Plans are set in place for a new indoor tennis facility lead by John DeVoe, Walter Kuhn Jr. and Richard Tinkham Jr. John and Richard also helped in the founding of the Indiana Pacers in 1967.
Who We Are
1965 - Present
Home | Who We Are
More Than Just a Club
A gravel pit was once visible across 86th Street. There were no hints of condominiums or houses, no signs of restaurants or bookstores. The area has had noticeable change since the Indianapolis Racquet Club opened on October 22, 1965. IRC has changed right along with it. As
new structures were rising in the area, IRC was becoming the breeding ground for top junior players. Over the past 50+ years, IRC has expanded its four court facility located at 8249 Dean Road to 16 indoor courts.
The late John DeVoe, who also founded the Indiana Pacers, persuaded two other area businessmen, Walter Kuhn Jr. and Richard Tinkham, to join him in investing in the club. DeVoe’s idea became a reality when he enticed 12 more future shareholders to partake in what was going to be an enormous leap forward for the Indianapolis tennis community. Ed Brune, who earned his law degree from the University of Cincinnati and was a four-year U.C. varsity player, became the first indoor tennis pro at the first indoor tennis club in Indiana. The club’s first expansion came in 1969, when two more courts were added and its second pro, Prem Gupta, came aboard. IRC’s membership quickly grew and a need for more courts and pros became evident. In 1972 another indoor tennis club was built on the east side of Indianapolis, known then as the Northeast Tennis Club. IRC purchased the club in the late seventies and it is now called IRC East, the “sister” club.
Hundreds of junior locally and nationally ranked players have developed through IRC’s Junior Premier & High Performance Program which has produced such junior stars as Ginny Purdy, Todd Witsken, Shawn Foltz, Jane Holdren, and Stephanie Reece.
Club Newsletter
We invite you to take a look at the history of The Indianapolis Racquet Club through this interactive timeline, from its inception to the present day. IRC continues to serve the heart of tennis in central Indiana with its ever growing community of over 3,200 members.
History
1964
Two time US Nationals Champion and former world no. 8, John F. Hennessey is named chairman of the advisory committee for IRC.
1965
At its grand opening, IRC had four indoor courts and 200 members ready for the inaugural tennis season.
1967
IRC draws top tennis stars with the likes of Arthur Ashe, Stan Smith, Thomas Koch and Luis Arilla for a two day Davis Cup style tournament.
1969
The club’s first expansion began with two additional courts as well as hiring its second pro, Prem Gupta, to work alongside Club Manager Ed Brune. Four more expansions would take place over the next couple of years.
1974
From 1974 to 1978, IRC had the privilege of hosting the US Men & Women’s Clay Court Championships. Tennis legends Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, Arthur Ashe and Chris Evert would make multiple appearances.
1978
1981
1983
IRC would host the Virginia Slims Tournament from 1983 to 1992. This tournament would eventually become the WTA Tour as we know it today all thanks to the hard work and dedication of the Original 9.
2002
2004
2006
Sometime in December of 2006, IRC would make the difficult decision to sell the outdoor clay courts.
2015
IRC Pro Shop is awarded The Pro/Specialty Retailer of the Year Award by Tennis Industry Association.
On October 24, 2015, IRC would celebrate its 50th Anniversary with various events such as pro exhibitions, free adult & junior clinics, skill competitions and much more.
2019
2021
In 2021, the IRC Hall of Fame is established and IRC Pro Prem Gupta would become the first recipient.
2023
Major improvements are planned to improve the experience of club members. Such as locker room and lobby renovations as well as on court climate control.
2024
Indiana Fever player Erica Wheeler would host a pickleball charity event at IRC East with fellow teammates Caitlin Clark & Lexie Hull making appearances.
The final phase of the renovations is complete. Along with a new entrance and lobby, IRC Dean has a new coat of paint and landscaping to match.
2025
On February 7, the Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Association (IHSTeCA) would host it’s 33rd annual Hall of Fame ceremony. Among the inductees of 2025 would be IRC’s own Jeff Rodefeld.
Beginning in late August, plans to resurface all eight courts at East Club begin
On Sept. 22, IRC East would open back up for tennis & pickleball after the court resurfacing
Indiana High School Tennis Hall of Fame
Over the years, the Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Association (IHSTECA) has recognized individuals who have had a major impact on high school tennis in Indiana. Many of the recipients have come from IRC:
| Byron Buckley (North Central Coach) - 1992 | Barbara Wynne (Indianapolis Contributor) - 1992 | Sharon Rosenburg (Carmel Coach) - 1993 | P.A. Nilhagen (Indianapolis Contributor) - 1994 | Kurt Freudenthal (Indianapolis Contributor) - 1995 |
| Michael Smart (North Central Player) - 1997 | Sally Lugar (Indianapolis Contributor) - 1999 | Jill Patterson-Holvoet (North Central Player) - 1999 | Sheila Evans (North Central Coach) - 2001 | Sean Buck (North Central Player) - 2001 |
| Courtney Lord Schwab (Brebeuf Player) - 2002 | Ginny Purdy Paskoff (North Central Player) - 2003 | Jane Klingaman (North Central Player) - 2004 | Marion Rice (Indianapolis Contributor) - 2005 | David Bastian (North Central Player) - 2005 |
| Carrie Meyer Richardson (North Central Player) - 2005 | Brenda Hacker Freije (Homestead Player) - 2007 | Stephanie Reece (North Central Player) - 2008 | Kevin McCallum (North Central Player) - 2008 | David McCallum (North Central Player) - 2008 |
| Dave Heffern (Park Tudor/Fishers Coach) - 2009 | Stan Malles Jr. (Avon Coach) - 2011 | Brian Fennerty (North Central Player) - 2011 | Andrea Calvert Sanders (Greenwood Player/Contributor) - 2011 | Holyn Lord Koch (Carmel/Brebeuf Player) - 2012 |
| Ron Mencias (Roncalli Player) - 2013 | Kevin Gregory (Ben Davis Player) - 2013 | Steve Wakefield (Sacred Heart Contributor) - 2014 | Michael Hopkinson (Southport/North Central Player) - 2014 | Dr. David Held (North Central Player) - 2016 |
| Troy Hahn (North Central Player) - 2017 | Dan McNally (Bishop Chatard Player) - 2018 | Katie Martzolf (Carroll/North Central Player) - 2022 | Brandon Gill (Park Tudor Coach) - 2024 | Jeff Rodefeld - 2025 |