John P. Ware elected APTA President (1961-1963)

John P. Ware (1921-1999)
John P. Ware (1921-1999)
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Ware, Blanchard’s son-in-law, spent roughly 40 years of his adult life nurturing and promoting the game of platform tennis. He served as Secretary of the APTA from 1959 to 1961, during which time he did extensive research on format, size, and timing of tournaments and the composition of paddles.

Ware was instrumental in bringing young people into the game when he inaugurated the first APTA Junior Boys National Championships in 1963 and was the driving force behind changing the ball color from white to orange and persuading manufacturers to adopt the new color.

He designed the crossed paddles and ball insignia for the Association. The logo was modernized in the late 1970′s, but Ware’s original design remains on the crests presented to Hall of Fame recipients and past Presidents.

Ware was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1995