Javelina Hall of Fame
Margaret Johnson Canby, who played intramural tennis while at Texas College of Arts and Industries and is known on the international tennis circuit, will be inducted into the Javelina Hall of Fame Feb. 1 in the Memorial Student Union Building ballrooms.
Canby, who will turn 80 this month, participates in United States Tennis Association events and has represented the USA in International Tennis Federation World Tennis events.
In September she will be in Croatia to play in the 2012 International Tennis Federation Doris Hart Cup event, representing the U.S.
She recently won the National USTA Women’s Hardcourt championships in June at La Jolla, Calif., and the National USTA 80 Women’s Grass Court Championship at Forest Hills in New York, N.Y.
Canby didn’t lose a set in taking the most recent title.
Canby, who attended San Antonio Alamo Heights High School, has long been a leader in the San Antonio Tennis Association, running tennis leagues, helping junior tennis, serving as chair of the league committees and serving on the group’s board of directors.
Her college intramural play and participation in club tennis led her to involvement with the USTA in 1985 after her children were grown.
She is married to Dr. John Canby, a medical doctor who is also a leader in San Antonio tennis leagues. He captained a mixed doubles national championship.
The couple volunteers at local hospitals along with their involvement in San Antonio tennis leagues and programs.
Canby plays tennis six days a week and plays twice daily when preparing for a tournament.
When asked why she and her husband volunteer to give so much of their time to tennis, she said, “Tennis has been such a joy to me that I think I can help others to enjoy it. Then I am giving a little back to the sport that has given so much to me. I hope I can play tennis as long as I live.”
They are the parents of three.
John is a graduate is a graduate of West Point and a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserves. He works for the Corps of Engineers in New York, doing environmental engineering.
Daughter Charlee is a graduate of the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and a captain in the Naval Reserves.
Son Robert is an electro physiologist, a cardiologist who primarily inserts pacemakers. His practice is in Austin.
With a son who graduated from West Point and a daughter who graduated from the Naval Academy, Canby says she and her husband face a dilemma each year with the two service academies meet in football.
Canby received a bachelor of science degree from Texas A&I in 1954 and taught at San Antonio Sam Houston High School and Longfellow Junior High School in San Antonio in 1955 and 1946.
While in college, she won intramural championships in swimming, tennis, basketball, softball and volleyball.
She was the drum majorette for the Javelina band in 1950-54 and was president of Baugh Hill.
Canby also served as president of the Association of Women Students.
