Lesley Sheehan ('84) Selected to USTA New England Hall of Fame Class of 2019
May 10, 2019 | Women's Tennis
NEWPORT, R.I. – Boston University Athletics Hall of Famer and current Director of Tennis Lesley Sheehan has been selected for induction into the United States Tennis Association (USTA) New England Hall of Fame Class of 2019, the organization announced this week.
The ceremony will take place Saturday, June 8, at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI. Sheehan will be inducted along with Jeff Bearup and George Ulrich, and will be presented by her sister, Annemarie Baker.
"We are extremely proud to celebrate Lesley, Jeff and George as the Class of 2019," said USTA New England President and CEO, Peter Parrotta. "This is the highest honor in New England tennis, and these three individuals have excelled on and off the court throughout their careers. They truly deserve to be recognized with the greats that have preceded them."
Recently wrapping up her 34th season overall as head coach of the women's tennis team and 11th season as Director of Tennis at BU, Sheehan has racked up an impressive slate of awards. Besides guiding her teams to 26 conference titles and 17 NCAA Tournament appearances, she is an eight-time conference coach of the year, a two-time USPTA New England Coach of the Year and 2002 USA Tennis New England Coach of the Year award recipient.
A native of Reading and current resident of Stoneham, Massachusetts, Sheehan has compiled a record of 410-275 with the Terriers. Prior to entering the coaching profession, though, she was a standout player herself. She earned New England rankings from the 12s division all the way through the 18s and reached No. 1 in doubles in the 18s. She went on to play four years at BU, where she had one of the most decorated careers in the school's history as three-time team MVP and two-time captain. During her junior year, she became the first women's tennis player in school history to qualify for the NCAA Singles Tournament.
During her collegiate career, she achieved a No. 1 NCAA New England ranking, No. 2 in the East and top-40 nationally. She compiled a career NCAA playing record of 54-16. During her senior year in 1984, Sheehan received the Mildred Barnes Award, presented annually to the department of athletics' most outstanding female athlete. The same year, she also received the Scarlet Key Award, oen of the highest honors given to a BU undergraduate.
Following graduation, Sheehan toured on the Pro Satellite Circuit, before returning to her alma mater as a coach. Sheehan has also played in a number of USTA Leagues in her post-college career.
"It is truly an honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I have lived in New England my whole life and have played the greatest sport there is. This lifelong sport is my passion and I am blessed to be among all of the great Hall of Famers in New England," Sheehan said.
The USTA New England Hall of Fame exists to recognize those tennis players and non-players in New England whose achievements as sportsmen or sportswomen are worthy of the highest commendation and recognition, or whose contributions as officials or individuals in a tennis- related activity have been so outstanding over a significant period of time as to justify the highest commendation and recognition. To visit the New England Hall of Fame webpage, click here.
About USTA New England
USTA New England, one of 17 regional sections across the country that comprise the United States Tennis Association (USTA), is a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting and developing the growth of tennis and increasing participation in the sport in New England by offering quality recreational and competitive programs for people of all ages and abilities.
For more information, visit usta.com/newengland.
The ceremony will take place Saturday, June 8, at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, RI. Sheehan will be inducted along with Jeff Bearup and George Ulrich, and will be presented by her sister, Annemarie Baker.
"We are extremely proud to celebrate Lesley, Jeff and George as the Class of 2019," said USTA New England President and CEO, Peter Parrotta. "This is the highest honor in New England tennis, and these three individuals have excelled on and off the court throughout their careers. They truly deserve to be recognized with the greats that have preceded them."
Recently wrapping up her 34th season overall as head coach of the women's tennis team and 11th season as Director of Tennis at BU, Sheehan has racked up an impressive slate of awards. Besides guiding her teams to 26 conference titles and 17 NCAA Tournament appearances, she is an eight-time conference coach of the year, a two-time USPTA New England Coach of the Year and 2002 USA Tennis New England Coach of the Year award recipient.
A native of Reading and current resident of Stoneham, Massachusetts, Sheehan has compiled a record of 410-275 with the Terriers. Prior to entering the coaching profession, though, she was a standout player herself. She earned New England rankings from the 12s division all the way through the 18s and reached No. 1 in doubles in the 18s. She went on to play four years at BU, where she had one of the most decorated careers in the school's history as three-time team MVP and two-time captain. During her junior year, she became the first women's tennis player in school history to qualify for the NCAA Singles Tournament.
During her collegiate career, she achieved a No. 1 NCAA New England ranking, No. 2 in the East and top-40 nationally. She compiled a career NCAA playing record of 54-16. During her senior year in 1984, Sheehan received the Mildred Barnes Award, presented annually to the department of athletics' most outstanding female athlete. The same year, she also received the Scarlet Key Award, oen of the highest honors given to a BU undergraduate.
Following graduation, Sheehan toured on the Pro Satellite Circuit, before returning to her alma mater as a coach. Sheehan has also played in a number of USTA Leagues in her post-college career.
"It is truly an honor to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. I have lived in New England my whole life and have played the greatest sport there is. This lifelong sport is my passion and I am blessed to be among all of the great Hall of Famers in New England," Sheehan said.
The USTA New England Hall of Fame exists to recognize those tennis players and non-players in New England whose achievements as sportsmen or sportswomen are worthy of the highest commendation and recognition, or whose contributions as officials or individuals in a tennis- related activity have been so outstanding over a significant period of time as to justify the highest commendation and recognition. To visit the New England Hall of Fame webpage, click here.
About USTA New England
USTA New England, one of 17 regional sections across the country that comprise the United States Tennis Association (USTA), is a not-for-profit organization committed to promoting and developing the growth of tennis and increasing participation in the sport in New England by offering quality recreational and competitive programs for people of all ages and abilities.
For more information, visit usta.com/newengland.
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