The USTA/Midwest Section family lost a valued supporter and friend this week when Stanley Malless passed away at age 97.
Stan served as president of the Central Indiana Tennis Association, the USTA/Midwest Section (formerly Western Tennis Association) from 1964-65, and the USTA from 1975-76. He was also a member of the International Tennis Federation, the U.S. Olympic Committee and the USTA Executive Committee. A former member of the Purdue University tennis team, he was a city and state doubles champion.
Stan was instrumental in the introduction of computer rankings, the point penalty system, satellite and senior tournaments, and negotiated the first-ever U.S. Open television contract. He was also influential in building a tennis center and stadium in Indianapolis.
For Stan Malless, tennis was an instrumental part of his entire life. He was an International Tennis Federation Honorary Life Counselor, honorary chair of the USTA Technical Committee, and member of the USTA Past Presidents Committee.
In addition to being a supporter of tennis, Stan Malless was the founder of the Permanent Magnet Company, Inc., of Indianapolis, Ind. He graduated from high school at the age of 14 and went on to graduate (with honors) from the engineering school of Purdue University. Stan is a decorated war hero, a licensed pilot and a former tennis champion. Mr. Malless has been a consultant to the Atomic Energy Commission and served as president of the national Magnetic Producers Association. Stan Malless turned his lifelong fascination with magnets into Permanent Magnet Company Inc, one of America's premier magnet producers.
Services will be held on Sunday, February 12 at the Indiana War Memorial at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment at Crown Hill cemetery with full military honors. Visitation will be on Saturday, February 11 from 4:00-8:00 p.m. at the Crown Hill Memorial Chapel. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Stan Malless Scholarship Fund, through the Indianapolis Junior Tennis Development Fund. Please click here for Stan Malless' obituary in the Indianapolis Star.
STATEMENT FROM JON VEGOSEN, USTA PRESIDENT
"Stan was a great friend to many of us as well as a dynamic volunteer and driving force behind the growth of tennis in this country. A former president of the UST/ Midwest Section, Stan served as USTA President from 1974-76. During his presidency, he was a leading influence in the effort to get tennis reinstated in the Olympic Games. Thanks in large part to Stan's tireless efforts, tennis returned to the Olympics in 1984".
"Stan served on countless USTA Committees, and was the Tournament Director for the U.S. Clay Court Championships and later the RCA Championships in his hometown of Indianapolis. He also served on the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Tennis Hall of Fame's Board of Directors. In 1979, Stan received the prestigious Samuel Hardy Award from the International Tennis Hall of Fame in recognition of his outstanding volunteer service to tennis, and in 2008, he was recognized with a USTA Volunteer Service Award for 45 years of service. Indeed, Stan was so respected for his volunteer efforts that the USTA/Midwest Section named its award for outstanding volunteer service after him."
"Stan personified all that is so wonderful about our sport; his passion and dedication made him truly one-of-a-kind. I know that our sport is better for having had such a long and rewarding association with him. He will be sorely missed by his friends and the sport he so dearly loved."