Former UM Tennis Coach Enshrined in ITA HoF
SKILLMAN, N.J. – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association inducted the Class of 2015, including former University of Miami men’s and women’s tennis coach Jay Berger, into the International Tennis Association (ITA) Men’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame at its annual Enshrinement Banquet on May 20 in Waco, Texas.
The 2015 class consists of six inductees: coaches Fred Kniffen (University of Texas at Tyler & Tyler Junior College) and Jim Schwitters (University of Hawaii); players Jay Berger (Clemson University), Mark Merklein (University of Florida) and Jeff Morrison (University of Florida); and contributor Tim Russell (Northwestern University).
Berger coached the Miami men’s tennis team from 1997-2002, winning the BIG EAST Conference Championship three of five seasons and earning league Coach of the Year honors in 2000 and 2001. The team made five-straight NCAA appearances under Berger, including a run to the Round of 16 in 2001, posting a 21-4 record and ending the season No. 11 in the nation that year. Berger posted a 78-41 record in five seasons with the men and was 47-31 while coaching the women three seasons. The women’s team made three-straight NCAA appearances, and played in the Round of 16 in 1999 under Berger.
He was inducted into the Florida Hall of Fame in 1993 and the Greater Miami-Dade Hall of Fame in 2001.
As for his playing days, Berger was a 1986 ITA All-American at Clemson and went 91-22 in his singles career. Between his freshman and sophomore seasons at Clemson, he won the 1985 USTA Boys’ National Championship which earned him a wild card into the main draw of the 1985 US Open. He reached the fourth round, the best finish of any reigning boys’ 18 champion in the Open era. Berger was named to the ACC’s 50th Anniversary Team. He reached a career high of No. 7 in ATP rankings (with pro wins over Sampras, Chang, Courier, Edberg, Connors and Becker), reached the quarterfinals of the US and French Opens and was a member of US Davis Cup team in 1988 and 1990. He currently serves as head of men’s tennis for USTA Player Development.
For detailed information on each inductee, read the Class of 2015 official release. A DVD of the complete ceremony is available for purchase at $20. Please submit an order form to the ITA office if you would like to view the ceremony.
About the ITA Men’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame
The ITA Men’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame, housed at the University of Georgia’s Dan Magill Tennis Complex, was inaugurated in 1983 and has inducted more than 200 players, coaches and contributors. The ITA Hall of Fame museum displays over 2,000 rare photos and memorabilia. Its members include the late Arthur Ashe (UCLA), Jimmy Connors (UCLA), John McEnroe (Stanford) and Coach Dick Gould (Stanford). The late Dan Magill, legendary Georgia head men’s tennis coach, served as the curator from its inception until 2013. John Frierson is the current curator. For a complete list of the Hall of Fame Inductees, please visit www.itatennis.com.
