Hall of Fame
Claes Persson (1994-97), a native of Smalandstennar, Sweden, is the most decorated tennis player in Lander's history. A member of four national championship teams, Persson was a NCAA Division II All-American three times and academic All-American twice while playing No. 1 singles. A one-time Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year, Persson was also a two-time Lander Male Athlete of the Year, and a four-time All-PBC recipient. In 1997, Persson was selected as a member of the Rolex/Tennis Magazine Collegiate All-Star Team and won the national Arthur Ashe Award. He was the National NCAA Senior of the Year and became the only non-Division I player to win the prestigious Dan Magill Award, which is given to the athlete in all of NCAA tennis who best exhibits athletic ability, sportsmanship, academic success and concern for others. Inducted 2005.
