Still Going Strong: Former Charger Tennis Captain John Scott, ’72, Continues to Play the Game He Loves
Written by Doug Goodnough
John Scott, ’72, said he never had a chance to play a match of high school tennis because he wasn’t good enough to crack his team’s lineup.
So when he transferred to Hillsdale College and decided to try out for the tennis team, he didn’t know what to expect. He found out he was pretty good. Scott eventually became the number one singles and doubles player for the Chargers and had a chance to perform against some of the best college competition in Michigan, including Central Michigan and Ferris State.
“I had taken tennis lessons when was 11 or 12 years old, but I hadn’t done a lot with it,” said Scott, who grew up in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. “After I got to Hillsdale, I said, ‘Let’s give this another go.’ I made the team.”
In fact, he served as team captain his senior year and had a strong showing in the NAIA state tournament.
“You had to play a crazy amount of matches,” Scott said of the state tournament. “On the first day, I had to play six singles matches and three doubles matches.”
After qualifying for the doubles finals, Scott and partner Joe Eisert, ’74, lost a grueling three-set match to a pair of Army veteran brothers from Ferris State.
He said he enjoyed his Hillsdale experience living in Galloway Hall, and he was a regular at nearby Sammy’s sub shop. An avid participant in intramural sports, Scott recalls some pickup football games against Hillsdale legendary kicker Chester Marcol, ’71.
An education major, Scott said he had a great student teaching experience at nearby Reading Community Schools before having a nearly 33-year career teaching elementary students for Cleveland Municipal Schools.
His love of tennis continued past college as he competed in the U.S. Tennis Association until the age of 65. The 73-year-old retired grandfather brought his racket to Hillsdale’s 50/60 Year Reunion in April of 2022, hoping for the chance to use it.
Scott was able to volley with the Chargers’ number one singles player, Brennan Cimpeanu, ’24, before practice in the Biermann Athletic Center. He showed off his skills, including a flair for the dramatic: he hit a between-the-legs winner to end the exhibition. Scott said it was one of the highlights of the week.
“It’s a sport for a lifetime,” said Scott, who resides with his wife, Michelle, in Shaker Heights, Ohio. “I still enjoy playing doubles recreationally. I’m still going.”
Doug Goodnough, ’90, is Hillsdale’s director of Alumni Marketing. He enjoys connecting with fellow alumni in new and wonderful ways.
Published in March 2023