John
******
John,
Another incredible experience that we owe to Dick Crawford who was the one who set this up. He was a very persuasive guy: I mean, this was like calling up Michael Jordan and saying, “Hey, I’ve got a couple of young basketball players and we’re going to be in Chicago for a couple of days. How about getting together and playing a little one-on-one or H-O-R-S-E with them?” Plus, VN was such an eccentric, he NEVER hit or practiced with ANYONE, let alone a couple of college hacks (at the time, anyway)…..
(Although, during his few years at Berkeley, he could be seen on one of the 5 courts at Harmon Gym with graduate student, and a fair player Barbara Hendrickon. - John)
Thanks for the article on VN. Quite a character. See attachment for some blurry photos of when I played against him at the Harvard Club in NYC (I don’t remember who the terrible photographer was). As a special favor to Dick, and our team from Cal, which was traveling for the first time to the National Intercollegiate Tournament at Williams College, he agreed to let me and Ted Gross onto the court with him. Members of the Harvard Club who were there that night couldn’t believe Niederhoffer was hitting with anyone; he was always seen on the court only by himself, solo. They asked, “Are you guys pros?” Not exactly. Ha!
I don’t remember much of the play (tending to block out memories of inadequate performances), but I do remember, quite vividly, what happened afterwards. The Harvard Club, as you know, is one of those staid, old, classy, east coast clubs. After we finished, VN wanted to host us for a drink in the Club bar. Talk about traditional: there were big game trophies on the wall with plaques reading “Shot by Teddy Roosevelt.” I’m talking elephants and rhinos. It was dark with dark wood paneling, you know the drill. They did have a rule that Members were required to wear ties in the bar. So VN, in his sweatsuit, sneakers, and sweaty squash clothes, looped a tie around his neck and proceeded into the bar with us. We sat there with him for about a half-hour, he was drinking orange juice, I think. We probably had beer. Never mind that most of us weren’t of drinking age yet. We talked about squash, Cal, whatever. He seemed a bit eccentric, but he was sure a friendly and considerate host for us, a few college-squash vagabonds from the West Coast. So whatever anyone else says about the guy, he is alright with me. What an experience!
A few comments about the photos;
1- He’s hard-serving me!
2- He’s thinking about how he’s going to humiliate me with a hard serve.
3- Look at me, in front of the T, getting in his way. I know I have quirky feet, but what kind of footwork is that?
4- Shaking hands with a legend.
5- Me retrieving and moving so fast that I am a blur! Nice crossover step, though.
6- Me seizing the T and pushing him back. I do look a little frightened, though!
I’m sure he would never remember that night, but I sure do. It ranks right up there with Ed Dold’s and my 5-game doubles win over Tom Poor and Sharif Khan (who, of course, was probably in his mid-fifties at the time). Hey, a win is a win. I think I am 1-1 lifetime with Sharif!
Thanks again for sending the article.
Cheers!
Kris Surano
******
John,
A couple things that I remember from that 'interesting' experience, meeting and getting to play a few games with Victor Niederhoffer:
Naturally we get there late, like an hour and a half at least, since we're coming in from Long Island--and we all know about Dick's sense of time.
So Niederhoffer is on the court hitting by himself, looking a little ticked off, and I scramble and get changed as fast as possible. I asked Kris later what Niederhoffer was practicing and Kris said, "that same dinky drop shit you're always working on."
Then we start and he hard serves me right out of the gate, and keeps it up the whole time. It was a lot of fun, and he stopped play a couple times to make an instructional point to us. One of those was where he was explaining the spins of the ball on the three-wall, and he spun around himself to demonstrate them.
Then we switch and Kris goes out there, fearless, and starts crushing the forehand. Very entertaining couple games! Afterward Niederhoffer did say to Dick it was surprising we'd gotten as good as we had, being from a club program in California. He did add: 'if only Ted and Kris could somehow combine their games.'
Then he took us downstairs and got us beverages and food in the famous big Harvard Club room, and we sat around. After a while you could see his mind going somewhere else, and it was obvious he wasn't real comfortable in this kind of social situation--but he was a great host, he left a lasting impression (to say the least) and clearly was showing respect to Dick for helping him get back into the sport when he spent those couple years at Cal.
Ted Gross
******
While during my last visit with Dick, I happened to glance into his office which had a sticker affixed on the file cabinet behind where he was sitting:
That's our coach!
John Lau
******
Kris & Ted -
Very much enjoyed your tales of playing squash with Victor N.
I remember hearing about that back when it happened, but reading your recounting of that day brought it back in great detail, clarity and humor!
I once played in the 2nd flight of the Harry Cowles tournament (can't remember what that division was called) (John Jacobs Division named after another great coach at Harvard - John) at the Harvard Club and I do remember the stuffed heads of rather large animals mounted on the walls of the lounge there. (I remember when I played in the tourney one year in the 35+ Barnaby Division. For the dinner that was hosted by the club on Saturday night, sushi was offered. Testimonials were given throughout the evening among the Harvard greats in attendance. A pleasant memory. - John)
My wife, Lauren had a major cleanup going on in our place today that involved yours truly. Going thru a box of odds and ends I found a very nice gold-plated A.T. Cross pen with the USSRA logo attached and the inscription "USSRA Nationals 1979." I can't remember the last time I saw or used that pen.
Right now the pen does not work, but I think I will send it back to the company to be repaired. Some memories are worth keeping alive.
Best,
David Tepper
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