nominate now for 2027 deadline july 1st

Born in Shreveport, LA, Ann Jackson Ellis spent her early childhood in Baton Rouge, then moved to Houston , Texas. In High School, Ann was 3-time Texas Class 4A Doubles State Champion (72,73,74); She joined the Texas Junior Wightman cup Team (1972,1973).   In College, Ann became the first female tennis player to receive an athletic scholarship in LSU women's tennis history.  She competed from 1975-1979.  In 77, she and Kay McDaniel were runners-up in the AIAW National Collegiate Doubles Championship.

Post college, Ann earned national rankings with Becky Vest (No.5 wo.35s 2x); Rosie Garza (No.3 wo.25s); and with Rosie Garza again in 1995 when they were ranked No. 1 in wo. 35s.  She also represented her section on five consecutive National Women's 35s Intersectional Championship teams. In 2012, she and her mixed doubles partner, Jon Buise, were members of the USTA Mixed Doubles 9.0 National Championship team. 

Ann has won 3 Gold Balls: 1993 Women's 25 Hard Court Doubles; 1994 Wo. 25 Hard Court Doubles; 1995 Wo. 35 Hard Court Doubles. 4 Silver Balls: 1993 Wo. 35 Clay Court Doubles; 1994 Wo. 35 Hard court Doubles; 1995 Wo. 25 Hard Court Doubles; 1995 Wo. 35 Clay Court Doubles.

Lester and Nanette Shapiro of New Orleans, LA and their three children: Gene, Leslee and Neil have had distinguished tennis careers as players, coaches, teachers and volunteers. They have been described as “Louisiana’s Ambassadors". One would be hard pressed to find anyone who loved the game of tennis more than Lester. He was taught the game by his brother on the public courts of Rochester, NY. He won many New York state championships as a junior which landed him a tennis scholarship to the University of Alabama as the #1 player, captain and playing coach. WWII interrupted his education and upon returning to Alabama he met and married Nanette Keil of New Orleans, LA. Lester and Nanette settled in New Orleans where he continued his playing career at the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club. Nanette was a quick convert and regularly rallied with the children as they started out. But more importantly she happily weathered years of junior tournaments and housing out-of-town players. Lester and Nanette had deep ties to the USTA, Wimbledon, Queens Club, French Tennis Federation, and US Chapter of the International Lawn Tennis Club. Annually, Lester played senior doubles at the Queens Club and at least once played Senior Men’s Doubles at Wimbledon. Gene was one of the nation’s top junior players, a college standout, and an experienced teaching professional. She won her first tourney, the New Orleans City 12 and under at age 10 defeating Linda Tuero. She was ranked in the top ten nationally 4 times between 1963-69 and number one in the South 6 times in singles and doubles between 1963-69. She was USLTA National Junior Doubles champion in ‘63 and runner-up in ’65 and ’69. She was a member of the Southern Junior Wightman Cup Team from 1963-69. In ’66 she won the Louisiana State Women’s Title. In ’67, the Southern Team reached the Intersectional Team Match (Semi-finals) in Greenwich, CT. During those years, Gene regularly made impressive showings at national junior tourneys, reaching quarters, semis and finals. At the University of Florida, from 1969-74, Gene was the captain and #1 player of the women’s team. In 1973, UF complied with Title IX and sponsored its first varsity women’s tennis team. Gene was the fortunate recipient of the first women’s tennis scholarship at UF. She won the Gulf States Women’s doubles in 1971 with Peggy Andry. In ’75 and ’76, she won the Louisiana State Women’s Doubles with Kay Taylor. During these years and she coached the first Title IX Varsity Tennis Team at Tulane University for which she was inducted into the Tulane University Athletics Hall of Fame, Class of 2022 as the Women’s Varsity Tennis Coach. Gene’s teaching experience began as Head Pro at several Country Clubs around the country as she earned a USPTA Professional 1 certification and currently holds an RSPA certification of Elite Professional. Leslee had a “killer” forehand and competed competitively in Greater New Orleans Tournaments regularly reaching the semi-finals and finals in many of the contests. In ’69 she was ranked #1 in Louisiana Girls 16 Doubles partnering with Christine Boesch. At Isidore Newman High School, she went undefeated as the #1 singles player. She went on to play for the University of Texas between 1972-76. Neil was known for epic tennis matches with great rivals. In ’70 and ’71 he was ranked #1 in Louisiana Boy’s singles. At 16, He won the Men’s Singles Club Championship at NOLTC. In 1976, ranked 2nd in the nation, Neil and Drew Meyers playing for Newman, clinched LHSAA Boy’s State Championship over the vaunted Captain Shreve tennis squad. Neil played #1 for Tulane and achieved a National Ranking of #7 in the under 21 player group. He had many storied matches with the greats of his time. In the early ‘80s, while in graduate school, he played in the Southern California Tennis Satellite Circuit having wins over players who later went pro. In 1993, he had an STA ranking of #3 for over 35 singles and #6 in doubles with long time partner Eben Hardie III. They won the USTA Southern Men’s 35’s Outdoor Regional Doubles Championship. Neil served as President of the NOLTC during the rebuilding years during and after Katrina. Most importantly, Neil’s sportsmanship was unmatched and recognized often by others both on and off the court.

