By RICK PETERSON
TopSports.news
Earning induction into a hall of fame, any all of fame, is an honor in itself.
But the opporunity to enter The Topeka Tennis Association Hall of Fame class along with their late fathers was a special honor for 2022 inductees Greg Kossover and Charles Stearns.
Greg Kossover was inducted Saturday night at the Bettis Family Sports Complex along with his father, Harold, while Stearns was inducted along with his father, Gary.
Bob Keeshan (left), Charles Stearns (center) and Greg Kossover pose for a picture Saturday night before being inducted into the Topeka Tennis Hall of Fame at the Bettis Family Sports Complex.
"It is more than a cherry on top,'' Greg Kossover said about sharing his HOF honor with his father. "That is the best part of the whole thing. How many sons would love to be doing something like this with their father?''
Greg Kossover was the top varsity player for Topeka West from 1979 to 1981, finishing his career with the most match victories in West history, including 30 wins as a senior for the Chargers. He went on to play for Emporia State from 1981 to 1985, playing No.1 one singles and doubles for the Hornets..
Kossover, who now lives in the Wichita area, was a CSIC singles and doubles champion.
Harold Kossover served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and helped forge growth in Topeka tennis in the 1960s. For 25 years, Kossover competed in every TTA adult tournament age, winning numerous titles.
Harold Kossover is the namesake for the Kossover Tennis Center in Topeka.
Stearns, who now lives in Boise, Idaho, echoed Kossover's thoughts about sharing the hall of fame honor with his father.
"It's why I'm here,'' Stearns said. "It's not about me.''
Stearns said that his father and numerous others played a big role in cementing Topeka as a tennis town over the years.
"I wrote a tiny speech because I'm not really good at speeches, but as I'm writing it, it was all about who I call the originals,'' said Stearns, who was a top player for Topeka High and a four-year varsity player at Kansas, where he served as team captain for three years. "For me, it's about making sure we don't forget the history that got us here today and learn from what they taught us.''
Also inducted Saturday as part of the class of 2022 were Bob Keeshan, the late Jim Clark and the late Gail Johnson.
"It means a lot, and I really appreciate it.'' Keeshan said of his HOF induction.
A former standout player, Keeshan has spent 41 straight years on the Topeka Tennis Association board and is a four-time past president while also serving as vice-president, secretary and treasurer.
Like Stearns, Keeshan said he is proud of Topeka tennis' legacy and said the local hall of fame is a good way to honor past players while encouraging younger tennis players.
"It's good to let the next generation see what we've done and maybe pave the way,'' Keeshan said.
Hall of Fame capsules:
JIM CLARK
Clark played No. 1 singles for Topeka High in 1944 and went on to serve as captain for Emporia State's tennis team and a CIC Conference champion.
Jim Clark
He coached tennis and basketball at Ottawa Junior High School and became active in the Topeka Tennis Club and Hughes Courts in 1957.
Clark as director of the Jayhawk Tennis Tournament in the 1960s, recruiting top players to Jayhawk and helping it become one of the Missouri Valley's most prestigious events.
Served as chair umpire for many of the Jayhawk finals at Hughes Courts.
Served as chair umpire for the Billy Martin vs. Vitas Gerulaitis charity event in Topeka.
GAIL JOHNSON
Johnson moved to Topeka in 1951 and started a tennis shot in his basement at 811 Randolph.
Gail Johnson
Johnon operated the only racket shop in Topeka from 1951 to 1974.
In the 1950s, '60s and '70s, Johnson was regarded as the face of Topeka tennis.
He was the founding father of the Topeka Tennis Club, which is now the Topeka Tennis Association, and served as the Jayhawk Open Tennis Tournament director in the 1950s and '60s.
BOB KEESHAN
Keeshan has spent 41 straight years on the Topeka Tennis Association board and is a four-time past president while also serving as vice-president, secretary and treasurer.
Bob Keeshan
Keeshan is a two-time past president of the Kansas District Tennis Association and has also served as vice-president and district league coordinator.
He has been a member of 10 that went to USTA League Nationals and numerous teams that went to sectionals.
Keeshan was a co-captain and member of a first-place team in the 2000 USTA 4.5 Senior Nationals, was a captain and member of a third-place team in the 18 and over USTA 1993 4.0 Nationals and captain of the first Kansas district team that went to Tri Level Nationals.
Chaired many of the TTA Jayhawk Tournaments over past decades.
GREG KOSSOVER
Kossover was the top varsity player for Topeka West from 1979 to 1981, finishing his career with the most match victories in West history, including 30 wins as a senior for the Chargers.
Greg Kossover
Kossover won three league championships for West, was a three-time regional finalist and won one regional championship.
He played for Emporia State from 1981 to 1985, playing No.1 one singles and doubles for the Hornets..
Kossover was a CSIC singles and doubles champion and championed the Kossover Family Tennis Complex on the ESU campus.
HAROLD KOSSOVER
Kossover served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War.
Harold Kossover
Helped forge growth in tennis through the Topeka Tennis Association in 1960s.
For 25 years, Kossover competed in every TTA adult tournament age, winning numerous titles.
He mentored and coached Topeka athletes in several sports, including tennis.
Played semi-pro shortstop alongside Brooks Robinson of the Orioles.
Namesake for the Kossover Tennis Center in Topeka.
CHARLES STEARNS
Stearns was the top varsity player at Topeka High all three years.
He notched multiple Missouri Valley tournament wins and played four years of varsity tennis for Kansas, serving as team captain for three consecutive years.
Stearns was voted Most Inspirational Player for Kansas his senior year and earned an ATP point while playing the circuit in doubles.
Served as first chair assistant KU women's tennis coach in 1986 and was voted best teammate by his tennis peers.
Gary and Charles Stearns
GARY STEARNS
Stearns was one of the original founders of Wood Valley Racquet Club, paving the way for indoor tennis in Topeka.
He was a major supporter of the Topeka Tennis Association and youth tennis.
Stearns spent endless hours working to enhance indoor tennis and was a father figure and mentor to many junior tennis players in Topeka.
