DeBree, B. J.

As both a competitor and an instructor, B.J. DeBree has played a major role in platform tennis, both nationally and in her home state of New Jersey, for more than 40 years. She won the National Mixed Doubles Championship in 1974-1976, and was a finalist two other times in the decade, in 1971 and 1977. DeBree also won the National Women’s Doubles from 1971-1973, and was a finalist in that event in 1974 and 1976. She continued her winning ways on the Senior level, capturing the Women’s 40+ and 60+ in 1990 and 2010, respectively, and making the finals in the 50+ in 1992, the same year she won the Mixed 50+. She also won many state, regional and club events, including a total of 26 championships at her club Seabright Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club in New Jersey. Aside from this outstanding playing record, she was an active promoter of platform tennis as a teacher in the Monmouth County area of New Jersey.

DeBree had a reputation as a keen competitor, while always conducting herself in a sportsmanlike manner. A strong supporter and admirer said, “She always had a distinct appreciation and respect for her partners, opponents, officials, and tournament organizers, as well as the rules of the game. Her ability to successfully build a bridge between sportsmanship and competitiveness in sports, and in everyday life has been an inspiration to me and, undoubtedly, to others.” And, a long-time partner and co-national champion said, “I could never have won a national championship without her consistently reliable skills, which were resistant to outside competitive pressures. The tighter the situation, the better she played. Her calm demeanor was always the same, whether we led by 5-0 or were in a tight 5-all battle. An elegant player, a consummate and sportsmanlike competitor, she was, and is, a true credit to the game of platform tennis.”

Aside from this outstanding playing record, she and her close friend, Nancy Dickson, taught clinics to legions of youngsters, and some adults as well, in the Monmouth County area of New Jersey. Some of her young students went on to become state and national junior champions. In addition to these many on-court activities, she served with distinction as a director on the board of the American Platform Tennis Association during the 1970′s.

Source: Robert A. Brown, Induction remarks