Amateur Athletics: Tennis

Tennis was one of the original Olympic games from 1896-1924 and re-instituted in 1988.

Men’s Tennis 1952-1956

“Their streak, unmatched before or since in University athletic annals, began May 10, 1952, with a win against the Seattle University Chieftains.  Four years later, on May 19, 1956, coach Mike Tichy’s Pilot men’s tennis team lost a match (to Seattle).  Between those two May days the men won 79 consecutive matches and went 17-0 in 1953, 22-0 in 1954, 18-0 in 1955, and 18-1 in 1956, that one loss being the killer on the very last day of the season.  In any sport, a mammoth streak like the Pilots’ record run is fueled by a mysterious combination of talent, skill, hard work, perseverance, good coaching, and a vast eagerness to seize every opportunity to win.”  (from University of Portland Athletic Hall of Banquet Program, Thursday, June 22, 1995)

Photo gallery: click on image to enlarge

p.s. shameless promotion.  The story of Coaches Bill Rose and Mike Tichy, the Streak, and players such as Jim Flynn are told delightfully in the book, The Magnus Factor: The Bill Rose Story, Rise to One, by Mike Wittmayer, ’69.  Available at the Pilot House Bookstore!