Four New Members To Be Inducted into USTA Eastern Hall of Fame at Annual Dinner on April 29

April 6, 2011 - PRLog -- White Plains, NY –  A distinguished physician, a veteran sports journalist, and two outstanding tennis players will become part of USTA Eastern history on April 29, as the Junior Tennis Foundation hosts the 24th Annual Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame Dinner at the Water Club in New York City.

The four people who will be inducted into the Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame are: Dr. Brian Hainline, Chief Medical Officer of the United States Tennis Association; Robert L. Litwin, a senior national and world champion; Melissa Brown, a 1984 French Open singles quarterfinalist and winner of the Wimbledon Ladies' Plate; and Al Picker, the veteran tennis columnist of The Newark Star Ledger.

Proceeds from the annual dinner benefit the Junior Tennis Foundation, which provides scholarships for junior players and special populations throughout the Eastern section.

“We are excited to honor these four outstanding individuals, who have all left their mark on the game that we love,” said Bob Ingersole, President of the Junior Tennis Foundation. “By attending the annual dinner, you honor their achievements and help support the next generation of Eastern tennis players.”

Since its creation in 1979, the Junior Tennis Foundation has given out more than $2 million in grants to junior and special populations in the Eastern section.

“For more than 30 years, the Junior Tennis Foundation has been an important supporter of USTA’s Eastern junior players and programs,” said Jeff Williams, President of USTA Eastern. “And the annual Hall of Fame Dinner is a great event that allows us to thank the organization for all that is has given to the sport.”

The dinner begins at 6:30 PM with a cocktail hour. The Water Club is located at 500 E. 30th Street, New York, NY. To register for the dinner, visit www.eastern.usta.com.For more information, contact Ellen Del Colle, Executive Director of the JTF, at jtf@eastern.usta.com.

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The USTA Eastern Section, based in White Plains, New York, is a not-for-profit community service organization whose mission is to promote and develop the growth of tennis. The section encompasses all of New York State, Northern New Jersey and Greenwich, Connecticut. It is one of 17 geographic sections of the United States Tennis Association, the governing body of tennis in the United States, and supports more than 48,000 members. The section also establishes and maintains rules of fair play, high standards of sportsmanship and represents, in its jurisdiction, the programs and policies of the USTA. More information about the USTA Eastern section is available by visiting: www.eastern.usta.com.