June 27, 2007

BOCA RATON, FL - Whitney Kraft, a Florida Atlantic University men's tennis player from 1981-1983 and a member of the 2006 Inaugural Athletic Hall of Fame, was named the director of tennis for the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.

Kraft served as the director of racket sports at the Boca Pointe Country Club, but most recently served as the director of tennis for the city of Fort Lauderdale when he replaced Jimmy Evert, who retired after 49 years. While with the city of Fort Lauderdale, Kraft oversaw the development of youth and adult tennis programs and brought the ITF World Championship to Holiday Park. Prior to his August 8 start date in New York, he will serve as the director of tennis for the 81st national Public Parks Championship at the Evert Tennis Center, scheduled for July 28-August 3.

Kraft was a two-time team captain for Florida Atlantic and led by example with a 1982 All-American honor. He captured the NAIA Southeast Region title and advanced to the National Championship where he was victorious in his first eight matches and advanced to the semifinals.