Duckworth gift to enhance Clemson University tennis facility

Published: November 6, 2009

CLEMSON — A $500,000 gift from Ed and Jane Duckworth of Atlanta will allow Clemson University to enhance its Hoke Sloan Tennis Center with a new pavilion.

The Duckworth Pavilion will be a two-story expansion, offering an open top deck for watching tennis matches or hosting social events. The covered lower deck will include an outdoor kitchen and facilities that can be used for team meetings and other functions.

The gift recognition will be part of a special reunion event Saturday morning at the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center marking 100 years of tennis at Clemson. The celebration will feature the Duckworths, President Jim Barker, former and current tennis players and coaches. For the finale, participants will hit 100 tennis balls.

“The Duckworths have provided a significant contribution to our tennis program with their noble gesture to enhance the Hoke Sloan Tennis Center,” said Bill D’Andrea, senior associate athletic director for external affairs. “The Duckworth Pavilion will strengthen our tennis program in recruiting and student-athlete accommodations and will provide a great facility for our fans to enjoy as well. We are deeply grateful for their donation and their commitment to the Tiger tennis teams.”

Ed Duckworth, a native of Asheville, N.C.,  graduated from Clemson in 1961 with a civil engineering degree. He is senior vice president of investments with UBS Financial Services in Atlanta. Prior to his career in finance, he worked as an engineer with Atlanta Gas and Light.

Jane Duckworth, a Meredith College alumna, was an elementary school teacher in Clemson while Ed was completing his degree. After moving to Atlanta, she continued to teach until having three children and becoming a homemaker. Two of the Duckworths’ children — Jeff Duckworth and Leeanne Melvin — graduated from Clemson. Son Jim Duckworth attended the University of Mississippi, where he played tennis on scholarship.

The Duckworths describe themselves as a “tennis family,” as all five of them play and enjoy the sport. All of their children played tennis and were ranked players in Georgia. The Duckworths also have been actively involved in the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association, a large non-profit organization in Atlanta devoted to the competitive playing and development of junior tennis.

“We love Clemson, and we believe in its legacy. We felt the desire to give back,” said Ed Duckworth. “Olympic sports need help and attention, and over the years we have followed and had a passion for Clemson tennis.”

END