Celebrating Ann Nealon

Ann Nealon joined RIT’s physical education athletic staff in 1969, teaching tennis and badminton. In 1971, she started the Women’s Tennis team at RIT paving the way for Women in Sport at a time when opportunities for girls and women to compete at the collegiate level did not exist. It is only fitting that we are celebrating Ann’s Legacy in conjunction with the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, the federal civil rights law that prohibited discrimination giving women the equal opportunity to play. During Ann’s time at RIT, not only did she champion the installation of Women’s Athletics at RIT, but witnessed the start and advocated for ALL 12 current Women’s sports that compete today. In addition to opening doors for women at RIT, she was the first women’s tennis pro at both Mid-Town Tennis Club (1973-1981) and head pro at Oak Hill Country Club (1978-2009). She was and always will be a Pioneer.

During her 35 year coaching career at RIT, the women’s program enjoyed outstanding success, compiling a won-lost record of 228-114-3 before her retirement in 2005. She also coached the men’s team for nine seasons, compiling an 86-31 record and leading the team to the Empire 8 Championship in her final season in 2005. During one stretch between 1980 and 1983, RIT won an astonishing 30 consecutive dual matches, with undefeated seasons in 1982 and 1983. Ann led her team to a New York State Women’s Collegiate Athletic Association (NYSWCAA) championship in 1983 and two Empire Athletic Association titles in 1984 and 1986. Eight of her players had decorated careers and have been inducted into the RIT Sports Hall of Fame. After “retiring”, Ann remained on RIT’s staff, teaching part time classes until her full retirement in 2013. Ann herself was the 1985 recipient of the Rochester Press-Radio Club Jean Giambrone Award, and was inducted into both the RIT Sports Hall of Fame for Distinguished Service in 1994 and the inaugural class of the Rochester Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014.

While Ann’s accolades are many, she is most known for her unique ability to propel each player to achieve their maximum potential both on and off the tennis court while demonstrating a deep compassion and empathy for each one of them. She was affectionally regarded as a second “mom” by many of her players. The life lessons she taught them – to give their best effort in all of their endeavors and to aggressively pursue their goals – have guided each of them in their lives after college. These days she derives the greatest joy in following the lives of her eight grandchildren, along with the same compassion and empathy she showered on her RIT student-athletes.

On the personal side, Ann was one of ten children who was later married to husband Bill for 55 years until his passing in 2015. He was her rock. In a time when society presented significant barriers to working women, he selflessly supported her desire to work, helping to open minds and create better opportunities for women. Along with Bill, she raised three boys and gained three wonderful daughters through their marriages – Billy/Sylvie, John/Hema and Jim/Nora. These days she derives the greatest joy in following the lives of her eight grandchildren, along with the same compassion and empathy she showered on her RIT student-athletes.