The North Carolina Tennis Foundation is pleased to announce the
selection of two new Hall of Fame members for the class of 2009.
Susie Wall, of Burlington, and former Tar Heel men's tennis
standout Jim Corn, of Shelby, will be officially inducted into the
Hall of Fame January 31, 2009 with a commemoration event held at
the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst, NC. The North Carolina Tennis Hall
of Fame is housed in Greensboro, NC, which serves as a central
location for the whole state to enjoy.
William James "Jim" Corn continues to build a strong
collegiate-level coaching career that is backed by an even stronger
history of tournament and collegiate play. He has 14 state titles
and one Southern sectional title under his belt, which aided him to
secure top rankings as a junior and adult. His highest rankings
included: 8th in U.S in the Boy's 14 Singles; #3 in the South for
the Boy's 18s age division; #1 in the South for Men's Doubles; and
#1 in North Carolina in the Boy's 14s, 16s, 18s, Men's 35s and
Men's 40s. These high marks enabled Corn to become the first player
to receive a full scholarship to attend UNC Chapel Hill.
Corn went on to become one the Tar Heels most accomplished
tennis players when he played for UNC from 1969-1972. His most
notable achievements included: earning All-ACC honors four times,
setting a school record for wins during his career, winning two ACC
doubles championship titles and standing as the only player in ACC
history to win four individual singles championships at his
position. While at UNC he captained the tennis team his junior year
and co-captained his senior year. During his last three years at
UNC, the Tar Heels finished 20th, 10th and fifth in the nation,
respectively. To recognize his successful collegiate career, a
court has been named for him at the Cone/Kenfield Tennis Center at
UNC Chapel Hill.
Since his playing days in college, Jim compiled an impressive
list of students, including Tim Wilkison (ATP pro), Bryan Jones
(UNC All-American, ACC 50th Anniversary Team) and Peter Ayers (Duke
All-American, ACC 50th Anniversary Team). He also coached the
Raleigh Edge team to the Finals of the World Team Tennis
Championships in 1990. He currently coaches the Women's Tennis
program at Gardner-Webb University and resides in Lattimore with
his wife, Penny. They have two grown sons, Will and Hunter.
Susie Black Wall began her tennis career on the Carlson Farm
Country Club tennis courts with her mother at the age of 6. Her
persistence on-court was influenced at a young age by Hall of Fame
members Julia Ann Holt and Jane Preyer. As a teenager, she began
playing numerous tournaments and maintained a top four ranking from
1972 to 1975. After focusing solely on tournament play, she joined
Page High School tennis team her junior and senior years as the #1
position. She went undefeated and picked up two NCHSAA State
Singles Championship title. Just before entering college at UNC
Chapel Hill, she reached the #1 ranking in the North Carolina
Girl's 18s Singles division.
Susie joined the UNC tennis team in 1975 and played the #3 spot
under the guidance of Frances Hogan. As a sophomore and junior, she
became the top position on the team under the new coach Kitty
Harrison. In her senior year, she was ranked in the top 5 in the
South intercollegiately and won the ACC Singles flight at the #3
position. During her summers in college, she worked for Jimmy
Donaldson and Donna Sauls at the Greensboro public courts to help
run tournaments, umpire matches and help teach clinics.
After college, Susie continued to play tournaments and even won
the Burlington City Tennis Tournament while pregnant with her first
child in 1986. Once she picked the racquet back up in 1993, she was
unstoppable as she won every tournament entered. She reached the #1
ranking in the Women's 35s division and held that spot for four
years, remaining undefeated the entire span of time. Susie now
holds 19 North Carolina state titles, in singles, doubles and mixed
doubles. She currently resides in Burlington with her husband,
Ronnie, and two daughters, Ann Love and Maggie Love.
The North Carolina Tennis Foundation supports organizations and
programs that enhance the lives of people through tennis and
education, and preserves the history of tennis in North Carolina.
For more information please visit us www.nctennisfoundation.com. If
you are interested in donating to the North Carolina Tennis
Foundation, please call (336) 852-8577.