William Cleburne Simon is a highly respected and accomplished tennis player whose distinguished service as a USTA official, administrator, and volunteer has left a lasting impact on tennis in Louisiana. A self-taught player, Simon competed in the USTA Southern Section from 1987–2019, consistently ranking among the top players in his age divisions. He achieved multiple No. 1 Southern rankings, won the World Huntsman Games, claimed two National Senior Olympics titles, and was nationally ranked in the top 10.

Beyond his success on the court, Simon devoted more than 20 years to USTA officiating at the junior, senior, league and collegiate levels. His outstanding service earned him the Beau Holton Tennis Official of the Year Award twice, recognition for over 20 years of distinguished officiating service, and the USTA Southern Grassroots Official of the Year Award.

As a longtime volunteer with the New Orleans Metropolitan Area Tennis Association (NOMATA), Simon helped return Louisiana State League Championships to New Orleans, organized tournaments, mentored new officials, and was active in youth programs. He also volunteered extensively at Beach Club, promoting junior tennis, organizing community events, and played a pivotal role in improving tennis facilities.

Brett Schwartz has made an indelible impact on Louisiana tennis through decades of unwavering dedication as a player, coach, volunteer, and advocate for the sport. A passionate leader both on and off the court, Brett has served in numerous roles across the state, including as a long-standing USTA League Captain, tournament director, and mentor to countless junior and adult players. His contributions, esp his involvement in the USTA National (USTA National Committee Member), Sectional (USTA Southern President), and local level (USTA Louisiana President) have elevated the visibility and growth of tennis in his community, and beyond and his enthusiasm continues to inspire new generations. Brett’s induction into the USTA Louisiana Hall of Fame honors a lifetime of service, sportsmanship, and love for the game.

One of the great tennis families in LA.  Tennis parents (Madlyn and Charles) were instrumental in the orignal structure of the Hall of Fame. Active in Lafayette tennis for many years.  8 out of the 10  kids had one or more of the following:

    High state Rankings

    Decent Southern Rankings

    2 National Ranked (James and Kathryn)

   6 played college tennis (James, Stella, Terese, Kathryn, Jon and Madlyn)

   Won numerous high school state championships (Kathryn won 6 herself)

     All continue to play today...Kathryn helped clinch the National 50 and over mixed doubles team. 

James has been a long-time tennis professional in New Orleans. Charles, Jr., served multiple terms as a U.S. congressman for LA. The entire family has been superb ambassadors for tennis in LA.

Simply put, Andy Lloyd is the greatest player ever to come out of the Shreveport-Bossier area.  In 1961 He made it to the third round of the US Open and then beaten by Rod Laver.  In 1962, Andy reached the quarterfinals of the US Open before losing to Roy Emerson.  Of the 128 players throughout the world, Andy was one of the last eight to be eliminated.  He also reached the round of 16 in both 1961 and 1964 in the Cincinnati Open.   Andy came out of a world class tennis program at Trinity University and went on to become a tennis legend in the Shreveport community and of course, beyond.  Not only was Andy a great player but he was a class act and always a gentleman on the court.  Later in his career, Andy became a strong spiritual figure, sharing his love of tennis as the coach of the Evangel Christian Academy Tennis Team.

Andy will always be the "King of the Court" in Louisiana and for his incredible accomplishments as a player and his unmatched impact on Louisiana tennis,