UIC Athletics

Sport: Women's Tennis Coach

Years: 1995-2001

Inducted: 2015

For 17-consecutive years, the UIC women's tennis team reigned as conference champions, giving them the longest streak in any sport in NCAA history, and Coach Fennema was the one who started it. In her first year with the Flames, she guided the team to an 11-6 spring record, including a 4-2 Midwest Collegiate Conference record and a second-place finish. The winning streak began in her second year (1996-97), when Fennema led the Flames to a 15-9 overall record and UIC's first ever MCC title. She won MCC Coach of the Year during her first season and third season (1997-98), when the Flames earned their first-ever national ranking. Fennema compiled a 54-37 record and took UIC to the NCAA Regionals for the first time in 1999.

Sport: Women's Tennis

Years: 1996-1999

Inducted: 2005

One of the greatest tennis players in UIC history, Jackson left a huge mark on the program during her four-year career on the courts. Jackson was the first player in UIC history to amass 80-plus victories in both singles and doubles action. Her 81 singles wins ranked as the third-best victory total in school history, while her 80 doubles wins was the second-most ever at UIC. The Elk Grove, Ill., native was a four-time All-Midwestern Collegiate Conference honoree and the 1996 MCC Newcomer of the Year, helping UIC capture three MCC titles and earn the program's first-ever berth to the NCAA Tournament in 1999. Jackson's leadership and talent helped pave the way for UIC's current streak of nine consecutive league championships and seven straight NCAA bids.

Despite having her life cut tragically short in a vehicle accident in 2002, Jackson's spirit remains well-remembered at UIC. The Sara Jackson Memorial Scholarship was established to honor the life of Sara and is awarded annually to the UIC women's tennis player who best epitomizes the character that Sara displayed not only at UIC, but throughout her life.

Sport: Women's Tennis

Years: 2008-2012

Inducted: 2019

Kazakhstan native, Mariya Kovaleva, was the number one competitor for the Federation Cup in 2005, 2006, and 2007 before coming to UIC in 2008.  During her time at UIC, Kovaleva was honored as Horizon League Player of the Year four years in a row and was undefeated in Horizon League individual play with 37 career conference wins. Kovaleva is first all-time at UIC with 94 doubles wins and is tied for most doubles wins in a single season with 27.

She became the winningest player in UIC history in singles (92) and doubles (94) during the 2011-2012 season.

Sport: Women's Tennis

Years: 1999-2003

Inducted: 2009

As the only two-time conference Player of the Year honoree in women's tennis history, Derouin-Livingston guided her squad to four straight league championships and an NCAA tournament appearance every season of her career. Livingston left a deep impression on the team, as she ranked second all-time in career singles wins with 82 victories and in third in doubles 78.

Sport: Women's Basketball, Tennis

Years: 1975-1979

Inducted: 1991

Thomas recorded 1,065 rebounds during her four year campaign at UIC. Thomas had UIC's second best single season rebound mark at the time with 363 during 1976-77. Thomas was named co-captain her junior year and captain her senior year. She accumulated 1,211 career points and 403 field goals. On the tennis court, Thomas held the number two spot in singles and played on the number one doubles team. After her career at UIC, Thomas went on to play for the Chicago Hustle of the Women's Professional Basketball League for more than two years.