Bob Hewitt Is Suspended From Hall Of Fame

Written by: Staff on 16th November 2012

Bob Hewitt Is Suspended From Hall Of Fame |

Bob Hewitt, who won nine Grand Slam doubles titles at all four majors during the 1960’s and ‘70’s, has become the first inducted member ever to suffer the disgrace of being suspended from the International Tennis Hall of Fame after an investigation into allegations that he sexually abused girls he coached

The plaque of Hewitt, the 72 year-old Australian-born but naturalized South African who was entered into the Hall of Fame nearly 20 years ago, has been removed from its spot in Newport, Rhode Island and according to Hall of Fame CEO Mark Stenning, his legacy ceases to exist.

Stenning said: “His legacy ceases to exist in the Hall of Fame. As of today, his plaque will be removed, his name will be removed from our website and all other materials, and from the perspective of the Hall of Fame, he ceases to be a Hall of Famer.’’

According to Stenning, the Hall of Fame’s Executive Committee voted unanimously to suspend Hewitt indefinitely after an outside investigation deemed credible the allegations of multiple women who claimed they were abused while he was coaching them several decades ago.

Michael Connolly, an attorney with Hinckley, Allen and Snyder, hired by the Hall of Fame to conduct the inquiry into the allegations, reportedly interviewed more than 25 people and last September spent ten hours questioning Hewitt, who was accompanied by two South African lawyers.

“We identified as many of the victims as we could, spoke to them, spoke to their family members and spoke to a host of others with relevant information,” maintained Connolly who presented his findings to the Hall of Fame’s Executive Committee.two months ago.

On Wednesday Connolly made a final presentation to a specially convened panel in New York City after Hall of Fame bylaws were amended earlier this year to allow for both suspension and expulsion.

According to the Associated Press, among those interviewed by Connolly was Heather Conner, of West Newbury, Massachusetts who maintained she was sexually abused by Hewitt starting at age 15.

Conner, who has spoken publicly before and agreed to be identified, had been critical of the Hall for not taking action sooner and had sought Hewitt’s expulsion. She admitted to being both surprised and pleased by the Hall of Fame’s decision.

“Honestly, I really didn’t think they were going to do anything,” she said. “I’m thankful that they’ve listened and heard. It feels good to be believed.”

Hewitt is believed to be in South Africa but is currently unavailable to make any comment. However last year The Weekend Post newspaper in South Africa quoted him as saying: “I only want to apologize if I offended anyone in any way.”

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: Australian tennis news, Bob Hewitt, International Hall of Fame, Sports, Tennis News