Tulane Announces Formation of Ham Richardson Endowment
Apr 14, 2004 | Men's Tennis
April 14, 2004
Ham Richardson Endowment Brochure
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A tennis alumni weekend that brought nearly 50 former Tulane tennis players to New Orleans on March 26-28 may have an even longer-lasting impact on the Green Wave tennis programs thanks to the participation of former Tulane great Ham Richardson.
At a luncheon attended by approximately 100 tennis alumni plus friends and family of Richardson, Tulane Athletic Director Rick Dickson announced the formation of the Ham Richardson Endowment, a $5 million effort to fund the scholarships for the Tulane men's and women's tennis programs in perpetuity. A part of the $30 million goal to grow the Ben Weiner Endowment through the Perpetual Wave Campaign, the Ham Richardson program kicked off the endowment portion of the campaign.
"We're thrilled to be able to institute this endowment in the name of someone who embodies every characteristic that we hold valuable for student-athletes at Tulane University," Dickson said. "Ham Richardson was a two-time NCAA champion who represented his country in the Davis Cup seven times, he was a Rhodes Scholar, a successful businessman and someone who has led an exemplary life.
"Being able to kick off the endowment portion of the campaign with Ham's name attached is the kind of springboard needed to ensure the overall success of this effort," he continued.
During his days as a member of the Tulane tennis team from 1952-55, Ham Richardson won a pair of NCAA singles titles and four SEC singles and doubles titles while maintaining a 3.92 grade point average. In 1954 while at Tulane, Richardson was honored as one of America's Ten Most Outstanding Young Men and he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship in 1955 to study at Oxford University.
A member of seven United States Davis Cup teams, Richardson twice served as the Davis Cup Captain and compiled a record of 20-2 while representing the U.S. His victories included a win in the decisive doubles match in the U.S. victory over Australia in the Davis Cup finals in 1958. The top-ranked American tennis player in 1956 and 1958, he also won the U.S. Doubles Championship in 1958.
After working for several years as a Legislative Assistant for U.S. Senator Russell Long of Louisiana, he went on to a successful career in the brokerage and investment banking business. His many honors include induction into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Collegiate Hall of Fame, the Southern Tennis Hall of Fame, the Louisiana Athletic Hall of Fame and the Tulane Athletics Hall of Fame.
Richardson and his wife, Midge, along with nearly 40 friends and relatives, attended the first Tennis Alumni Weekend which began Friday, March 26th with a reception in the Hall of Fame Room of the James Wilson Center. They were joined by nearly 50 fellow tennis alumni, many from the "golden era" of Tulane tennis in the 1940s and '50s.
 Tennis Alumni from around the country gathered in New Orleans for a fun weekend of fellowship and reminiscence. | |
Saturday's activities kicked off with a tennis mixer at the Goldring Complex in the morning as some of the players returned to the courts for some friendly competition. The luncheon announcing the Ham Richardson Endowment was held at the Diboll Complex down the street from the Wilson Center and included a video presentation that included a montage of photos of Richardson from his playing days, as well as speeches by Richardson, Dickson and Perpetual Wave Endowment Chair Bobby Duhon.
Following the luncheon, the group returned to the courts where they watched the current Green Wave players defeat No. 23 Pepperdine at the Goldring Tennix Complex. Between the doubles and singles matches, all the alumni were introduced on the court and presented with a commemorative gift.
All-in-all it was a weekend to remember for all alumni present, and especially for Richardson and his family. The weekend also provided a successful start to the Ham Richardson Endowment as it resulted in commitments of $1 million to the fund.
"It was a great weekend for Ham and his family and for all of the alumni who attended," Dickson said. "The initial response to the Ham Richardson Endowment has been excellent and it's just the beginning."
Contributions to the Ham Richardson Endowment Fund are currently being accepted. For more information on the endowment or to donate, contact Travis Goff with the Tulane Athletics Fund at 504-314-7230.
-- Roll Wave! --
