LEGENDS OF THE FORT

Learn about our 2023 inductees below:

Santosh Krishnan - 2023

Santosh is an avid tennis enthusiast who started playing at FWTEC in 2004. He immersed himself in the community contributing time, talent, and treasure. Santosh served as the FWTEC Board Treasurer from 2017 – 2021 and remained on the board as a Director until September 2022. He also spent some time volunteering with the TennisWorks program alongside his wife, Ruth. As strong believers in the FWTEC mission, Santosh and Ruth purchased naming rights to Court 4 in 2020 in support of the Capital Campaign. A desire to be near family has brought the Krishnans out of MN, and Santosh currently resides in Maryland where he enjoys being an active Grandfather and maintaining his tennis game.

Rick Rinkoff - 2023

Rick has been playing tennis at FWTEC since 2008, initially picking up the game when his sons started playing in the junior program. He deepened his involvement by serving as FWTEC Board President from 2017 – March, 2021, before transitioning to the Past President role until March 2023. Rick also served as Co-Chair of the 2018-2020 Capital Campaign Committee and remains on the Finance and TennisWorks Advisory Committees. His volunteerism extended into a gymnasium in 2021 when he started volunteering with the TennisWorks after-school program at Folwell Elementary. Rick and his wife, Julia, have generously supported the mission of FWTEC in numerous ways, including a lasting gift to the Capital Campaign in 2020 with the naming of the Rinkoff/Ferguson Family Lobby.

Jo Batty-George - 2022

Jo consistently volunteered with FWTEC programs every Tuesday and Thursday night and scheduled her vacations around these days. She volunteered on court with beginner players and filled the court with laughter; however, her real super power was off court volunteering with a girls' circle. Jo listened to all of the girls and was available to help them navigate the bumpy journey through middle and high school. During all of this, Jo was a full-time nurse practitioner and would volunteer time as well at local clinics. She passed away in February, 2022, but will always be remembered for her huge heart and ability to always find time for anyone who needed support.

Jeanne Lacy - 2022

Jeanne started volunteering with Girls Squad in 2005, and was our Crafty Youth Mentor. She created and led the craft activities that were amazing and challenging, but never frustrating. Her projects allowed time for conversation to flow during the craft activity, and she would lead or listen depending on the situation. Both her daughters Rasheeda and Milliecia progressed through the program as tennis players, serving as senior tennis captains of their high school teams. Instilling the value of volunteer service, her daughter, Rasheeda, is now a volunteer with our current Fearlessly GiRL program.

Linda Langeness - 2022

Linda began working for Fred Wells in 1968 at his family-owned business, the Peavey Company. She served on the Board of Directors of Tennis & Education, Inc. (our legal name) from 2001-2009. At the Fred Wells Tennis & Education Center, Linda was the Business Manager from 2002-2013. She did everything behind the scenes to keep the lights on and ensure Fred's vision stayed a reality. Any story that we hear from the days of when his facility was a blueprint and just an idea jotted down on yellow-lined paper, Linda was right there to move things forward. She continued working for Fred in various job positions until his passing in 2005. Since 1992, Linda has worked for the Wells Family Foundation.

Susie Neet - 2022

Susie is a native of Minneapolis and has volunteered for more than 30 years in our tennis community. She was our very first volunteer back in 2003 with Girls Squad and after-school programs for under-represented students from local schools. Susie spent 34 years as a grade-school teacher and retired in 2002. In 2013, she was inducted into the USTA Northern Hall of Fame. Susie's personality, spirit, and wisdom has influenced so many. As the very first volunteer, she laid the foundation, and 20 years later, we are so proud to have her officially join our legendary group of community members.

Dan Shannon - 2022

Dan served as Vice President of Tennis and Education, Inc. (our legal name) from 1996-2002 and was the very first Executive Director from 2002-2006. Dan stayed involved with the organization as the Board Chair until 2009 and a Board Member until 2014. He continued impacting lives in the Twin Cities by joining the Advisory Board and Player Liaison of the Pine Tree Apple Tennis Classic Tournament. Dan was a teaching professional at Lifetime Eden Prairie from 2008 until his retirement in 2020.

Deb Frishberg - 2021

Deb is a regular player at Monday drills, permanent court time on Wednesday mornings, Women’s Day League Doubles on Thursday, and has supported many of our projects, including food deliveries to our students. Deb started volunteering with TennisWorks in 2016. A few years ago, she asked if she could bring homemade cookies for the students, which received 100% approval and is a highlight every session. As a game enthusiast, Deb has spent time both winning and losing at Connect 4 with our students. She is one of our best “celebrators” and makes sure kids know when they are on the right track, whether in the classroom or on court.

