Tigers Tennis Holds Fundraiser, Enjoy Appearance by Pat Yeomans

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (Oct. 20, 2007) – This afternoon the Occidental Women’s Tennis program hosted a Doubles Round Robin fundraiser on the recently renovated and newly named McKinnon Family Tennis Center.  

Highlighting the event was 1938 Occidental graduate Pat Yeomans, who is known to be the greatest Oxy tennis player in the history of the institution. Yeomans, who recently turned 90, did not participate, but was on hand to watch.

Following the round robin, in which many alumnus, faculty and current Oxy players participated, Yeomans took a few minutes to share her tennis experiences. Yeomans also share some of her many “gold tennis balls,” which she received for winning National Championships as a player.

Beyond the collegiate courts Yeomans went on to make national and worldwide advancements in the realm of tennis. Most notably she was instrumental in re-introducing tennis as an Olympic sport at the 1984 Games in Los Angeles. Tennis returned as a full Olympic medal sport at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. Her campaign to reinstate the sport began in 1972. Prior to that endeavor, Yeomans took part in organizing the first women’s collegiate championship in 1958 and was involved in developing tournament play for 50-and-over age groups.

All those on hand enjoyed a barbeque dinner following the event. Many Oxy tennis supporters are already inquiring about next year’s round robin.

Among those who participated in the fundraiser were

Other attendees at the event were Linda Park, head women’s tennis coach, Ann Harris, Lauren Harris, Kisa Ito, Marissa Cassman and Yeomans.

Occidental tennis would like to thank all those who came out to support the program for the first ever women’s tennis round robin fundraiser.