BEA MASSMAN TENNIS MEMORIAL CAMPAIGN
The Amherst Tigers Booster Club is proud to host the Bea Massman Tennis Memorial Campaign for 2023. Funds raised will go toward the purchase and installation of a memorial at the Amherst Central High School tennis courts.
Please enter the your donation amount in the box below, or send a check payable to:
Amherst Tigers Boosters Club
Attn: Bea Massman Memorial
4301 Main Street
Amherst, NY 14226
Fundraising Goal: $3,000
IN MEMORY OF BEA MASSMAN
First Women to Coach Boys High School Varsity Tennis Team - 24 Years
Coached Amherst High School to 16 Consecutive Undefeated ECIC Seasons
Named New York State High School Coach of the Year - 1973
Won 26 Buffalo City Open MUNY Tennis Titles
Buffalo Tennis Hall of Fame - 2008
Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame - 1991
Amherst High School Athletic Hall of Fame (inaugural class) - 1990
USA Badminton Hall of Fame - 1969
Donors:
Elizabeth Boltz
Paul Biddle
Laurie Krajna
About Bea Massman:
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In 1969, Miss Massman was elected to the Helms Athletic Foundation Badminton Hall of Fame and in 1991 she was inaugurated into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame.
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She was known for teaching badminton and tennis, which she had done around the world for nearly 40 years.
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"I loved teaching," she once said. "If I saw a student doing something wrong, I always wanted to help."
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During World War II, she served in Newfoundland as a Red Cross recreation leader. After the war, she returned to Buffalo to teach at St. Mary's School for the Deaf.
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At Amherst Central High School, she coached the boys' tennis team -- the first woman ever to do so in Western New York. In 1973, she was named state tennis coach of the year.
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As great an athlete as Massman was, she was equally renowned as a teacher and coach. Her kindly manner, perpetual smile, and willingness to help anyone, regardless of skill level, were among her trademarks.
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"Bea Massman walked with class, taught with class, played with class, and personified class. She is truly Buffalo and Amherst's first lady of tennis," she said.
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On the court, whether it was tennis or badminton, Massman always stressed sportsmanship and proper conduct. She led by example.
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Spiller recalls that Massman not only taught her students, she was actually involved in playing tennis or badminton with them. She said, "Everyone loved Bea. She was such an honest, modest person. When she taught us tennis she played right along with us. She played at our level; although she was far better than we were, she never showed off or tried to impress us by hitting the ball hard."
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Marshall, regarded as the greatest women's badminton player ever, said, "Sure, Bea and I were fortunate to have won many tournaments together. However, as great as Bea was as an athlete she still preferred the thrill of coaching and teaching, seeing her students improve, and enjoying themselves. This meant more to her than all of her accomplishments on the court.
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Massman is also remembered for being instrumental in establishing the tennis program in the Town of Amherst.
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Being an Amherst resident, one remembers that Bea and Ethel played doubles with a group every Saturday and Sunday on the Amherst High School tennis courts during the summer. They always played on courts one and two and started at 7 a.m. If anyone else arrived earlier and was using either court, they would gladly move to another court so Bea and Ethel could play on those two courts, which were in far better shape than the rest. However, that is the kind of adulation and respect that everyone had for Massman.
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"Bea was a generous, helpful and caring individual. She was patient, cared about sports, and wanted people to enjoy them. She was a real asset to the community," Grossman said.
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Bea and Ethel. Ethel and Bea. You couldn't mention one without the other. Their list of accomplishments would fill a large book. Together they won 26 Buffalo City Open and Muny Open tennis doubles championships.
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In badminton, they won the United States Women's doubles in 1953 and 1957, and also won eight National Senior doubles titles. Massman also added three United States Masters Mixed Doubles championships.
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Massman was inducted into the Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame in 1991.
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Ms. Bea Massman, died Saturday (Oct. 3, 1992) in the Schofield Residence, Town of Tonawanda.
Source:
https://www.buffalosportshallfame.com/member/bea-massman/