Induction Year: 2009

 

Lee Hamilton (1937-2012) was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and graduated from Arundel High School in Gambrills, Maryland. He received his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Bucknell University and his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He lived throughout the continental United States and Europe but settled in Texas in 1989.

 

Hamilton began playing tennis several times a week prior to 1969 and continued to play with his wife Molly in interclub league play and then in tournaments. He served as the president of the Community Tennis Associations in Houston and Dallas, enabling him to be directly involved at the grass-roots level. He served as the executive director and chief operating officer for the USTA for five years, during which time many positive measures were initiated to help the game's growth. In 2011, Hamilton was elected president of the Texas Tennis Museum and Hall of Fame.

 

Hamilton was ranked as high as No. 2 in Texas in singles four times and No. 10 nationally in his age division. He was ranked No. 1 in Texas in doubles in two age divisions simultaneously and No. 2 nationally in his age division.