Serving Success: From the Tennis World to the Corporate World

When it comes to describing Louise Allen ’84, the list of accolades is as impressive as it is diverse: All-American, NCAA champion, hall-of-famer, corporate executive, and mom. But these titles only begin to scratch the surface of her remarkable story.

Hailing from North Carolina, Allen’s journey to Trinity University began with a recommendation from Wake Forest tennis coach Jim Leighton. A campus visit sealed the deal, and Allen arrived at Trinity ready to pursue a degree in marketing and management.

However, her talent on the tennis court quickly set her apart.

At Trinity, Allen didn’t just play tennis—she dominated. Competing on the international circuit as an amateur, she played in all four Grand Slam tournaments and reached a professional singles ranking of No. 65 in the world. In addition to her collegiate and professional success, Allen somehow found time to participate in every intramural sport with her Tiger teammates, embodying a love for competition and camaraderie.

Over her four years at Trinity, Allen built an incredible legacy.

She earned All-America honors each season she played, achieved an outstanding singles record of 115-11, and remained undefeated in singles and doubles on her home courts—now known as the Al G. Hill Jr. Tennis Stadium. In 1984, she capped off her collegiate career by receiving the Broderick Award, honoring her as the nation’s College Tennis Player of the Year.

One of her most memorable accomplishments came in 1983 when she and teammate Gretchen Rush ’86 captured the NCAA Doubles Championship. Later that year, the duo won a gold medal for the United States at the Pan American Games.

“Winning the NCAAs in doubles was clearly a highlight in my tennis life,” Allen reflects. “I never lost a match at home, which I’m pretty proud of. I was able to travel the world and play against some of the best players of my generation, including Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, and Billie Jean King.”

Led by the legendary former head coach Emilie Foster ’69, the Tigers twice reached the national collegiate team finals during Allen’s time at Trinity. Her contributions on the court have earned her numerous honors, including induction into the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame, the Trinity Athletics Hall of Fame, and most recently, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Women’s Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame in 2022.

But Allen’s success didn’t end when she hung up her racket. After a stellar tennis career, she seamlessly transitioned into the corporate world, working in various management positions for software companies before joining Planview, Inc. in Austin, Texas, where she has been the chief product officer since 2021.

“Working in product management is very similar to sports in that you’re constantly strategizing to beat the competition,” Allen says. “It requires quick thinking, adaptability, and the same dedication that drives success on the court.”

For Allen, success is not confined to a single arena. Whether she’s leading in the boardroom or competing on the court, her journey proves that hard work, determination, and a passion for excellence can take you to the top.