The Tennis Foundation of Mississippi  is proud to announce Ann Brady and Mark Easley as the newest inductees into the Mississippi Tennis Hall of Fame. Both have made significant and lasting contributions to tennis in Mississippi through their leadership, dedication, and commitment to growing the game.

Their induction recognizes decades of service and achievement, as well as the impact they have made on players, programs, and tennis communities throughout the state.

Ann Brady

A visionary administrator and dedicated competitor, Ann Brady guided Mississippi tennis through an era of unprecedented growth and modernization.

Born in Natchez and raised in Yazoo City, Brady earned a degree in Music Education (Piano) from Mississippi College. She taught music in the Hinds County public school system and served as church pianist at Lakeside Presbyterian Church at the Reservoir before picking up a tennis racket for the very first time in 1977 at the Reservoir Racquet & Swim Club.

After picking up the game at the age of 28, what started as a recreational pursuit quickly developed into a lifelong passion for the sport. She became an accomplished competitive player, helping her USTA/Volvo 4.5 team capture the National Championship in Tucson, Arizona, in 1990.

Brady began working with the Mississippi Tennis Association (MTA) in 1988 on a part-time basis, entering tournament and league results. She became the USTA State League Coordinator in 1991 and was named Executive Director in 1995.

During her tenure, Mississippi tennis experienced extraordinary growth. Association membership increased from fewer than 2,000 in 1991 to more than 10,000 by 2016. Under her leadership, the organization expanded its staff and operations, established a permanent office, and embraced technological advancements that modernized tournament and league administration.

Brady, along with the support of the Board and work of the MTA staff, advanced initiatives that strengthened tennis communities across Mississippi. Under Brady’s leadership, the association founded the Mississippi Tennis Association College Scholarship in 2003, which is given to two graduating seniors each year and is renewable for four years.  The Adopt-a-Court Grant program (now known as the Community Tennis and Facilities Grant) was introduced in 2002 to support court construction and restoration. Following Hurricane Katrina, the Board established a disaster relief fund to help rebuild tennis facilities on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.  Also during her tenure, USTA Mississippi established a Mississippi tennis car tag, with all proceeds from sales going back into improving tennis facilities in Mississippi.. The facilities’ grant program has grown to now give out nearly $60K per year across 10-12 facilities annually.

Reflecting on the role tennis has played in her life, Brady credits the sport with teaching her accountability, teamwork, sportsmanship, and the importance of building lasting relationships.

"Tennis has been a major part of my life for over 35 years. Through the sport, I have learned to focus on what I can control, take personal accountability, and master emotional control. It has also taught me the true value of teamwork... My goal is to leave a legacy of sportsmanship and mentorship, inclusivity and connection, helping to strengthen and expand the tennis community that gave me so much."

— Ann Brady

Her contributions as both a player and administrator have helped shape the landscape of Mississippi tennis for generations.

Ann married the late Dan Brady of Jackson, have two children, Scotta and Will (Wendy), and two beloved grandsons, Jesse Preston and William. 

Mark Easley

Mark Easley has dedicated much of his professional life to coaching, mentoring, and developing student-athletes, building a distinguished career in collegiate tennis.

A native of Vardaman, Mississippi, Easley spent 20 years at Jones College, serving in several roles, including head tennis coach, head soccer coach, mathematics instructor, and Dean of Students, before retiring in 2019.

As head coach of the men's and women's tennis programs, Easley led his teams to Mississippi Association of Community and Junior Colleges (MACJC) Conference and NJCAA Region 23 championships. His teams made 17 appearances at the NJCAA National Tournament, finishing among the nation's Top 25 each year. He also coached numerous conference and regional singles and doubles champions, along with All-Conference and All-Region players.

His coaching accomplishments earned him five MACJC Coach of the Year honors, five Mississippi Association of Coaches Coach of the Year awards, two NJCAA Region 23 Coach of the Year awards, and the prestigious 2015 Wilson/ITA Region 3 National Coach of the Year recognition.

Easley's achievements have also been recognized through induction into several halls of fame, including the Jones College Athletic Hall of Fame, Delta State University Athletic Hall of Fame, and NJCAA Women's Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame.

Since retiring from Jones College, Easley has remained actively involved in tennis as a USTA and Intercollegiate Tennis Association official, working junior, collegiate, and national championship events.

While his competitive accomplishments are extensive, Easley considers the relationships he has built and the influence he has had on his players to be among his greatest rewards.

"Tennis has played a huge role in my life. It has taken me places that a country boy from Vardaman could never have imagined...I grew to where I never discussed wins and losses. I wanted my players to compete the right way, give great effort, be mentally tough, and enjoy the process...let the winning and losing take care of itself. I wanted them to know that how they play and compete would carry over into their lives after college."

— Mark Easley

His coaching philosophy emphasized lessons that extend well beyond the tennis court, preparing student-athletes to approach life's challenges with character, perseverance, and integrity.

Easley and his wife of 41 years, Melody, are proud parents of three children—Katie Shores (Aaron), Lauryn Doggett (Brody), and Daniel—and doting grandparents to Norah, Grayson, and Caleb Shores.

Celebrating a Lasting Impact on Mississippi Tennis

Although their paths in tennis have been different, Brady and Easley share a commitment to the sport and the people who play it.

Through organizational leadership, coaching, mentorship, and service, both have contributed to the growth and success of tennis in Mississippi while leaving a lasting influence on the tennis community.

The Tennis Foundation of Mississippi proudly congratulates Ann Brady and Mark Easley on their induction into the Mississippi Tennis Hall of Fame and recognizes their outstanding contributions to the sport.

Both will be formally inducted at the Mississippi Tennis Hall of Fame Banquet on Saturday, January 30, 2027 at River Hills Club.

Registration and reservations for the banquet are now open.

To support the inductees and purchase tickets, please go to: www.tinyurl.com/HOFRegistration2027.