Temple University Athletics
Temple Mourns Passing of Hall of Famer Joy Valderrama Abbott
2.18.20 | Women's Tennis
PHILADELPHIA - Temple University mourns the loss of one of its Athletics Hall of Famers with the passing of women's tennis great Joy Valderrama Abbott. She was 88.
Mrs. Valderrama Abbott was undefeated in women's tennis singles and doubles at Temple, while also serving as captain of the team. She won the Eastern Intercollegiate Singles Championship in 1951 and played singles and doubles on the Junior Wightman Cup team from 1948-52.
A member of the Sears Middle States tennis team, Mrs. Valderrama Abbott was a doubles champion in the Pennsylvania Grass Courts Tournament in 1949 and a doubles champion in the Middle States Grass Courts in 1950. She was a singles champion in Eastern Clay Courts in 1952.
In 1948, the Wahiawa, Hawaii native held the title of Hawaiian Junior Champion in singles and doubles. She played hockey for two years and was on the swim team for three years at Temple. She also served as referee and tournament director of several amateur tournaments in Philadelphia and for Federation Cup.
The Miami Herald wrote a detailed on obituary on Mrs. Valderrama Abbott. Click here to read.
Mrs. Valderrama Abbott was undefeated in women's tennis singles and doubles at Temple, while also serving as captain of the team. She won the Eastern Intercollegiate Singles Championship in 1951 and played singles and doubles on the Junior Wightman Cup team from 1948-52.
A member of the Sears Middle States tennis team, Mrs. Valderrama Abbott was a doubles champion in the Pennsylvania Grass Courts Tournament in 1949 and a doubles champion in the Middle States Grass Courts in 1950. She was a singles champion in Eastern Clay Courts in 1952.
In 1948, the Wahiawa, Hawaii native held the title of Hawaiian Junior Champion in singles and doubles. She played hockey for two years and was on the swim team for three years at Temple. She also served as referee and tournament director of several amateur tournaments in Philadelphia and for Federation Cup.
The Miami Herald wrote a detailed on obituary on Mrs. Valderrama Abbott. Click here to read.
Ep. 32: Faculty Athletics Representative & Temple Professor Dr. Elizabeth Taylor
Friday, January 23
Ep. 31: Gymnastics Student-Athlete Megan White
Tuesday, January 20
2026 Fencing Philadelphia Invitational - Strip 3
Saturday, January 17
2026 Fencing Philadelphia Invitational - Strip 2
Saturday, January 17
