BHM: Former Georgia Tech No. 1 and three-time All-ACC player B.J. Traub

Black History Month takes centerstage in February and that also means center court as in tennis. Georgia Tech and Atlanta tennis fans should be excited as former Yellow Jacket No. 1 and three-time All-ACC player Ben "B.J." Traub connected for an interview about his story and what Black History Month means to him.

Traub starred at Georgia Tech in the 1990's earning All-ACC honors in 1995- 97. He's one of three Black men to play No. 1 singles at Georgia Tech. He's in good company, with Bryan Shelton and Christopher Eubanks being the others.

He's moved on to the business world and risk placement with the CRC Group in Boca Raton, Fla. He started at CRC in 2014 as a broker/AVP in the Atlanta office. He joined the Ross Team in January 2019. 

Traub worked in the wholesale space since 2005 specializing in commercial property risk placement. Prior to working in the insurance industry, he was a technology consultant for nine years, with a focus on financial data and analytics. He received his bachelor’s in management from Georgia Tech, while attending university on a tennis scholarship.

Ben, thanks for joining us.

Traub: Black History Month and tennis. I really haven't thought about it. For me, especially in tennis there has been a lack of representation in a sport I've had a lot of my life invested in. Not to throw shade or be negative, it is what it is. There hasn't been a lot of representation or resources behind it.

Take me through your recruiting process which led you to Georgia Tech.

Traub: For me it was a little different. My coach and Georgia Tech's coach Jean Desdunes were childhood friends. With the academic reputation of Georgia Tech and both my parents being teachers, it was going to be tough for me not to go there. The city of Atlanta, great tennis, great coach. When I was being recruited it was about letters (in the mail) and coaches coming down to our house and sitting at our dinner table talking about their program. It was different.

Would you think it would be different today?

Traub: With technology today it's a lot different. I'm sure there are player videos online and Instagram. Then you'd have to have someone vouch for them or go see them at a national tournament. There were probably more recruiting misses back in the day.

How often do you reflect on your tennis journey and where it has led you today?

Traub: A lot of my best friends were my teammates and competitors. I talk with them all the time. The stories and memories are still there and talked about in my circle. For my kids, I told them it was a lot of hard work and my wife also played tennis at Miami and we try to let them know that nothing comes easy and sacrifice and winning and losing are part of life. My son is a mean baseball player and good at soccer as well.

Do you think about you, Bryan Shelton and Chris Eubanks being the three African Americans that played No. 1 for Tech?

Traub: I moved away from Atlanta five years ago. Bryan left Tech after he won with the women. I used to speak to Bryan a lot, but never about being African Americans that played for Tech. With Bryan it was just about tennis and bringing the best program he could to (Tech). I always looked up to Bryan as a player. He set a good example for being a student-athlete at Tech. I just wanted to play No. 1. It wasn't about carrying a torch for me, it was about being the best player I could be. I met Chris once. He was so young compared to me. It was great to see him at Wimbledon last year. I've heard nothing but great things about him.

How has tennis and playing a sport helped you in your business career?

Traub: I'm in a sales environment at work, very competitive. If you aren't focused or diligent, you are going to get your butt handed to you, like tennis. At first, before I got into sales, I felt something was missing. A good friend got me into an industry where I could get my competitive juices flowing again. With tennis and sports, I can make a direct correlation to success in the business world. I would tell anybody when playing sports growing up, you learn how to win, how to lose, how to work and be a gentleman. Tennis has been a gentlemanly game to me with winning and losing and handling yourself the best you can.

The current state of your tennis game?

Traub: I haven't really played tennis in over a year. I maybe hit once a year with somebody randomly, but it's tough because I broke my collarbone a couple years ago and have a bad knee now. Now it's a rowing machine, a Peloton and watching my kids play sports. I do watch tennis on TV, but I'm not going to be playing all the time.

What the Williams sisters have meant to African Americans in tennis and who do you see as a future bright spot?

Traub: When you talk about Black History Month, Venus and Serena will be talked about 500 years from now. Nobody has had that impact in the sport. Now Coco Gauff and some others have been inspired by the Williams sisters. It doesn't translate as much to the men's side. The list for men is painfully short. I do think Ben Shelton is the brightest star we have at the moment to win, and it's been how many years, Slams?

Is it a numbers game, a lack of athletes or other factors?

Traub: On the African American side, Americans have played other sports and it has been an issue in those circles. There haven't been (enough) courts or the courts are in rough shape. There weren't enough resources for Black kids coming up. And did they want to play tennis? It has to start with Americans winning the big titles again. Until the U.S. has success and talent is developed, we may not win majors on the men's side for a while.

Great to catch up!

Traub: I love talking tennis all day long with anyone who wants to talk!