Inducted 2002. Four-Time Qualifier for State Tennis Tournament. Class of 1982.
Tennis was a huge part of Monica (Briddle) Hinkamper’s life when she was a small child, and now as the manager and director of tennis at the Quincy Racquet Club since 1992, it still is.
Hinkamper, a 1982 graduate, started her tennis success at age 14 when she won the Women’s City tennis tournament, and she repeated that title at age 15. She played for the Middle Illinois Tennis Association’s Jr. Whightman and Jr. Federation Cup teams for two years each, and she led the MITA team to the Federation Cup title. At QND, she was named the most valuable player on the girls tennis team in her sophomore, junior and senior years, and she was a four-time qualifier for the state tournament. Hinkamper did not lose a match during the regular season of her senior year.
She earned a scholarship to Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. She qualified for the NCAA Division II national tournament as a freshman and a sophomore, and she earned Academic All-American honors in 1984. She transferred to Sangamon State University and qualified for the NAIA national tournament, finishing in the top 20 in singles and doubles.
Hinkamper was an assistant tennis pro at the Springfield Racquet Club for four years and was a tennis pro at Illini Country Club before returning to Quincy. She has worked at the Quincy Racquet Club since 1988. She is a USPTA certified tennis teaching professional, she has been a master racquet technician since 1994 and a member of the Wilson Advisory Staff for 10 years. In 2000, she received the YWCA Women of Achievement Caren Kemner Sports Award. Monica lives in Quincy with her husband, Ric, and their children Ashley and Ian.
I’d like to thank the QND Hall of Fame Committee for this honor. This is just another great example of “Raider Pride.” A special thanks goes to my parents, Charles and Carolyn Briddle, for instilling a strong faith in God and for always encouraging and supporting my desire to achieve in tennis. They taught me perseverance in life. Thanks to my brother, Dave, who trained and coached me in Decatur during the summers of my high school career. He enhanced the spirit of competition and excellence within me. And many thanks to my favorite fan, Grandpa Bernard Kemner. He attended every home high school match and numerous city tournaments. My grandfather taught me humility — win with grace and lose with grace. These people and lessons of love I cherish every day. Thanks for aiding in my success in life.