Kalamazoo College will induct 11 outstanding tennis players and five teams into its athletic hall of fame on Thursday, October 22. The event at the Radisson Hotel and Suites in downtown Kalamazoo will mark the 50th anniversary of K’s first of seven men’s NCAA Division III national championships. It will be a special gathering for this year’s Homecoming and separate from the main Athletic Hall of Fame induction.
“The tradition of tennis at Kalamazoo College has been built by generations of players, coaches and teammates who have shared a special connection to the program,” Director of Athletics Jamie Zorbo ’00 said. “This year’s Hall of Fame inductees represent an important part of that history, and the Tennis Legacy Dinner gives us an opportunity to come together, celebrate their accomplishments and recognize the legacy that so many of our alumni have helped create.”
Ray Gibson ’33 (posthumous) won three MIAA singles championships and two conference doubles titles. He captained Kalamazoo College’s teams in 1932 and 1933 and helped lead the Hornets to three consecutive MIAA championships from 1931–33.
Bill Washburn ’73, won MIAA singles championships in 1972 and 1973 and earned a conference doubles title in 1972. A three-time All-MIAA selection and two-time conference MVP, he captained the 1973 team.
Alex Dalrymple ’76 (posthumous) earned All-American honors in both singles and doubles in 1976. He captained K’s first national championship team and was a four-time All-MIAA selection, earning conference MVP honors twice. He also won two MIAA singles titles and three conference doubles championships.
Dave Borski ’89 was a three-time All-American and earned national recognition once in singles and twice in doubles. He was a two-time All-MIAA selection, a conference MVP, and the 1989 MIAA doubles champion. He captained the Hornets in 1989 and received the MIAA Stowe Memorial Award.
Jeff Fieldhack ’91 was a three-time All-American and earned All-MIAA honors all four of his years at K. He won three MIAA doubles championships and received the MIAA Stowe Memorial Award. His 27 doubles victories in a season rank fifth in program history, while his 30 singles wins in a season rank sixth.
John Ray-Keil ’92 earned All-American honors in singles twice and in doubles once. A two-time team captain, he was a two-time All-MIAA selection and the 1992 conference doubles champion. He received the MIAA Stowe Memorial Award and the Arthur Ashe Regional and National Sportsmanship Award. He remains among K’s career leaders in both singles and doubles winning percentage.
Christa Chrovian ’97 helped lead the Hornets to three MIAA championships and served as team captain for three seasons. She earned first-team All-MIAA honors three times and ranks among the program’s career leaders in singles and doubles victories. She finished her career with 58 singles wins and 66 doubles wins.
Chris Kennelly ’97 was a three-time doubles All-American and a three-time All-MIAA second-team selection. He won conference doubles championships in 1996 and 1997 and captained the Hornets during both seasons.
Michael Malvitz ’05 earned three All-America honors, including one in singles and two in doubles. After earning second-team All-MIAA recognition as a first-year student, he received first-team honors each of the rest of his years at K. A two-time conference MVP, three-time singles champion, and two-time doubles champion, he also helped advance to the NCAA Division III doubles semifinals in 2004 and the national championship match in 2005. He ranks among the program’s leaders in both season and career doubles victories.
Julian Seelan ’06 claimed four All-America honors, three in doubles and one in singles. He won the 2006 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) Central Region doubles championship and was named the region’s Senior Player of the Year. A three-time All-MIAA selection, conference MVP, and three-time doubles champion, he also received the MIAA Stowe Memorial Award. He helped reach the NCAA Division III doubles semifinals in 2004 and the national championship match in 2005 and served as team captain as a senior.
Sabrina Dass ’17 collectedAll-MIAA honors three times, including first-team recognition as a junior and senior. She ranks among the top players in program history in singles and doubles and competed in the NCAA Division III doubles championship tournament in 2015. She also earned MIAA Academic Honor Roll and ITA Scholar-Athlete recognition twice while compiling career records of 56-29 in singles and 65-26 in doubles.
1977 Men’s Tennis Team
The 1977 Hornets won the MIAA title with a 6-0 conference record and finished fourth at the NCAA Division III Championships. Team captains Chris Bussert and Harlan Smith earned All-America honors in singles, while Bussert, Smith, Hubbard Capes and Jim Hosner received All-MIAA recognition. Bussert was named conference MVP.
1984 Men’s Tennis Team
The 1984 team finished undefeated in conference play at 6-0, won the MIAA title and placed fourth nationally. Timon Corwin and Alex Palladino earned All-America honors in singles and doubles. Team captains were Corwin, Adam Bottorff and Joe Hosner. Corwin, Bottorff and Palladino earned All-MIAA honors with Corwin named conference MVP.
1988 Men’s Tennis Team
The 1988 Hornets went undefeated in MIAA play and finished fifth at the NCAA Division III Championships. Four players earned All-MIAA honors: Dave Borski, Jeff Fieldhack, Jack Hosner and Tim Hufler. Borski and Hosner received All-America recognition and Hosner was named conference MVP.
1989 Men’s Tennis Team
The 1989 team posted an 18-8 overall record, went undefeated in MIAA play and finished third at the NCAA Division III Championships. Five players earned All-MIAA honors: Dave Borski, Jeff Fieldhack, Tim Hufler, Doug Keen and Greg Wood. Borski was named conference MVP, while All-America honors went to Keen, Borski and Fieldhack. Team captains were Borski, Fieldhack and Tom Kelly.
1995 Women’s Tennis Team
The 1995 women’s team matched the program record with 17 victories while posting a perfect 6-0 conference record and winning the MIAA championship. Christa Chrovian, Eve Halderson and Stephanie Decker earned All-MIAA honors.