JACKSON, Miss. - Former Delta State University tennis standout Marvin "Marty" Pearson was recently inducted into the Mississippi Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday, Jan. 10 at the Country Club of Jackson.  Pearson has long been associated with tennis in the state and through his play, support, and instruction has left an unmistakable imprint on Mississippi tennis.

Marty's tennis career began in Houston, Mississippi, and continued at Delta State University, where he was twice recognized as MVP on the 1972 and 1973 tennis teams. After graduation he served as coach, counselor, teacher, and administrator in Mississippi schools for thirty-six years. For 25 of those years, he coached high school tennis, winning eight team district titles, nine individual state titles, and two team state titles, amassing a career record of 193-93-1. He coached the 1996 High School All-Star team and was selected "Coach of the Year" in 1997 by the Mississippi Association of Coaches.

His career as a player has been equally as successful. He was named the Mississippi Tennis Association's Adult Player of the Year in 1996, 2007, and 2011. In 2012 he was named the Southern Slew Hester Male Player of the Year. Marty has earned a national ranking in doubles 15 times with four different partners and has been ranked in the top five in the nation six times.

He and his partner Roger Pearce were No. 1 in the 60's doubles in 2012 and No. 2 in the nation in 2013. Marty has won 54 Southern Age Division Doubles Championships with 13 different partners, has played on seven USTA league teams that won Southern Sectional Championships, and has been ranked No. 1 in the Southern Section in doubles 18 times.

His trophy collection also consists of two Gold Balls, four Silver Balls, and four Bronze balls won in National Age Tournaments. In addition, he has played on the Mississippi Senior Cup Team fifteen times, serving as captain six times. Marty, the father of one daughter, currently resides in Oxford, where he is an active member of the Oxford CTA and the North Oxford Baptist Church.