Michigan State men's tennis has lost a remarkable figure with the passing of alum Rick Ferman. At the age of 74, Ferman left an indelible mark on the sport. He played for the MSU men's tennis team from 1968 to 1971, earning letters in 1970 and 1971. As a sophomore in 1970, he achieved the prestigious status of Big Ten runner-up at No. 6 singles, boasting a remarkable 10-0 regular-season record, winning 20 sets, and only dropping two during the regular season.

Honors and Achievements

A native of Grosse Pointe, Michigan, Ferman graduated with a bachelor's degree in social science in 1972 and a master's from MSU in 1973 in secondary education and teaching, along with administration of intramural sports and recreation services. In 2002, he received the MSU Varsity S Jack Breslin Lifetime Achievement Award, a testament to his post-college career that brought great honor to himself and Michigan State.He dedicated his life to teaching and coaching and eventually rose to the position of an administrator and manager. He co-owned athletic clubs Court One North in Lansing and Court One East in Okemos. In 1991, he was named America's number one tennis club professional, and Court One was honored as the nation's "Member Organization of the Year" by the USTA.

Coaching Legacy

Ferman's coaching career was equally remarkable. He coached pro Todd Martin from when Martin was a junior player. Martin went on to become a Top 5 player, a 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, which supports the Lansing chapter of the National Junior Tennis League.

Grassroots and USTA Involvement

Ferman developed numerous grassroots programs in Michigan and served at all levels of the USTA on more than 15 national committees. He served 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 a member of the Education and Recreation Tennis Committee. He also served as vice president of the USTA Board of Directors from 1995 to 1996.After that, he served as USTA Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer from 1996 to 2003. During this time, he oversaw a period of significant growth and development for the sport of tennis. 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 and the United States Professional Tennis Association Midwest Hall of Fame.

Lasting Impact

"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 played a crucial role in running the US Open, selecting Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Pan American Games, and Olympics teams, and promoting the growth of tennis from the grassroots to the professional levels, witnessing a major boom in the sport's popularity across the United States and around the world.