NEWS

Class of 2025 APTA Hall of Fame Inductee – Mark Parsons

On behalf of the APTA Hall of Fame Nominating Committee, the APTA is pleased to announce the election of Mark Parsons to the APTA Hall of Fame, Class of 2025.

The APTA Platform Tennis Hall of Fame recognizes those individuals who have either dominated their sport and/or made significant contributions to the growth of the game. 

The HOF Nominating Committee nominated Mark Parsons to the APTA Hall of Fame, Class of 2025, and the APTA Board enthusiastically approved this nomination. He will be inducted at a location and date to be determined this season.

Accomplishments

 Mark Parsons distinguished himself by winning four Men’s National Championships from 2011 through 2019  with three different partners. During those nine years, Mark was also a finalist twice. In fact, Mark earned a     spot in the Men’s Championship finals for four straight years, from 2013 through 2016, winning twice.

 In 2011, Mark teamed with fellow Canadian Mike Stulac to win his first Men’s National Championship, against   Johan du Randt and Matt Porter.

 In 2012, Mark partnered with Johan and won the Men’s National Championship in 2013 and 2014. In 2015 and   2016, Mark and Johan were finalists in the Men’s Nationals final.

 Mark wasn’t finished just yet, as several years later he then teamed up with Juan Arraya to win the 2019 Men’s  National Championship.

Special Sauce

With his tennis pedigree—University of Tennessee All-American in singles—Mark brought his competitive spirit and devastating two-handed backhand to the platform tennis community and left a lasting imprint on our sport.

He will be remembered for climbing up the screen on many of his backhand shots, for extra leverage, power, and because it was fun. He was known as a mellow partner on the court, saying little but seeming to enjoy himself immensely.

On top of all his fine work in the men’s field, Mark and his wife, Dana (a Tennessee Volunteer as well), won the Husband/Wife National Championships in 2014 and 2015.

A Decade of Great Play

From 2011 through 2019, Mark earned four Men’s National Championships and was a finalist twice. That equates to six finals in nine years with three different partners. Said another way, Mark Parsons was clearly a dominant player in the sport of men’s platform tennis during the 2010s. 

Congratulations to Mark Parsons, Class of 2025 Platform Tennis Hall of Fame!