Susie Keane Accepts Induction into the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame

Susie Keane
March 7, 2014
Pittsburgh, PA

Thank you Hilary for that introduction and thank you to my partner, Mary Doten, who I share this honor with… you were my first and my last paddle partner so you pretty much taught me everything I know. It was ALWAYS a pleasure to play with you, win or lose!

I would also like to congratulate Bob Callaway who will be inducted next week in NY and I’d like to thank the Platform Tennis Hall of Fame Committee for all they do and for selecting us this year and to everyone for being here tonight – it’s really great to see so many of you again and also to see so many new (& YOUNG) faces. And thank you to two of my very good friends who made the trip here with me today, Anna Fleckenstein & Suzanne Faunce.

You never know what’s in store for you, eleven years ago we moved from Detroit to Chicago and I went looking for a place to play tennis…not surprisingly, I ended up at Lake Bluff Bath & Tennis but with RayJ Murphy’s influence, was soon playing way more paddle than tennis. And then, after being talked into going to play in my first nationals (just for the experience) I was hooked for the next eight years and lucky to have Mary by my side – in the backhand court blitzing her way to net over & over again!!

My paddle days seem a long time ago though its really only been just over 3 years that we picked up and moved (again! Part of my husband’s job description) to Orlando. (I wish I could say that the move helped my golf game but sadly the opposite seems true)

But back to paddle, I miss the competition, the exercise and the camaraderie. It truly is a wonderful sport! I hear there are paddle courts in the Villages about an hour away but I think I’m still a few years from exploring that option!

Thank you all again for allowing me to take this trip down memory lane and reminding me how fortunate I was to play this great game with so many of you.

Enjoy the rest of your evening and safe travels!