whoknew
Footballguy
Or maybe you have. But I hadn't. I guess that's a very Trumpian title.
But more importantly, congratulations Kalamazoo College.
Kalamazoo tennis goes streaking — 79 years and counting
It’s arguably the most dominant college athletics program in the country.
And, unless you’re from Kalamazoo, and maybe even if you are, you could guess and guess and guess — let’s say, oh, for the next 79 years — and come up completely empty.
With a 9-0 victory over Adrian on Wednesday, the Kalamazoo College men’s tennis team clinched at least a share of its 79th consecutive conference championship.
You read that right. Seventy-nine.
The last time Kalamazoo didn’t win the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title in men’s tennis — outside of 1944-46, when nobody played due to World War II — it was 1935, Franklin D. Roosevelt was in his first term as president (he would serve into a fourth), the “Wizard of Oz” hadn’t even been shot yet, Bobby Riggs hadn’t yet won Wimbledon, and the average person’s salary was $1,500.
Today, one year of classes at Kalamazoo College today will cost you about $55,000.
“When people hear about ‘The Streak,’ ” said coach Mark Riley, “they think they’re hearing things. Because it is kind of crazy.”
On the campus of Kalamazoo College, a private, Division III university, they talk about “The Streak” as a proper noun. And with good reason.
There’s never been anything like it in the history of college athletics.
And with a win Saturday over visiting Albion, Kalamazoo will have clinched the outright championship, which is the ultimate goal every year — certainly not a share. That’s why after winning Wednesday, the celebration was subdued. Riley doused his seniors with water from a Gatorade bottle, and the team went to dinner at the Crow’s Nest in Kalamazoo.
“It was pretty low-key,” Riley said.
Storied history
In 1931, Dr. Allen B. Stowe, a chemistry professor and the chairman of the college’s chemistry department, started the tennis program at Kalamazoo.
And boy, did he find the right formula for success.
Kalamazoo won MIAA titles in 1931, 1932 and 1933, came up short the next two years, and haven’t come up short since — for the rest of his 27-year tenure, George Acker’s 35-year tenure, Timon Corwin’s 14-year tenure, and Riley’s 10 years as the fourth coach in the program’s storied history.
In all but three of those years, Kalamazoo won the conference outright. It shared with Hope in 1962 and 2003, and with Hope and Calvin in 2013.
“ ‘The Streak’ is a big part of the culture,’” said Eric De Witt, a senior from the Lansing area. “And there’s always pressure, no matter who’s on the other side of the net.
“Clinching No. 79, I think we all feel that weight lifted.
“It’s something that all the players and all the teammates take great pride in holding up.”
Aside from the 79-year title streak, there are other ridiculous numbers. For instance, Kalamazoo College has lost just three conference dual matches since 1935. It also has participated in every Division III NCAA Tournament, which started in 1976.
The Hornets have won seven national championships (most recently in 1993), finished runner-up three times, and finished third nine times.
But more importantly, congratulations Kalamazoo College.
Kalamazoo tennis goes streaking — 79 years and counting
It’s arguably the most dominant college athletics program in the country.
And, unless you’re from Kalamazoo, and maybe even if you are, you could guess and guess and guess — let’s say, oh, for the next 79 years — and come up completely empty.
With a 9-0 victory over Adrian on Wednesday, the Kalamazoo College men’s tennis team clinched at least a share of its 79th consecutive conference championship.
You read that right. Seventy-nine.
The last time Kalamazoo didn’t win the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association title in men’s tennis — outside of 1944-46, when nobody played due to World War II — it was 1935, Franklin D. Roosevelt was in his first term as president (he would serve into a fourth), the “Wizard of Oz” hadn’t even been shot yet, Bobby Riggs hadn’t yet won Wimbledon, and the average person’s salary was $1,500.
Today, one year of classes at Kalamazoo College today will cost you about $55,000.
“When people hear about ‘The Streak,’ ” said coach Mark Riley, “they think they’re hearing things. Because it is kind of crazy.”
On the campus of Kalamazoo College, a private, Division III university, they talk about “The Streak” as a proper noun. And with good reason.
There’s never been anything like it in the history of college athletics.
And with a win Saturday over visiting Albion, Kalamazoo will have clinched the outright championship, which is the ultimate goal every year — certainly not a share. That’s why after winning Wednesday, the celebration was subdued. Riley doused his seniors with water from a Gatorade bottle, and the team went to dinner at the Crow’s Nest in Kalamazoo.
“It was pretty low-key,” Riley said.
Storied history
In 1931, Dr. Allen B. Stowe, a chemistry professor and the chairman of the college’s chemistry department, started the tennis program at Kalamazoo.
And boy, did he find the right formula for success.
Kalamazoo won MIAA titles in 1931, 1932 and 1933, came up short the next two years, and haven’t come up short since — for the rest of his 27-year tenure, George Acker’s 35-year tenure, Timon Corwin’s 14-year tenure, and Riley’s 10 years as the fourth coach in the program’s storied history.
In all but three of those years, Kalamazoo won the conference outright. It shared with Hope in 1962 and 2003, and with Hope and Calvin in 2013.
“ ‘The Streak’ is a big part of the culture,’” said Eric De Witt, a senior from the Lansing area. “And there’s always pressure, no matter who’s on the other side of the net.
“Clinching No. 79, I think we all feel that weight lifted.
“It’s something that all the players and all the teammates take great pride in holding up.”
Aside from the 79-year title streak, there are other ridiculous numbers. For instance, Kalamazoo College has lost just three conference dual matches since 1935. It also has participated in every Division III NCAA Tournament, which started in 1976.
The Hornets have won seven national championships (most recently in 1993), finished runner-up three times, and finished third nine times.
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