VALLEY FORGE – Bloomsburg University men's and women's tennis coach
Marty Coyne is one of four individuals that has been selected for induction into the USTA Middle States (USTA MS) Hall of Fame. The group also includes Jenni Goodling, Delaine Mast and Jay Witmer.
“These four inductees have been essential for the growth of tennis in our area,” said Middle States President Gina Pileggi. “Their impact from the central Pennsylvania region – and throughout all of Middle States – has been felt for years, and will continue to be felt for years to come.”
“The impact of these inductees to the community and the game, and their service to tennis over a long period of time is remarkable,” added USTA MS Executive Director Marlynn Orlando. “We feel privileged to honor this group. It is truly a recognition well-deserved.”
The 20th annual Middle States Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Auction will take place on Friday, Oct. 25 at the Lancaster Marriott at Penn Square in downtown Lancaster, Pa.
Proceeds from the evening will be used towards the growth of junior tennis in Middle States, with 25 percent of that being distributed specifically in the Central Pennsylvania District.
“It's our pleasure to acknowledge these individuals for their exemplary service and their dedication to promote and develop the growth of tennis,” said Hall of Fame Chair Malcolm Riley. “This group continues our tradition of representing some of the finest achievements in USTA Middle States in the Hall of Fame, and we look forward to a tremendous evening in October.”
Coyne has coached tennis for nearly two decades at Bloomsburg University leading the men's team for 20 years and the women's team for 19. As head coach of the men's program he has guided the Huskies to a record of 249-146, while with the women's team he has compiled a mark of 283-106. The men's team has made 16 trips to the NCAA championships, while the women have earned 15 NCAA championship appearances.
A 12-time PSAC Coach of the Year honoree, Coyne was also a standout player at Bloomsburg, winning eight conference titles en route to All-America honors (1983). A Bloomsburg Hall of Fame inductee, Coyne and his players have been instrumental in promoting tennis in the community, forming a town park tennis program, hosting a Special Olympics training center and volunteering with Meals on Wheels.
It is a great honor and privilege to be chosen for induction into the USTA Middle States Hall of Fame,” said Coyne. “I'm deeply touched and blessed to be included with so many of my tennis heroes like Billy Jean King, Bill Tilden, Don Budge, Ron Woods, and Harry Hopman.”
Those interested in learning more about the event should contact Kasey Connors at
connors@ms.usta.com.
Inductee Bios
Jenni Goodling (York, Pa.) parlayed her experiences as a young pro player into a career as a tennis teacher and advocate. The 2008 Middle States Teaching Pro of the Year, Goodling played in all four Grand Slams and amassed a playing resume that included tennis on six continents. In recent years, Goodling has been a catalyst for growing tennis in the York area, coaching juniors and adults at various levels. An outstanding motivator, she teaches tennis to juniors by building confidence and emphasizing the life-skills presented on the court. She has donated hundreds of hours to tennis by providing free clinics, lessons and coaching workshops to the local community.
Delaine Mast (Lancaster, Pa.) has spent more than 30 years using tennis as a platform to positively impact communities and change lives for the better. Currently serving as the National Program Coordinator for World TeamTennis (WTT), Mast has coaching experience that spans several decades and has served the USTA as a board member at district, section and national levels, including a two-year term as President of Middle States (1999-2000). Mast is the founder and Executive Director of the Junior Tennis Corporation of America, a non-profit organization that provides free tennis lessons to more than 10,000 youth in 13 cities nationwide.
Jay Witmer (Millersville, Pa.) has impacted tennis at many levels in the past 30 years by growing USTA programming and organizing teams throughout the central Pennsylvania region and beyond. A former USTA MS President (2005-06), Witmer started with Middle States as a league coordinator in the early 1980s, and after just a short period of time, was looking for more ways to get involved. An Area League Coordinator in CPD for the past 10 years, Witmer also won the Carol Strasser Memorial League Service Award in 2007, and is a Lancaster Tennis Patrons Hall of Fame inductee. He can be found at USTA League Tennis Section Championships each summer as a volunteer, as he continues to find new ways to get involved.
About the Hall of Fame
The USTA Middle States Hall of Fame Induction Dinner and Auction is in its 20th year. The annual event supports the junior tennis programs and activities and furthers tennis education objectives in Middle States. Established in 1994, the prestigious Hall boasts 82 prior inductees including tennis legend and women's rights pioneer Billie Jean King, and former USTA Presidents Jane Brown Grimes, Merv Heller, Judy Levering and Martin Tressel. The event provides an opportunity for all who love the game of tennis to celebrate the past and support the future.
