Jane Manson was contacted by then Head Barton Tennis Coach Marc Walters after sending a video to the Bulldogs’ mentor.

“Coach (Walters) spoke warmly and highly of the college and the tennis program,” said Manson.  “After my own research, the athlete training program at Barton sealed the deal for me.”

“I was coming to the United States at 16 years old so it was really important to be at a college that would provide more personalized support, not be too big and feel welcoming.  Barton certainly provided this.”

Manson became one of the most decorated women’s tennis players in Bulldogs’ history.  Manson was a four-time All-CVAC honoree (2002-05) and was named to the CVAC All-Time Women’s Tennis Team.

Manson won over 200 matches both as a singles and doubles competitor and led Barton to an 85-26 record (35-6 in conference play) and both the CVAC Regular Season and Tournament Championships in 2004.

Manson was also a four-time ITA All-Academic Team honoree and won the Kiwanis Award in 2004-05, recognized as Barton’s female athlete of the year.

Manson remembers the 2004 CVAC Tournament Championship fondly, a win over Lees-McRae on the road:  “Coach (Gary) Hall and all our of parents came out to support.  The match went down to the last rubber which was my match.  It was against a girl I had played a few times previously but never beaten and I managed to win in three sets.  Definitely one of the best feelings!”

“Coming from the U.K. at 16 was daunting but the tennis team accepted me straight into their family and through them I have made friends for life,” added Manson.

Manson, a 2005 graduate of Barton, currently resides in Sheffield, England.  Manson returned home to earn a degree in physiotherapy and achieved a master’s degree in clinical research. 

Manson has worked in hospitals and rehabilitation units and recently began studying for a PhD investigating models of community palliative rehabilitation.