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USTA NEW ENGLAND ANNOUNCES 2017 HALL OF FAME CLASS

 

WESTBOROUGH, MA- USTA New England is pleased to announce its 2017 Hall of Fame class. Lisa Albano-Fu, Chris Holmes, Paul Shaw and Jerry Albrikes will be enshrined on June 10 at the International Hall of Fame in Newport, RI.

“These four outstanding individuals are highly regarded in the New England tennis community, and it is our pleasure to bestow upon them our highest honor by inducting them into the USTA New England Hall of Fame,” said Scott Steinberg, USTA New England President & CEO.

Each of the four inductees has left his or her unique mark on New England tennis, and now their legacies will live on forever amongst the greats in New England.

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Lisa Albano-Fu, Andover, MA-  Lisa has been involved in tennis for 35 years, doing everything from playing to coaching to being a dedicated parent. Her career started as a junior, where she earned the rank of No. 1 player in New England in the Girls’ 18s division in 1988. The same year, she also achieved a top-10 national ranking.

Lisa went on to play for the University of California Berkeley where she was a four-time All-American and reached the national singles final in 1991. She was named Cal Tennis’ Women’s Player of the Decade.

She followed up her successful college career by achieving top rankings once again- this time as the No. 1 adult player in Northern California in 1997 and 1998.

Lisa is not currently playing competitively, however she still is involved with tennis. She coaches a ladies team and supports her sons, Ryan and Connor, who have both achieved New England and national success as juniors.

“Getting into the New England Hall of Fame is an amazing honor that I did not expect. I am lucky to have been part of New England tennis as a player, coach and parent, and it has been a great part of my life.”

Chris Holmes, Harvard, MA-  Chris is extremely familiar with the USTA New England Hall of Fame, as he presented his close friend and doubles partner Wade Frame into the Class of 2016. Frame will be presenting Holmes as a member of the 2017 class.

Chris has been involved in tennis for 45 years and achieved his most notable on-court success as an adult tournament player, reaching No. 1 in New England and as high as No. 5 nationally.

In 1990, he became the top-ranked New Englander in the 25 and over singles division, and 21 years later, reached the pinnacle at the 45 and over level. In 2015, he found himself No. 1 again in the 55 and over division.

As a doubles player, Chris achieved a No. 1 New England ranking in the 35 and over, 45 and over, 50 and over and 55 and over, all with Frame. The duo also recorded a No. 5 national ranking in 2014.

He says his most proud memories as a player are winning the Atlantic Coast Cup in 2005, New England’s first victory in the tournament, and reaching the semifinals of the Father/Daughter National Grass Courts in 2008.

Chris is also proud of founding the Thurston Cup, a senior tennis tournament. 

He has coached the Bromfield School girls tennis program since 2006 and reached the Massachusetts Division III finals in 2012. He previously served as the president of the Acton Indoor Tennis Association.

“It is a tremendous honor and a bit overwhelming to be joining the many great New England players and contributors in the Hall of Fame. Being recognized in this way is an amazing bonus to the fun I have had playing and being involved with the great game of tennis in New England.”

Paul Shaw, Norwell, MA-  Paul’s tennis journey began at age 11 in Bucharest, Romania at a club frequented by legends Ilie Nastase and Ion Tiriac. He played high school tennis at the International School of Geneva, Switzerland and continued on to play collegiately at Tufts University.

As an adult, Paul has held 15 No. 1 rankings in singles and doubles throughout seven different age divisions. He’s achieved top-10 national rankings in doubles as well as the Father/Son division, with his son Will. His Father/Son highlight was winning a Bronze Ball at the National Indoor Championships. 

Paul captained the Friendship Cup Team from 2001-2006 as well as the Atlantic Coast Cup 55s Team from 2006-2013. He picked up five consecutive wins on the Friendship Cup Team with co-captain Rob Miller and earned five first-place finishes with the Atlantic Coast Men’s 55s team.

He is currently ranked No. 4 in Men’s 65s doubles with George Deptula.

Paul has played USTA New England tournaments for 40 years and has played at Hingham Tennis Club, Bass River Tennis Club and the South Shore YMCA. He has also participated on USTA League 4.5 and 9.0 teams.

 

“I feel deeply honored to be recognized and inducted by USTA New England. I am very grateful for a life time of  friendships, team camaraderie, doubles partnerships and competitive spirit, promoted and embodied by the USTA.”

 

Jerry Albrikes, Daniel Island, SC (Hometown- Stratford, CT)-  Jerry has been playing and coaching tennis for 37 years and has had success at all levels. He was a two-time Class M State Champion for St. Joseph High School in Trumbull, CT in 1986 and 1987 and captained his Central Connecticut State University team for three years.

Jerry has played on a number of New England teams as an adult as well, including captaining the Church Cup and over 35s. He maintained a USTA ranking as both a junior and an adult from 1980-2010. He was an adult Sectional Champion in the singles, doubles and mixed divisions.

Jerry is also a heralded coach, leading a USTA 16s Intersectional team and a 3.0 Women’s National Championship team. He led the girls program at Lauralton Hall in Milford, CT and served as an assistant at his alma mater, Central Connecticut State University. 

Jerry helped lead the popular Free Tennis Lesson at the Connecticut Open (then Pilot Pen) and became the hitting partner for the pros at the event in 1997.

“I'm honored to be inducted and proud to be recognized for the time and energy I've put into a sport that I love to play, coach and teach.”

To visit the New England Hall of Fame webpage, click here.

About USTA New England
USTA New England, one of 17 regional sections across the country that comprise the United States Tennis Association (USTA), is a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting and developing the growth of tennis and increasing participation in the sport in New England by offering quality recreational and competitive programs for people of all ages and abilities. For more information, visit www.usta.com.