PRESS RELEASE

Aberdeen native Don “Woody” Boyd, now of Highlands Ranch, Colo., and Pierre native Paul Williams, now of Mankato, Minn., will be inducted into the SD Tennis Hall of Fame Saturday, July 20, as the Class of 2024. The hour-long induction ceremony starts at 11 a.m. and will once again be at the McKennan Park picnic shelter, near the tennis courts, Sioux Falls. McKennan Park has been the induction site since 1991, the initial year of the SD Tennis Hall of Fame. A marker recognizing all inductees is featured near the courts.

The ceremony will be video recorded and displayed later on the website (sdtennishall.com). All tennis enthusiasts are invited to attend. The 2024 South Dakota Adult Open will be played July 19-21 mainly at the new GreatLife Cares Foundation Tennis Complex at Tomar Park, just off south Minnesota Avenue in Sioux Falls.

Boyd starred for the Aberdeen Central tennis team in the early 1970’s and has been a tremendous benefactor to different programs involving the Hall of Fame. He was a key member of the Golden Eagles’ three-straight state championship teams from 1972 to 1974. In addition, Boyd created a grant program that recognizes and promotes the game of tennis throughout South Dakota called the “Don Grebin Love Serving Tennis” Award.

Paul Williams joins his high school coach Phil Trautner (HOF Class of 1992) and fellow Governor tennis player Mike Trautner (HOF Class of 2007) in the Hall of Fame. Williams was a five-time state champion in South Dakota (one singles, two doubles and two team). In addition to his outstanding prep career, Paul really came on strong as a college and adult player. He also has coached at the high school and collegiate levels in Minnesota. He and his family have a long association with the game of tennis.

The GreatLife Cares Foundation Tennis Complex at Tomar Park in Sioux Falls will be receiving the SD Tennis Achievement Award for 2024. Championed by the Sioux Falls Tennis Association, namely Carissa Dice and Lydia Healy, the complex boasts 12 courts where young and old alike can play the game they love. The facility received the USTA Outstanding Facility Award in 2023 and is quickly becoming a tennis hotbed for the city of Sioux Falls.