This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Tennis expert (talk | contribs) at 23:46, 18 November 2008 (Undid revision 252412690 by SkyWalker There is no consensus to delete existing date links, and the other link is fine.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.
Revision as of 23:46, 18 November 2008 by Tennis expert (talk | contribs) (Undid revision 252412690 by SkyWalker There is no consensus to delete existing date links, and the other link is fine.)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff)Fern 'Peachy' Kellmeyer was born February 19, 1944 in West Virginia, U.S.. As a tennis player she captured numerous titles, and as an administrator she helped change the face of women's tennis. Kellmeyer is an alumnus of Florida Atlantic University.
A junior champion in the 1950s, Kellmeyer went on to play No.1 on the University of Miami women's tennis team and became the first woman to compete on a Division 1 men's squad. Hired as physical education director and coach at Florida's Marymount College in 1966, Kellmeyer sued successfully to overturn an AIAW rule barring women's athletic scholarships - blazing a trail for Title IX legislation.
In 1973, Kellmeyer was tapped by founder Gladys Heldman as the first tour director of the fledgling Virginia Slims circuit. She pushed continuously to secure additional venues and increased prize money for her players. In 1977 she brought the first woman's tennis tournament to Madison Square Garden.
Currently she is senior vice president of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.
Career highlights
- Ranked in the USTA Top 10, 1966
- Cincinnati singles champion, 1961; Singles runner-up, 1966
- West Virginia State singles champion, 1957 & 1958
- Orange Bowl Champion (13-and-under nationals), 1957
- Penn State Tournament champion in all three junior divisions, 1957
- Girls' 15 singles finalist, 1959
- Youngest player (age 15) invited to compete at the US Championships, 1959
- U.S. Junior Wightman Cup team member, 1963
- B.A.1966 Miami; M.A.1974 Florida Atlantic University
- No. 1 player on the University of Miami women's tennis team, 1964-1966
- First woman to play on the men's tennis team at the University of Miami, 1964-1966
- Coach, Marymount College women's tennis team, 1966-1971; Florida state champions, 1970
- Coach, U.S. Bonne Bell Cup Team, 1974
- Referee, first Virginia Slims Championships, 1972
- Tour director, Virginia Slims Tennis, 1973-1976
- Executive director, Virginia Slims Tennis, 1977-1981
- Organized first women's tennis event (Virginia Slims Championship) at Madison Square Garden, 1977
- Director, WTA, 1981-1993
- Vice-president of operations and player relations, WTA, 1993-1998; Senior vice-president, 1998 - present
- Member, WTA Tour Board of Directors, 1973 - present
- Davis Gray Special Service Award, 1987
- Distinguished West Virginian Award, 1988
- Shaping the Future of Women's Tennis/Virginia Slims Award, 1990
- Peachy Kellmeyer Stadium Court named at the Charleston, West Virginia Tennis Club Club, 1992
- Virginia Slims Tournament Directors Award, 1992
- USTA Girls' Sportsmanship Trophy, 1962
References
- "ITA - Fern 'Peachy' Kellmeyer". ITA Women's Hall of Fame McCormack-Nagelsen Tennis Center. Retrieved 2006-11-24.