By Tom Degun

Randy Snow_profileFebruary 27 - United States wheelchair tennis legend and double Paralympic champion Randy Snow, who passed away three years ago, will be induction to the prestigious International Tennis Hall of Fame as a member of the Class of 2012.


Snow is only the second wheelchair tennis player in history to be honoured with induction to the International Tennis Hall of Fame after Brad Parks, the founder of the sport, who was inducted in 2010.

Snow, also a wheelchair basketball player, was influential leader in the development of wheelchair tennis and a tireless advocate for improving the quality of life for people with disabilities.

His Hall of Fame induction will be a posthumous recognition of his achievements and contributions to the sport after he died in November 2009 in El Salvador while volunteering at a wheelchair tennis camp.

"Randy Snow was simply the best wheelchair player to have ever played the sport," said Parks.

"Beyond his athletic success though, he played a major role in building the sport and he inspired so many others to play wheelchair tennis and other sports.

"He was among a dedicated group of people who worked very hard to grow wheelchair tennis and the inclusion of wheelchair athletes in the International Tennis Hall of Fame has been a great affirmation for the sport's progress and importance."

"It was a privilege for me to play alongside Randy and to call him a friend, and I am thrilled to see him receive the honour of Hall of Fame induction, which is very well deserved."

The Induction Ceremony will be hosted on July 14 this year at the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum in Newport in Rhode Island.

Randy Snow_hitting_tennis_balls
"Randy Snow (pictured) was an inspirational wheelchair tennis player and leader in the sport," said 1970 Hall of Famer and chair of the Enshrinee Nominating Committee Tony Trabert.

"He made remarkable contributions that have shaped the history of tennis and paved the way for the future.

"We look forward to celebrating Randy's achievements and contributions at the induction ceremony in July, along with those of the additional inductees who will be announced shortly."

Originally from Texas a farming accident left Snow a paraplegic at the age of 16 but he refused to let the physical challenges fade his competitive spirit and athletic talent.

He took up wheelchair tennis and, before long, he was ranked world number one in both singles and doubles by 1991.

That same year, he was named ITF Wheelchair Tennis Player of the Year.

He went on to win two gold medals at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympics in both singles and doubles while he was a member of the bronze medal-winning wheelchair basketball team at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympics.

Snow also became the first US Paralympian to be inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame in 2004.

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