Karen Gjerstad - 2021

Karen drills regularly, plays weekly in permanent court time, and started playing in the Women’s Day League in 2009. Karen started volunteering in 2010 with our younger TennisWorks students in 3rd and 4th grade. Realizing how connected she was getting to the students, especially the girls, she followed them into middle school and several are now part of the Fearlessly GiRL leadership program. Karen’s relationships are very deep with our students. She gives them a lot of support, and they have reciprocated as well during life’s journeys. When we transitioned to remote programming, Karen would include messages in our letters home to the students and supported our food drives. Whether in-person or from afar, Coach Karen is always there for students.

Nancy Lawrence - 2021

Nancy has been an avid tennis player and tennis referee. In 2006, Nancy came on the last day of TennisWorks session, which included pizza, prizes, and mass confusion. In spite of that confusing start, her volunteer journey began and she has consistently volunteered twice a week with school programs since. One winter, when we were short volunteers, Nancy increased her commitment to three days a week and supported two different school groups. When we needed help with transportation, she raised her hand again. Nancy has a special relationship with a group of 14 students from Andersen United Community School who she supported in both elementary and middle school. They are now all big tenth graders, but they still want to know what Coach Nancy is doing. Nancy is also a long-standing member of our TennisWorks Advisory Committee.

Walt & Ginger Bailey - 2019

Walt and Ginger Bailey have been familiar faces at The Fort for nearly its entire existence. Long time Lilydale Club players, the Baileys began playing at The Fort when Lilydale closed its doors in the early 2000s. Ginger has played in women’s day leagues, drills, and belongs to several networks of Fort patrons friendly tennis groups. Her enjoyment of the game is easy to see. Walt also plays in many circles, and has been a part of Fort drills in the past. A close confidant of one of the Fort’s first Legends Jim Dixon, the two have shared many great times on and off the tennis courts throughout the years.

Dale Borgeson - 2019

Dale Borgeson has been playing tennis for nearly 60 years, the last thirty of those with the same group. Dale has been a dedicated patron of The Fort since 2011, still playing 2-3 times per week. Even when Dale was sidelined with an injury that limited his mobility, he would still come to watch his long-time tennis friends play during their permanent court-time. Dale is also an enthusiastic supporter of our TennisWorks program, always attending fundraising events and making sure he wins the bid on at least one auction item! When Dale is not at The Fort spreading his positivity, he can be found singing to seniors in assisted living homes or fulfilling his role as Senior Vice Commander of The Aquatennial.

Bill Cosgrove - 2019

Bill Cosgrove, or COZ, as he was affectionately referred to by his tennis buddies, was a longtime friend and supporter of The Fort. Bill held permanent court time twice a week for many years and enjoyed visiting with friends in the lobby after their matches. Bill loved to engage young people about their academic pursuits and dreams, so he very much appreciated The Fort’s TennisWorks program and the under-resourced youth it served. Bill had many interests and talents; besides being a nationally ranked tennis player, he was a published author, avid tomato grower, origami maker and insistent do-it-yourselfer. Shortly before his passing, Bill started giving to the Fortify our Future Campaign and was excited about the future of The Fort. After Bill’s passing, his family graciously honored his love of tennis by creating the Bill Cosgrove TennisWorks Scholarship Fund. Bill’s memory and love of tennis will be honored for a long time to come each time a new young player is introduced to the game he found so much joy in.

EDWARD BACKSTROM III - 2018

The late-Edward Backstrom III was a retired attorney for the City of Minneapolis. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed tennis, volleyball, biking, scuba diving, skiing, golf and photography. Two to three times a week, Ed participated in tennis drills at The Fort. He also was a frequent volunteer with the TennisWorks program, and since October of 2016, he had accumulated over 100 hours of service. Ed was an incredible friend of The Fort, with his family asking that all memorials support the TennisWorks program after he passed away.

CORRINE MCCARTHY - 2018

Recently celebrating her 89th birthday, age does not stop Corrine McCarthy from doing the things she loves most, including playing tennis. Playing 3-4 times a week, there are days she plays up to 3 hours a day subbing for other players. Corrine started playing at The Fort in 2004 when the Lilydale Club closed and has been a fixture here ever since. Corrine shows that tennis is truly a lifetime sport and demonstrates the spirit of what makes up a Legend of the Fort.

KAREN HOLLAUS - 2018

Karen Hollaus has been a regular at The Fort since the closing of the Lilydale Club in 2004. She began taking tennis lessons from Ric Yates and Jim Dixon – both previous Legends of the Fort honorees - in the late 1970s and early 1980s at Lilydale, developing a friendship with these coaches that continues today. Karen has participated on Women’s Daytime League teams in both singles and doubles at The Fort, plays doubles with friends regularly and has frequently been on the court herself perfecting her serve or strokes with the ball machine.

