Hall of Fame
It has been fifty years since Jeanne Arth ('56) retired from playing professional tennis, yet even today her accomplishments as a pioneer in women's athletics are legendary. Arth retired with three National titles, two US Open Titles, and one Wimbeldon title. While she is easily the most decorated female tennis athlete in Minnesota history, it would be no stretch to say that Arth is the most well-accomplished small-college athlete, male or female, to ever compete in the state of Minnesota. That is why it is only only fitting that she be the first person ever inducted into the College of St. Catherine Athletic Hall of Fame.
Arth was born in St. Paul and starting playing tennis at an early age with her sister at the St. Paul Tennis Club. She attended St. Paul Central High School before coming to the College of St. Catherine in the fall of 1952 at the age of 17. When Jeanne enrolled at St. Kate's she was ranked fourth in the nation for juniors (under the age of 18) singles tennis and second in the nation for juniors doubles tennis. While at St. Kate's Arth continued to polish her game and dominate the local and national tennis scene. As a St. Kate's student-athlete Arth won three straight doubles titles (1954-1956) at the National College Girls' Tournament. She was also the national singles runner-up three times at this prestigious national event.
After graduating from the College of St. Catherine in 1956 with her teaching degree, Arth began working full-time while still maintaining her tennis career. In the spring of 1957 she joined the international tennis circuit. Despite playing full-time for only four months while balancing her teaching load, she attained a No. 7 national ranking. In 1958, Arth and her doubles partner Darlene Hard entered the U.S. Open championship as an unseeded team. They ended the tournament with an amazing three-set match victory over the top-seeded doubles team of tennis legends Aletha Gibson and Maria Bueno.
Though Arth says that her 1958 U.S. Open victory is the biggest thrill in her tennis career, 1959 provided plenty of lasting memories for her as well. That year Arth and Hard successfully defended their U.S. Open doubles titles before going on to win the doubles championships at the world renowned Wimbledon tennis championship on the All England Club's famed center court.
After this astounding run, while still at the top of her game, Arth retired from the professional tennis circuit and devoted herself to working with students. From 1956-1976 Arth was a physical education teacher and from 1976-1993 she was a high school guidance counselor. She was also very active in the St. Kate's community and was on the alumnae association's Board of Directors from 1997-2000.
Since retiring from playing in 1959 Jeanne Arth's list of accolades include:
1979 induction into the Minnesota Tennis Hall of Fame
1986 induction into the Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame
1990 induction into the Wilson International Tennis Hall of Fame
2000 named by Sports Illustrated as one of the Top 50 athletes in the state of Minnesota
2002 induction into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Hall of Fame
