New Stan Smith Exhibit Debuts at The Shops at Sea Pines Center on Hilton Head Island, SC
WHAT: New Exhibit: Stan Smith – Tennis Legend and Hilton Head Local
WHERE: The Shops at Sea Pines Center in The Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, SC. The new exhibit is also adjacent to the Smith Stearns Performance Center where student athletes workout to improve their fitness, strength and flexibility.
DETAILS: Smith Stearns Tennis Academy pays tribute to Stan Smith’s illustrious tennis career and leadership, including the 50th anniversary of his first major singles championship at the U.S. Open in 1971, as well as the 50th Anniversary of Stan Smith as The Sea Pines Resort’s official touring pro. This new exhibit was created by staff members of the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy in collaboration with The Shops at Sea Pines Center on Hilton Head Island, SC.
At the new exhibit, learn about highlights of Smith’s impressive professional career, which made him a tennis legend, both on and off court, and for Hilton Head Island. Facts on the new display include:
- University of Southern California NCAA Division 1 Tennis Champion – Singles (1968) Doubles (1967, ‘68)
- U.S. Championship Davis Cup Team Member -1968-1972, 1978-1979
- U.S. Open Men’s Singles Champion – 1971, def. Jan Kodes
- Named Touring Pro for The Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, SC – 1971
- Wimbledon Men’s Singles Champion – 1972, def. Ilie Nastase
- Ranked No. 1 Tennis Player in the World – 1972
- Adidas partners with Stan Smith on a new white leather tennis shoe – 1973
- Married wife Margie, Princeton University grad – 1974
- Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame – 1987
- Smith Stearns Tennis Academy Opens at The Sea Pines Resort – 2002
- Stan Smith named President of the International Tennis Hall of Fame – 2011
- More than 100 million pairs of Adidas Stan Smith tennis shoes sold – 2019
About Stan Smith
Stan Smith, originally from Pasadena, CA, and resident of Hilton Head Island, SC since 1971, is a former U.S. number one player in the world. Smith won the U.S. Open Championship in 1971 and Wimbledon Championship in 1972. He represented the U.S. in the Davis Cup for 10 years, winning the coveted championship seven times. In sum, Smith has won 39 singles titles and 61 doubles titles. Smith was the Director of Coaching for the USTA Player Development Program, working with top-ranked professional players Lindsay Davenport, Jennifer Capriati, and Todd Martin, among others. He coached the 2000 U.S. Olympic Men’s Tennis team in Sydney, Australia.
As a player, Smith was a serve and volley master, plus was known for his tremendous on-court composure. As a coach and tennis leader, Smith is known for his ability to clearly communicate about tennis technique, strategy, and the mental approach to the game – as well as for his legacy of sportsmanship and courtesy. In fashion, Smith is known for the iconic Adidas white leather tennis sneakers named after him.
On Hilton Head Island, Smith has been very active with the local Boys & Girls Club, serving on the Executive Committee Board. In addition, Smith is a Trustee with the Heritage Classic Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting educational and charitable initiatives through the RBC Heritage PGA TOUR golf tournament.
Stan Smith and the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy
Led by Founder and Owner Stan Smith, former Wimbledon and U.S. Open Champion and number-one player in the world, and Co-Owner and Academy Director, B.J. Stearns, former top nationally and internationally ranked player, the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy is designed for individual junior tennis player development. Established in 2002, the Academy prepares junior tennis athletes for high level competition in both collegiate and professional tennis.
The Smith Stearns Tennis Academy is located within one of the top-rated resorts in the country, The Sea Pines Resort on Hilton Head Island, SC. The Smith Stearns Performance Center is located at The Shops at Sea Pines Center, adjacent to the new Stan Smith exhibit.
For a video about the Smith Stearns Tennis Academy, please watch: Academy Video.
For more information about Stan Smith’s tennis career and his impact on tennis worldwide, please visit the International Tennis Hall of Fame website: International Tennis Hall of Fame.
« Back to Academy News