Helen "Kelly" Tibbitts

"Kelly", as she was known to most of us, was given the title "MISS BADMINTON" or "BADMINTON'S GOODWILL AMBASSADOR".   Badminton was her constant companion; her enthusiasm for the game never waned.   She was always there for the sport - a book of knowledge and she could have written the "History of Badminton" with all the statistics at her fingertips.  She was an athlete, a leader, a mentor and a volunteer.   She was there to help out with any activity for badminton - could always be counted on when needed.  For some 40 years, she was the cornerstone for the Southern California Badminton Association.

Kelly won the U.S. Mixed doubles title 2 times - 1952 & 1971 and the U.S. Nationals Doubles title in 1968.  She was a U.S. Uber Cup Team member from 1957 - 68 and played on the 1966 Devlin Cup Team.

In 1961, USA Badminton awarded her the Kenneth R. Davidson Memorial Sportsmanship Award.   Later in 1968, Pasadena Badminton Club inducted her into the Pasadena Badminton "Hall of Fame"... and in 1971 U.S. Badminton inducted her into the USA Badminton "Hall of Fame"...only to be followed by another honor; IBF honored her and presented her the 1986 IBF Meritorious Service Award.

I think the following quote from Kelly sums up her love and devotion to the sport of badminton.   She states, "My throat gets a lump trying to explain to myself the love I have for the sport.   I have spent more years with badminton than with anything except my family.  It has taken me to places I hadn't been.   I have been lucky enough to develop friendships all over the world through our common interest in badminton.   My life would have been very different without this fine sport, and I am grateful to have been a champion."  Indeed, we too, are grateful to have had Kelly so long... USA Badminton honors Kelly into the "WALK OF FAME" PLAZA.