffered serious injuries or wrongful death since 1979. His work has resulted in more than 2,000 favorable verdicts and settlements for his clients, including more than 500 traumatic brain injury cases. He has recovered more than 50 verdicts and settlements larger than $1 million for his clients. The vast majority of Irv’s cases are referrals from other trial lawyers. Many professionals in the field have asked Irv to represent them in their own injury cases, including attorneys, judges, claims adjusters, and physicians.

 

Traumatic brain injury cases comprise the largest portion of Irv’s practice. He has successfully handled brain injury cases for over 40 years. He wrote the chapter dealing with legal aspects of brain injury cases for the seminal medical textbook on the subject, Brain Injury Medicine. Irv was featured on the cover of the 2015 Virginia and West Virginia Super Lawyers® magazine, with the cover story featuring Irv’s career in handling brain injury cases. Irv served as chairman of the national legal conference for the Brain Injury Association of America. He is a past president of the Brain Injury Association of Virginia and was the 2010 recipient of the Weinstock Award from BIAV.

 

Irv has been voted by his peers as one of the Top 10 Lawyers in Virginia in the Super Lawyers® poll every year from 2012-2018. He was one of only 33 members named in Virginia Lawyers Hall of Fame’s inaugural class in 2018. He was also voted Plaintiff Personal Injury Lawyer of the Year in Richmond by Best Lawyers in America® in 2014 and 2016, as well as Plaintiff Medical Malpractice Lawyer of the Year in 2020.

 

Irv is a past president of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Association and the American Board of Trial Advocates – Virginia Chapter. Irv is the current president of the Virginia Trial Lawyers Foundation. 

 

Irv is a frequent lecturer throughout Virginia and the U.S. to other trial lawyers on numerous subjects, including traumatic brain injuries, truck accident cases, and elements of trial. He is the co-author with

Judge Samuel Johnston of the book, The Art and Science of Mastering the Jury Trial.

 

Irv is also the founder and president of Jury Impressions, a jury consulting company which, among other

services, arranges mock trials and focus groups for trial lawyers throughout the country. Irv also serves as a mediator and arbitrator in a wide variety of cases dealing with catastrophic injuries and death.

 

Irv has been married to Karen Cantor for 35 years and they have three sons, Joseph, Jackson, and John. 

 

In his spare time, Irv enjoys playing tennis and golf. 

• 1968 – Ball Boy for Arthur Ashe in US Davis Cup match at Byrd Park

• 1968-1969 – Played on State Championship Teams at Thomas Jefferson High School

• 1970 – Played on State Runner-Up Team at Thomas Jefferson High School

• 1971 – Played No.1 for Thomas Jefferson High School -Virginia State High School Champions

• 1971 – Won City 18 and Under Tournament

• 1971 – Won Home Beneficial 18 and Under Tournament

• 1972 – Finalist, Southeastern Open Men’s Tournament - Battery Park

• 1972 – Played Richard Raskind (later became Renee Richards) in tournament in NY

• 1971-1974 – Member UVA Varsity Tennis Team

• 1972-1975 – Summer Employee of RTPA at Byrd Park – ran junior tournaments (City

Tournament, Home Beneficial, Sam Woods) and ran tennis clinics on Richmond public parks in

conjunction with Richmond Parks & Rec Dep’t. (My RTPA job was the best job I ever had)

• Late 1970s – Was Co-Director of City Tournament with Bill Correll

• Late 70’s and early 80’s – Assisted Lou Einwick with Professional Tournament

• 1982 – Served as Legal Counsel and co-promotor for Borg-Connors Exhibition at Richmond

Coliseum

• 1983-1987 – Worked as a Co-Director of World Class, Inc.

o promoted tennis exhibitions with Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Roscoe Tanner, and others in the US

o put together a professional tennis team for Best Products, including Rodney Harman, Mark Vines, Eliot Teltscher, and Robert Van’t Hof

o promoted Sudafed Open Tournament in Raleigh, NC for junior veteran players, including Ken Rosewall.

• 1992 – Chaired Committee to bring the Davis Cup Finals to the Richmond Coliseum

• 2020-2023 – Working with Mayor’s Office and Parks & Rec Department of the City of Richmond

to revitalize tennis program and build an indoor facility at Byrd Park

• 2022-2023 – Board Member of RTA

• 2023 – Committee member – Tennis Under The Lights

• 2023 – Committee member – Black Tennis Hall of Fame Celebration.

 

 

 

 DAVID O. HARRIS, JR.

 

As the Vice President of Liquid, INC, a family owned and operated construction company in Richmond, VA, David has lead in partnership with his father for the past 29 years. With a commitment to leadership, craftsmanship and a desire to keep society moving through quality construction practices, he has maintained a high level of integrity. Through those three ideals, David has encouraged and fostered a culture in Liquid, INC of excellence, integrity and sustainable growth.

 

Throughout his career, David has lead and participated on several teams and charitable organizations. Most recently, David was the visionary and influencer for the historical re-naming of “Boulevard” a street with no name, to Arthur Ashe Boulevard, after his iconic uncle. He also volunteers for Metro Richmond Tennis Club as an instructor teaching underserved youth tennis.

 

On the 22nd of June 2019, the day of the street dedication, David founded & launched The O’Brien Foundation, an organization committed to education, athletics, leadership, community development and social justice. Additionally, he serves as a deacon at Fifth Baptist Church, vice president of the Black Business Alliance of Virginia and board member of the Challenge Discovery Project. Additionally, David earned a degree in Finance & Banking from the HBCU Virginia Union University, Richmond, VA as a student athlete. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Tennis Hall of Fame Founder Dr. Dale Caldwell Is "Successful Because Of Diversity" - News Interview Sharing Dr. Caldwell's Continuous Commitment To Black History

 

 

Lehigh Valley Regional News, Priscilla Liguori, February 5, 2024

 

HACKETTSTOWN, Pa. - February is Black History Month, though the head of Centenary University is devoted to educating people about black history all year long. He co-founded the Black Excellence Alliance, which highlights black history and accomplishments via different halls of fame.

 

"My dad knew and marched arm and arm with Dr. King, and my mom was a school teacher, and they grew up in the South, and so they grew up around segregation," said Dr. Dale Caldwell, Centenary University's first African American president.

 

Understanding history is important to Caldwell.

 

 "If we don't know our path or our history, we're doomed to repeat the bad parts of history, and so by really educating people about the struggles of others, it gives us a sense of what's going on today," said Caldwell.

 

It's why Caldwell founded five black halls of fame. The first one was for tennis in 2008, and then came inventors, entrepreneurs, authors and educators.

 

"There are so many people, especially African Americans, who did amazing things, but we're left off out of the history books, and so I said, well, why don't we try to do something to make sure that that history is memorialized and those people are recognized," said Caldwell.

 

Centenary's library director is also on the board of the Black Inventors Hall of Fame.

 

"I've just learned so much, and I've been able to share that history as well," said Susan Van Alstyne, the director of the Taylor Memorial Library at Centenary University.

 

Some of that history is documented in the library's Dr. Caldwell room, which full of hundreds of books he donated to the school community, upon taking the job of president last year.

 

"He and his daughter came here one day in a U haul," said Van Alstyne.

 

Caldwell, whose an author too, says more halls are in the works.

 

"This idea of unifying America, with black history....we're approaching the Super Bowl. The winning Super Bowl team is going to have a center and a wide receiver and running back and defensive backs. All different people, different body types, but they're successful because of their diversity," said Caldwell.

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Centenary is holding events with the different halls of fame throughout the month.