Two Gator Greats Named to 2015 ITA Hall of Fame Class
Tuesday, March 10, 2015 | Men's Tennis
SKILLMAN, N.J. – Current assistant coach of the Florida men's tennis team, Mark Merklein, and former Gator standout Jeff Morrison have been named to the 2015 Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men's Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame class, as announced by the ITA Monday.
The 2015 ITA Men's Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame Enshrinement Banquet will take place on May 20 during the NCAA DI Men's & Women's Tennis Championships at Baylor University in Waco, Texas.
A four-time ITA All-American in both singles and doubles for the Orange and Blue, Merklein earned two individual NCAA Champion titles (1993 doubles, 1994 singles), as well as three All-SEC honors and the 1994 SEC Player of the Year nod. He completed his collegiate career ranked first in overall wins and singles wins, and second in doubles wins in the Florida men's tennis record books. 
“I am very happy to hear that Mark will be inducted into the ITA Hall of Fame,” said Florida men's tennis head coach Bryan Shelton. “There aren't too many guys who have accomplished what he has in college tennis. Not only did he lead the University of Florida to an SEC Championship, but winning the NCAA doubles and singles crowns were special achievements. Everyone would agree that it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.”
The Coral Gables, Fla., native played professionally from 1994-2005 and reached career-high ATP rankings of No. 160 in singles and No. 35 in doubles. Merklein is currently serving in his second season as assistant coach of the Florida Gators men's tennis team.
Morrison captured the 1999 NCAA singles title and received All-America recognition in both singles and doubles 
in 1999 and 2000. He was also named the ITA National Player to Watch and the SEC Player of the Year in addition to collecting First Team All-SEC honors in singles and doubles in 1999.
“What makes Mark's induction really special is that he goes into the Hall alongside another Gator legend, Jeff Morrison,” Shelton added. “Jeff was another phenomenal player here who made our Gator faithful very proud. It is very fitting to see those two guys recognized for their outstanding achievements.”
Morrison set the Gators single-season record with 47 singles victories as a sophomore and became the first player in Florida history to win 30 or more singles matches in back-to-back seasons. Morrison was named the 2000 SEC Tournament MVP, as he helped the Gators to the league title. He finished the 2000 season ranked No. 1 in the ITA singles rankings and is the second winningest player in UF history.
The ITA released a complete listing of this year's inductees including full bios for each honoree.
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