40 - Love

That time you made your high school tennis team, but ...

A) Was not quite good enough to get an official uniform.

B) Did not get the memo about wearing the team shirt.

C) Got the memo, but couldn't care less about a dress code.

(Note: Somehow, I did manage to get a varsity letter in tennis.)

Note from Bob Strine (back row, second from left) …

I still have that picture hanging on one of our walls. I think we had a good time playing a sport that had been discontinued at SHS, and we were the first class to bring it back. I remember the first meeting, the coach (Herd) showed up with a tennis magazine and opened it to the article on “How to grip the racquet.” I’m still playing today, once my knee recovers.

My reply:

Bob, we did indeed have fun that year. If I remember correctly, you were pretty darn good. I, on the other hand, owned a tennis racquet for no apparent reason. I didn’t play in many matches (other than practice), but I do recall competing at Peoria Richwoods. I believe I lost 6-0, 6-1. I think my right-handed opponent decided to play one game left-handed, and I barely squeaked out a win. I also recall I was asked to go on that road trip because it was the same day as our prom, and Coach Herd knew I couldn’t possibly have a date. He was right, of course. I was too afraid to have a real conversation with a girl, let alone ask her out. Ah, the memories. I cherish my time at SHS and vividly recall how I ended my aspiration to be a great tennis player by burning my wooden racket. I’m also proud to say that I eventually overcame my fear of girls … sort of.