KAREN WHITE HARDIN
Tennis, 1971-73
Inducted February 15, 2003

Karen White was a three-year participant in women’s tennis at SMS from 1971-73. Under the guidance of coach Mary Jo Wynn, Hardin recorded the first victory by an SMS women’s tennis player at a national meet during the AIAW championships as a senior in 1973. White finished that year with a 20-5 record as SMS won the MAIAW state championship, finished second at the regional meet and ended the year with an AIAW national collegiate ranking of 13th. SMS also finished as the state AIAW runner-up during the 1971 and 1972 seasons. Upon her graduation from SMS, White continued to compete on the United States Tennis Association and American Tennis Association circuits. She held a No. 8 USTA ranking in 1975, seventh in 1976 and was ranked second in doubles competition in 1976. On the ATA circuit, White was ranked ninth in doubles competition in 1976, won the ATA doubles championship in 1977 and was a mixed double semifinalist in 1978. From 1973 to 1977, she served as a tennis instructor at Springfield (Mo.) Central High School, coaching both the men’s and women’s varsity teams.