Tennis Atlantic 10 Conference

Judy Dixon Of UMass Inducted Into The USTA New England Hall of Fame

June 25, 2008

NEWPORT, R.I. - Many friends and family came out to support UMass Head Women's Tennis Coach Judy Dixon on Saturday, June 21, as she was inducted into the USTA New England Hall of Fame along with five others at historic Newport, R.I.

"It's a little hard to take it all in because of all the accolades," Dixon said. "[The ceremony] was just one thing after another. It was really well done, a beautiful night.

"The highlight [of the whole experience] for me was the generosity of friends and family in their comments and so many attending for me," Dixon continued.

Dixon, who owns a 189-151 record in 16 years at UMass, has been a pioneer for women's athletics. Last season, she led the Minutewomen to the top overall seed in the Atlantic 10 Championships and their sixth-straight league semifinal appearance (and 10 of the last 11 years). Dixon has earned Atlantic 10 Coach of the Year honors on three occasions. The highlight of her career was in 2001 when she led UMass to the Conference Championship and the program's first-ever trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Prior to her time at UMass, the winningest tennis coach in school history played alongside Billie Jean King as a doubles partner. Dixon also found time to compete in the U.S. Open and Wimbledon. Away from the tennis scene, she has enjoyed many accomplishments as a journalist. One highlight was in 1975 when she became the first woman nominated for an Emmy Award in Sports Broadcasting for her color commentary on the Spalding International Mixed Doubles Championship.

Dixon enjoyed previous coaching success with Yale University from 1973-76, leading the team to a 16-3 record and Ivy League Championship in 1976. Her work with the university was recognized by the Yale Club of New York City in April of 2006.

The USTA New England Hall of Fame exists to recognize those tennis players and non-players in New England whose achievements as sportsmen or sportswomen are worthy of the highest commendation and recognition, or whose contributions as officials or individuals in a tennis-related activity have been so outstanding over a significant period of time as to justify the highest commendation and recognition.