MSU Men’s Tennis Alum and Ambassador For The Sport Rick Ferman Passes Away
12/19/2024 12:50:00 PM | Men's Tennis
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State men's tennis alum and ambassador for the sport of tennis, Rick Ferman, passed away last weekend at the age of 74.
Ferman played for MSU men's tennis from 1968-71, lettering in 1970 and '71. He was the Big Ten runner-up at No. 6 singles as a sophomore in 1970, posting a 10-0 regular-season record, winning 20 sets and only dropping two during the regular season.
A native of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Ferman earned his bachelor's degree in 1972 in social science and his master's from MSU in 1973 in secondary education and teaching, administration of intramural sports and recreation services.
He was the 2002 recipient of the MSU Varsity S Jack Breslin Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring the Spartan varsity alumnus whose post college career has brought great honor to himself, and by reflection to Michigan State and its intercollegiate athletic programs.
Ferman then taught and coached, and eventually became an administrator and manager. He also was co-owner of athletic clubs Court One North in Lansing and Court One East in Okemos. In 1991, Ferman was named America's number one tennis club professional and Court One was named as the nation's "Member Organization of the Year" by the USTA.
He coached pro Todd Martin, beginning when Martin was a junior player and Martin went on to become a Top 5 player, two-time Grand Slam finalist and a dedicated representative for the U.S. in Davis Cup play. Ferman later developed the Todd Martin Development Fund that supports the Lansing chapter of the National Junior Tennis League.
Ferman developed numerous grassroots programs in Michigan, and on a national level, volunteered, worked and served at all levels of the USTA, including as USTA Midwest president. Additionally, Ferman served on more than 15 USTA National committees including as chairman of the Player Development Committee, Section Presidents Committee, and USTA Delegates Assembly. He was chairman of the USTA/Midwest Section Junior Tennis Council, Section Endorser, and member of the Education and Recreation Tennis Committee. He was vice president of the USTA Board of Directors from 1995-1996.
He then served as USTA Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer from 1996-2003, overseeing an exciting period of growth and development for the sport of tennis and association. His vision and vitality were key ingredients in helping to raise the profile of tennis from its grass roots to its greatest stage: the US Open. During Ferman's time in the position, Arthur Ashe Stadium was completed, business units focused on Community and Professional tennis were created, and the first USTA Strategic Plan was developed. He was inducted into the USTA/Midwest Section Hall of Fame in 2016 in addition to the United States Professional Tennis Association Midwest Hall of Fame.
"Throughout his life and career, Rick was one of tennis' most fervent ambassadors, serving our sport at virtually every level: as a volunteer, teacher, coach, executive, and singularly passionate advocate," current USTA CEO, Chairman of the Board and President Dr. Brian Hainline wrote in a tribute to Ferman.
As the USTA's chief executive, Ferman helped run the US Open, select the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Pan American Games and Olympics teams, and promoted the growth of tennis from the grassroots to the professional levels with a major boom in the popularity of the sport across the United States and around the world.
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