I just returned from London with another wonderful memory of the All England Lawn Tennis Championships. While watching a story on the local San Antonio TV station, I learned that Chuck McKinley, a Trinity University student, won the 1963 Wimbledon Championship Game. As a 9-year-old, I used to play with my brother using a basic racket until I earned enough money from cutting lawns to buy my own. Watching Wimbledon has always been a joy for me every year. The history of these Championships and Center Court has always held a special place in my heart, particularly after my visits in 1995 when I was living in London in the '90s. This year, going there again with my best friend, Silvia, was truly a highlight of my visit. Notably, Chuck McKinley arrived in San Antonio in 1960 and joined Trinity University. Although he lost to Rod Laver in the 1961 Men's Singles Championship, he returned in both 1962 and '63, during which he did not lose a set in the tournament.
In the early 60's Trinity had the best tennis program in the country but never won the NCAA championships because they were scheduled at the same time as Wimbledon, and they opted to go there instead. Chuck McKinley winning in 63 and being runner up (to Rod Laver) in 61 justified this decision. Trinity would eventually participate in the NCAA's, being runner up in 70 and 71 before breaking through to win their only division 1 title in 1972.
I just returned from London with another wonderful memory of the All England Lawn Tennis Championships. While watching a story on the local San Antonio TV station, I learned that Chuck McKinley, a Trinity University student, won the 1963 Wimbledon Championship Game. As a 9-year-old, I used to play with my brother using a basic racket until I earned enough money from cutting lawns to buy my own. Watching Wimbledon has always been a joy for me every year. The history of these Championships and Center Court has always held a special place in my heart, particularly after my visits in 1995 when I was living in London in the '90s. This year, going there again with my best friend, Silvia, was truly a highlight of my visit. Notably, Chuck McKinley arrived in San Antonio in 1960 and joined Trinity University. Although he lost to Rod Laver in the 1961 Men's Singles Championship, he returned in both 1962 and '63, during which he did not lose a set in the tournament.
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Fred Stolle must have been one of the best players never to win Wimbledon, losing in the final for three straight years in the sixties.
In the early 60's Trinity had the best tennis program in the country but never won the NCAA championships because they were scheduled at the same time as Wimbledon, and they opted to go there instead. Chuck McKinley winning in 63 and being runner up (to Rod Laver) in 61 justified this decision.
Trinity would eventually participate in the NCAA's, being runner up in 70 and 71 before breaking through to win their only division 1 title in 1972.