Charlie Lane inducted into USTA Alabama Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame

MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Huntingdon men's tennis coach Charlie Lane was posthumously inducted into the USTA Alabama Tennis Foundation Hall of Fame this weekend.

Lane, who passed away on Feb. 5, was one of three inducted during a Hall of Fame ceremony at the Montgomery Country Club on Saturday. Lane was inducted along with University of Alabama tennis coach Jenny Mainz and past President of the USTA Eleanora Mauritson.

Lane's impact on the Alabama tennis community was felt for more than 40 years. He was also an Alabama Tennis Association Career Achievement Award winner and was honored in 2014 by the Blue-Gray Tennis Association with the Jim Wilson Jr. Giving Back with Grace Award.

A native of Sylacauga, Lane was a four-year player for Huntingdon at No. 1 singles. He led the Hawks to their first conference championship and he was named an Outstanding College Athlete of America as a senior in 1971.

After graduation, Lane spent 20 years working for the City of Montgomery Parks and Recreation Department. One of his first assignments was to help set up O'Connor Tennis Center. After his time as Tennis Director for the City of Montgomery, Lane remained a prominent tennis instructor in the city.

From 2004-2006, he coached at the high school level at St. James. He led the boys to a third-place finish in the state tournament in 2004 and 2005 and guided the girls to a state runner-up finish in 2006.

He returned to his alma mater following the 2006 season. In eight seasons, he led Huntingdon to a 91-48 record, three Great South Athletic Conference tournament championships and one regular-season title. In their first season in the USA South Athletic Conference in 2014, Lane's Hawks were 13-4 and reached the conference semifinals.

From 2007-2012 as members of the GSAC, Lane was twice named conference Coach of the Year and led the Hawks to five straight appearances in the conference tournament finals. He helped produce one conference Player of the Year, four Freshmen of the Year and 13 All-Freshmen team members.

In the GSAC and USA South, Lane coached a combined 22 all-conference players and 17 academic all-conference performers.