April 14, 2014
LEXINGTON, Ky. – Former All-Southeastern Conference performer and University of Kentucky men’s tennis player Doug Tough was elected to the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics Alumni Hall of Fame on April 4.
In Tough’s speech, he addressed the impact that tennis at UK had on his life and current successes as a professional.
“The lessons learned in tennis served me in good stead for my future years as CEO in the business world,” Tough said in his induction speech. “A main lesson learned was how to make 24 hours fit into 20 with my tennis team commitments. Learning to maximize my time became important as my career advanced became important and a lesson that I’ll never forget.”
Tough, who played No. 1 and No. 2 singles for the Wildcats all four years of his career, is also a finalist for the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Achievement Award. In his four years with the UK men’s tennis program, Tough played under head coach Graddy Johnson after being recruited to play in Lexington by coach Richard Vimont.
A 2013 UK Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, Tough was a transformational player for the Wildcats, as he helped upgrade the Wildcats’ talent level in the SEC. Tough represented his native Canada in the Junior Davis Cup, which was for players 21 and under and held overseas in Europe. Tough was one of few players to play at the one and two slot in both singles and doubles throughout his entire career in the Blue and White. Tough was named All-SEC in 1972 after leading the Wildcats to yet another successful season.
“I wish I had had the chance to coach Doug because he seems to be exactly the type person we all want to coach,” former UK head coach and ITA Hall of Fame member Dennis Emery said. “He is someone who was driven to succeed in both academics and athletics. He took the opportunity that an athletic scholarship gave him and built a career that has taken him not only all over the world, but also into the top boardrooms in New York.”
After growing up in Canada, Tough was one of the first-ever international athletes in the University of Kentucky’s athletics department. Tough now holds a dual citizenship in both Canada, and the United States.
“What an inspiration it is for our team to be able to see what a degree at the University of Kentucky can do for your future,” current head coach Cedric Kauffmann said. “It is great for us all to know that you can have an extremely high level of success coming out of the tennis program here at Kentucky.”
Tough’s post-college career is even more impressive than his on-court resume, as he has served in many high-profile positions since his time in Lexington. Tough was the President and Chief Executive Officer of Dr Pepper and 7UP Inc., from 2000-03, and he currently serves as the Chairman and CEO of International Flavors and Fragrances, based in New York which is a member of the S&P 500 index.
For continuing coverage of UK men’s tennis, log on to UKathletics.com.
