Gambino, Chris

Chris Gambino might have been the best junior tennis player to come out of New Jersey. He was #1 in the USTA Eastern U.S. Boys 12′s, 14,’s, 16′s, and 18′s. By his senior year, Chris was recognized by Arizona State after winning the New Jersey State Singles title.

At ASU, Chris had wins over Todd Martin, John Stark, Alex Obrien, and Brian McPhie and took Pete Sampras to three sets both times they met. Chris was on his way to the pros until a car accident ended his tennis career with a broken shoulder and wrist. Chris was a senior at the time.

Five years later, in 1996, John “The Stork” Milbank introduced Chris to platform tennis at the Navesink Country Club in New Jersey and he made dramatically improvements each season thereafter, culminating with the Mixed Nationals in 2000 over John Milbank and Bobo Mangan Delany and the first of three Men’s Open National Championship in 2001 with partner David Ohlmuller.

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Delaney, Bobo Mangan

Bobo Mangan Delaney started playing paddle at the Short Hills Club in New Jersey under the tutelage of Hank Irvine (HOF 1995 ) who recognized her potential to be a top-ranked player given her focus and determination as well as genetic heritage – Mother Nancy Mangan (HOF 1992 ) and uncle John Mangan (HOF 2007)

During her long and successful career on the paddle courts she became widely known as a master strategist who comes to each match with a game plan, sticks to it, and battles for every point. As one of her long-time competitors said succinctly, “She gives you nothing” and this is why many people call Bobo one of the greatest grinders of all time – a supreme compliment in paddle. Other parts of her game that were outstanding were her volleying aided by quick reflexes and her “blitzes,” charging into net to put away a winner.

Bobo captured her first APTA National title –the 1976 Junior Nationals – at the age of 16 with Lynn Kafer and repeated the achievement two years later with Sarah Krieger who became a long-time partner and the pair went on to win the Women’s Nationals eleven years later in 1989.

When it came to Mixed Nationals Bobo was right up there with two greats, Hilary Hilton Marold (HOF 1998) and Charlotte Lee (HOF 1996), amassing five titles – four with John “The Stork” Milbank (2002, 2003, 2005, 2007) and one with Steve “The Dagger” DeRose (2011). The last title came an astonishing 22 years after that first Women’s Nationals title in 1989 a tribute to her physical fitness (she was a frequent triathlon participant), perseverance and willpower.

Not surprisingly she proceeded to accumulate a stellar Senior Nationals record winning six Women’s 40+ Nationals (and three as a Finalist), five Women’s 50+ Nationals (and three as a Finalist), and one Mixed 50+ Nationals (and three as a Finalist).

Bobo loves the infectious camaraderie of the game and is respected and admired by all who have player with her or against her for her sportsmanship. She has been a professional in the game for over three decades and is known as an enthusiastic and devoted teacher of the game – witness the fact that her daughter, Corey, has won six Junior Nationals including four straight Girl’s 18 and Under (2009-2012), but maybe those genes also helped.

Induction Ceremony remarks by Steve Baird: 2016 Bobo Delaney HOF Induction