Charlie Boone, 2017

Charlie Boone was the long-time voice on WCCO radio.  Paired up with the late Roger Erickson, their show was a mainstay in the Twin Cities for 37-years.  Charlie was an early advocate for The Fort, using his radio show as a platform to get the word out about the center in its early days in the early 2000s.  He played at The Fort Monday, Wednesday and Saturday with his devout group of friends, several of whom are still playing Monday and Wednesday mornings. 

Bea Langford, 2017

Bea embodies the lifelong game of tennis!  She’s been playing since her mother took her and her younger brother out to a net strung-up in the driveway.  That one game of tennis was the only one until high school when she was able to play tennis in high school (though it involved a great deal of running up and down hills in between classes).  From there, Bea took lessons and joined a robust community of tennis players and their families.  Bea played at Lilydale enjoying the company of mixed-doubles until The Fort opened in 2002 where she’s played ever since.  Bea credits tennis with allowing her to make lifelong friends, keeping fit, and helping keep a balance in life.

Skip Pederson, 2017

Skip  is a long time supporter of The Fort. Skip runs 12 permanent court times weekly hosting roughly 20 senior participants and is always headed out to "lunch" with his friends.   He is known for his big personality and great and friendly attitude.  He brings a smile to everyone's face every time he enters the building.  Anyone you talk to would agree that he is a true legend of The Fort!

Tony Stingley, 2017

For over 25 years, Stingley served as a tennis instructor, player, official, administrator and mentor helping thousands of people throughout the tennis community.  Tony was instrumental in founding The Fort’s weekend programs during the early days of The Fort’s inception.  His guidance was crucial in getting The Fort where it is today.  Tony currently heads up USTA Northern’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives, including the Diverse Player Scholarship program which grants under-resourced junior players the opportunity to participate in the game of tennis.

Doug Benson, 2016

Doug has been a volunteer in our TennisWorks after-school program since January of 2005, eleven years of untiring commitment and time to the mission of FWTEC.  Everyone here at The Fort and other volunteers describe him as a kind, caring and observant youth coach.  He tries to learn students’ names, no matter how difficult it might be.  The first year, we had 10 Myanmar students with names difficult for a native English speaker.  Doug took the attendance sheet home and memorized them all.  Doug often thinks about the students after a session and will bring new ideas and observations about what might work better with the students.

Jim Nichols, 2016

In 2005, Jim brought two groups of his tennis friends to The Fort upon the closing of Lilydale Club. Today, Jim calls FWTEC his home. He reserves 22 plus courts per week with over 100 players on his roster.  He makes sure that all his players stay competitive.  Jim fills the morning courts with smiling faces and is always willing  to take on new players and make them feel welcome at the Fort.  Jim, at 87 years of age, remains a competitive player on the court.  Over the years, Jim has provided many opportunities for seniors to continue and begin playing the life-long sport of tennis. Jim is truly an ambassador of the Fort and the game of tennis.

Jim Dixon, 2016

Jim and his devout players migrated to FWTEC in 2005 when the Lilydale Club closed its doors.  Since then, Jim has been at the heart of our Women’s Day League, coaching teams of all different skill levels. In addition, Jim has coached  juniors at The Fort and is a boys high school coach.  Jim is a widely respected racquet stringing expert and has been the architect behind players’ racquets over the years. Jim continues his passion for tennis with his weekly doubles crew here at The Fort.

Ruby Rott, 2016

Ruby is an 83-year-old woman who can keep up with players who are half her age.  Ruby loves her tennis. Even though her doctors have encouraged her to slow down a bit, Ruby is from the World War II generation.  She has the Rosie the Riveter attitude of “we can do it” and she does.  In addition to playing league tennis, Ruby regularly competes in tennis in the Annual Senior Games.  Each year she competes against other players across the nation and regularly brings home a collection of gold and silver trophies and medals.  This year, Ruby was inducted into the Minnesota Senior Sports Association Hall of Fame. Ruby is living proof that age is merely a “state of mind.”

Ric Yates, 2016

Ric has been one of the most respected coaches in the Northern Section for over 40 years, dating back to the early 70s when he became the Tennis Director at the Lilydale Club.  Ric is a highly respected premier coach for juniors and adults of all levels.  Ric has coached at the collegiate level, leading the University of Thomas to a MIAC title and producing four NCAA Division III All Americans.  In 2005 when Lilydale closed, Ric found a new home at FWTEC.  In his 11 years at the Fort, he has worked with hundreds of Women’s Day League players and remains a trusted voice in all areas of tennis development, coaching and management.  One of the section’s craftiest doubles players, Ric Yates has demonstrated a passion for the game of tennis throughout his life and has influenced many to embrace tennis as a life-long sport.