This Spring, alumni Jane Forman ’80 will be inducted into the RI Interscholastic League’s Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2013. The induction banquet will be held Wednesday, May 8, 2013.
A former top 50 world-ranked tennis professional and Clemson Hall of Fame athlete, Jane founded the Jane Forman Tennis Academy in 1990. Born and raised in Providence, RI, Jane climbed the ladder as a national top 20 junior player before attending Clemson University on a full tennis scholarship.
Jane has devoted the last 20 years to developing community tennis and sports programs for children and adults of all ages and abilities. What follows are some highlights from Jane’s playing career, both as a student and today. Jane began her tennis career as a Junior Player in Providence, RI. She began competing in Rhode Island at the age of 10 and won the Rhode Island state championships every year that she lived in the state. From the ages of 10-18, Jane competed in United States Tennis Association (USTA) Junior Tournaments all throughout New England. She never dropped below a 3rd ranking in New England throughout her junior career. At the age of 18, Jane won the women’s New England championships, ranking her the number 1 women’s tennis player in New England. In 4 years of high school tennis play, Jane never lost a match; in fact, she never lost a set.
Jane attended Clemson University in 1980 on a full athletic scholarship and was named to the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) All American Team for four consecutive years; she achieved the “winning-est” record in Clemson University history, a record that still stands today. In 1980, she started her professional career as an amateur so she could continue to work towards obtaining a college degree.
In 1984, Jane became an “official” professional player and competed for 10 years, reaching top 50-ranked player status in the world on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Circuit; she also competed on the following circuits: the United States Tennis Association professional circuit; the International Tennis Federation (satellite); Grand Slam tournaments; and the Virginia Slims Circuit. Some of Jane’s notable top ten opponents include Tracy Austin, Pam Shriver, and Andrea Jaeger. Her most memorable match was playing Martina Navratilova on Wimbledon’s Center Court in 1986.
Jane retired from competitive play in 1989 and turned her efforts and enthusiasm for the sport of tennis to teaching tennis and sports management. The Jane Forman Tennis Academy (JFTA) was conceived of and founded in 1990 to bring high quality tennis to non-club amateurs, both children and adults. The JFTA staff is comprised of retired touring tennis professionals and certified instructors who specialize in teaching children. The Academy provides classes, instruction, after-school programs, leagues, and tournaments for adults, teens, and children.
In 2002, Jane created a Miami-based sports management group, Jane Forman Sports, that consisted of: (1) The Jane Forman Tennis Academy; (2) Jane Forman Golf School; and (3) Dade County Sports. Additionally, she established the Dade County Sports Foundation, which is a not-for-profit enterprise that provides sports scholarships to any of the sports programs managed by Jane Forman Sports. Each of these companies is unique; however, they are all similar in their mission to provide recreational sports programs for all ages, demographics, and abilities.
For more information, contact Jane’s office at 305.235.9200 or email jane@janeformantennis.com.
