EASTERN TENNIS HALL OF FAME
HALL OF FAME 2026 INDUCTEES
Joel Ross
Joel Ross grew up in Westbury, Long Island and was a top Eastern junior player, winning the New York State high school singles championship in 1967 and 1968. At the University of Michigan, where he captained the tennis team, he won the Big Ten singles and doubles championship in 1971 and 1972 and appeared on the cover of Tennis Magazine. Joel turned professional after college and reached a world ranking of 288 in 1976. In 1977 as player and coach of the US Maccabia tennis team, he won a gold medal in men’s doubles partnering with Peter Rennert. Following his retirement from the tour, for the next 30 years he ran the Joel Ross Tennis Academy at Mount Vernon Tennis Center and Joel Ross Tennis Camp at Kent School in Kent, CT. He and his wife Ellen of 55 years reside in New Rochelle, NY. They have four children, Scott, Gena, Julie and Jamie and five grandchildren.
Terry Phelps
Terry Phelps is a former American professional tennis player known for her competitive baseline game. She began playing tennis at age nine in Westchester, NY, developing a tenacious style characterized by long strides and relentless pursuit of shots despite an initially awkward physique. She was a top Eastern junior, winning the Easter Bowl in the 14s and the 16s and 18s girls national championships.
She turned professional in the early 1980s and competed on the WTA Tour through the early 1990s, amassing a Grand Slam singles record of 27 wins and 27 losses across all four majors. Terry reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 20 on May 26, 1986. Along the way, she reached the quarters at the French, 4th round at US Open, 3rd round of Wimbledon and two appearances at the Madison Square Garden year-end championships. She boasts back to back victories over Gabriela Sabatini.
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Robbie Wagner
Robbie Wagner played for John Adams High School in Queens and for Brooklyn College before taking a swing at the satellite pro tour. It was on the tour that Robbie discovered his love of and talent for coaching tennis.
Over the ensuing decades, Robbie built up a reputation as a top developer of junior talent. He worked 15 years as the Senior Teaching Professional at Long Island’s Rosyln Racquet Club before founding his eponymous Tournament Training Center.
He is also co-founder of the Eastern Excel Tennis Camp and has coached at the US Open and Junior US Open. He has received multiple awards and honors over the course of his coaching career and has trained and mentored many nationally and internationally ranked junior players.
Jenny Schnitzer
Jenny Schnitzer spent more than three decades growing tennis as a part of the USTA Eastern staff, eventually serving for ten years as the organization’s Executive Director and CEO.
A prodigious junior, Jenny was discovered in a New York City park by Eastern Tennis Hall of Famer Arvelia Myers, who convinced the young athlete to try competing in Eastern junior tournaments. Owing to strong results in those events, Jenny went on to receive a scholarship from St. John’s University, where she competed for the women’s tennis team. Fresh out of college, she aspired to give back to the game that afforded her so many opportunities and accepted a position at USTA Eastern introducing the sport to schools and local communities across New York and New Jersey. In this role, she collaborated closely with community tennis associations and recruited a large number of volunteers to help provide additional programming. Some of those volunteers would eventually do so much for the section in the ensuing years that they later won national awards for their endeavors; some were even inducted into the Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame. As she rose up the ranks, ultimately ascending to executive director in 2015, Jenny continually emphasized the importance of the community effort—understanding that her own journey in the game began in a local park. Jenny retired from USTA Eastern in 2025 but still teaches tennis to juniors in Goshen, N.Y.
Danny Burgess
Daniel “Danny” Burgess†, of Freeport N.Y., was a longtime instructor and community tennis advocate who played an integral role in the growth of tennis on Long Island right up until his passing in 2020. Danny himself learned how to play at a young age, so he understood firsthand the enrichment the sport could provide at such a formative time. For over 30 years, he taught juniors through his eponymous Daniel Burgess Tennis Academy and also hosted a summer camp for local kids—often allowing participants to attend free of charge if their parents couldn’t afford the cost. Additionally, he founded the Learning Institute of Tennis, Life Skills and Sportsmanship (LITLSS), which combined instruction with educational programming like afterschool tutoring.
In addition to his extensive efforts teaching children, Danny—who served for six years as the USTA Eastern Long Island Region President—worked tirelessly to foster a spirit of community among tennis enthusiasts across Long Island. He expanded the area’s volunteer base, organized countless free clinics and frequently introduced the game to new audiences. He assisted in securing funding for the renovation of the tennis courts at the Northport VA Medical Center so veterans could learn how to play safely, developed programming for the Freeport and Merrick Police Activity Leagues and brought accessible tennis lessons to several Long Island senior centers. Many participants sat in chairs and used modified equipment while Danny fed them low-compression balls. For all his achievements, he was awarded USTA Eastern’s Fran Osei Community Service Award in 2018.
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† In Memoriam
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EASTERN TENNIS HALL OF FAME WEBSITE
The Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame was established in 1988 to honor individuals from the USTA Eastern Section who have made significant contributions to tennis on and off the court. In 2023 we commissioned the Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame online archival website.
Please click the button below to view the history and learn more about our inductees.
ABOUT THE HALL OF FAME
Each year the Eastern Tennis Hall of fame hosts a ceremony to induct up to six new members.
Who is eligible for consideration as an inductee to the Hall of Fame*?
PLAYERS
PROFESSIONAL: Players achieving international status and ranking, representing USA in Olympics and in either the Fed or Davis Cups.
EASTERN SECTION: Players who rose to prominence through the Eastern junior rankings.
CONTRIBUTORS
Professionals in media from Eastern Section, such as broadcasters, writers and photographers, who made significant national or international contributions to the sport.
VOLUNTEERS
People who made a significant impact in the growth of tennis in the Eastern Section.
*Residency requirement - At least ten years residency in the Eastern Section is required in order to be considered.
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