News

NEWPORT, R.I. — The International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum Board of Directors has named Mark Stenning and Ed Woolard as Life Trustees. Stenning stepped down as CEO of the Hall of Fame earlier this month after 35 years with the organization. Woolard has been a longtime supporter of the Hall of Fame in numerous capacities, most recently serving as Vice Chair of the organization’s Capital Campaign. The designation was announced at the Hall of Fame’s Enshrinement Ceremony in July.

“The highest honor and recognition that can be awarded to someone who serves the International Tennis Hall of Fame is the designation of Life Trustee. There are only 21 individuals who have ever been awarded this honor in our 60 year history,” said International Tennis Hall of Fame Chairman Christopher Clouser. “Mark and Ed have been instrumental in the growth of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, supporting the mission wholeheartedly as active leaders. We are grateful for their work and are pleased to be able to acknowledge their efforts by naming them Life Trustees.”

At the ceremony, Clouser then introduced the crowd to Ed Woolard, a longtime supporter of the Hall of Fame and the former Chairman and CEO of DuPont, a global chemical company. Woolard is now serving as Vice Chair of the Hall of Fame’s Match Point Capital Campaign, which is currently underway and will provide funding for major renovations and expansions to the property. Woolard has been hard at work on fundraising for the $15.7 million campaign in recent years. Through his work, the Hall of Fame has now broken ground on new tennis facilities expected to open early next year and is moving forward with an extensive museum renovation.

Woolard and his wife Peggy have been ardent supporters of tennis on numerous levels, including being longtime supporters of the Hall of Fame for many years. They have worked diligently to grow the museum at the Hall of Fame, supporting such projects as the Woolard Family Enshrinement Gallery, in which the lives and careers of 240 Hall of Famers are honored, and the Peggy Woolard Library, which showcases the rich architecture of the historic building that houses the Hall of Fame. Additionally, the Woolards established an education fund for professional development for the museum staff, which has been highly beneficial. Peggy Woolard was named a Life Trustee of the organization last year, making the Woolards the first married couple to be honored with this recognition.

When announcing the Life Trustee designations during the Enshrinement Ceremony, Clouser remarked, “Each of you may have seen that the Hall of Fame is about to go under massive redevelopment. It’s a new tennis building, a new museum, and an improved center court. It all would not have happened, were it not for Ed’s dedication.”

Nicolas Mahut presented the Life Trustee recognition to Mark Stenning.

In presenting the Life Trustee honor to Mark Stenning, Clouser recognized the many various aspects of the Hall of Fame that Stenning has played a major role in over the past 35 years, including the Hall of Fame’s annual ATP World Tour event, the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. He then invited Nicolas Mahut onto the court to present Stenning with the Life Trustee honor. Mahut has been a frequent player at the tournament during Stenning’s tenure, and in 2013, he won the singles and doubles titles.

Stenning joined the Hall of Fame staff in 1980, and he has held numerous roles within the organization. During his 35-year tenure, he has fostered tremendous growth for the organization, including development of a world-class museum that is the only sports hall of fame in the nation accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, as well as meticulous preservation of the National Historic Landmark property that houses the Hall of Fame. He has served as Tournament Director for numerous ATP and WTA events, highlighted by the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. Among his many contributions, Stenning has developed a strong financial foundation for the non-profit organization. Although he has stepped down from his role as CEO, Stenning will remain highly engaged with the organization, serving as a board member and overseeing the $15.7 million expansion and renovation project.

“He has done incredible work. When you look around here, you see what’s happened and is going to happen in this expansion and improvement project, it’s because of this gentleman,” said Clouser in reference to Stenning.