University of North Carolina Athletics
2009 NC Tennis Hall Of Fame Inductees Includes Tar Heel Star Corn
August 19, 2008 | Men's Tennis
Aug. 19, 2008
GREENSBORO, N.C. - The North Carolina Tennis Foundation is pleased to announce the selection of two new Hall of Fame members for the class of 2009. Susie Wall, of Burlington, and former Tar Heel men's tennis standout Jim Corn, of Shelby, will be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame January 31, 2009 with a commemoration event held at the Carolina Hotel in Pinehurst, NC. The North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame is housed in Greensboro, NC, which serves as a central location for the whole state to enjoy.
William James "Jim" Corn continues to build a strong collegiate level coaching career that is backed by an even stronger history of tournament and collegiate play. He has 14 state titles and one Southern sectional title under his belt, which aided him to secure top rankings as a junior and adult. His highest rankings included: 8th in U.S in the Boy's 14 Singles; #3 in the South for the Boy's 18s age division; #1 in the South for Men's Doubles; and #1 in North Carolina in the Boy's 14s, 16s, 18s, Men's 35s and Men's 40s. These high marks enabled Jim to become the first player to receive a full scholarship to attend UNC Chapel Hill.
Jim went on to become one the Tar Heels most accomplished tennis players when he played for UNC from 1969-1972. His most notable achievements included: earning All-ACC honors four times, setting a school record for wins during his career, winning two ACC doubles championship titles and standing as the only player in ACC history to win four individual singles championships at his position. While at UNC he captained the tennis team his junior year and co-captained his senior year. During his last three years at UNC, the Tar Heels finished 20th, 10th and fifth in the nation, respectively. To recognize his successful collegiate career, a court has been named for him at the Cone/Kenfield Tennis Center at UNC Chapel Hill.
Since his playing days in college, Jim compiled an impressive list of students, including Tim Wilkison (ATP pro), Bryan Jones (UNC All-American, ACC 50th Anniversary Team) and Peter Ayers (Duke All-American, ACC 50th Anniversary Team). He also coached the Raleigh Edge team to the Finals of the World Team Tennis Championships in 1990. He currently coaches the Women's Tennis program at Gardner-Webb University and resides in Lattimore with his wife, Penny. They have two grown sons, Will and Hunter.
Susie Black Wall began her tennis career on the Carlson Farm Country Club tennis courts with her mother at the age of 6. Her persistence on-court was influenced at a young age by Hall of Fame members Julia Ann Holt and Jane Preyer. As a teenager, she began playing numerous tournaments and maintained a top four ranking from 1972 to 1975. After focusing solely on tournament play, she joined Page High School tennis team her junior and senior years as the #1 position. She went undefeated and picked up two NCHSAA State Singles Championship title. Just before entering college at UNC Chapel Hill, she reached the #1 ranking in the North Carolina Girl's 18s Singles division.
Susie joined the UNC tennis team in 1975 and played the #3 spot under the guidance of Frances Hogan. As a sophomore and junior, she became the top position on the team under the new coach Kitty Harrison. In her senior year, she was ranked in the top 5 in the South intercollegiately and won the ACC Singles flight at the #3 position. During her summers in college, she worked for Jimmy Donaldson and Donna Sauls at the Greensboro public courts to help run tournaments, umpire matches and help teach clinics.
After college, Susie continued to play tournaments and even won the Burlington City Tennis Tournament while pregnant with her first child in 1986. Once she picked the racquet back up in 1993, she was unstoppable as she won every tournament entered. She reached the #1 ranking in the Women's 35s division and held that spot for four years, remaining undefeated the entire span of time. Susie now holds 19 North Carolina state titles, in singles, doubles and mixed doubles. She currently resides in Burlington with her husband, Ronnie, and two daughters, Ann Love and Maggie Love.
The North Carolina Tennis Foundation supports organizations and programs that enhance the lives of people through tennis and education, and preserves the history of tennis in North Carolina. For more information please visit us www.nctennisfoundation.com. If you are interested in donating to the North Carolina Tennis Foundation, please call (336) 852-8577.
