The only question surrounding Jim Schwitters’ induction into the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Hall of Fame Wednesday is, well, what took so long?
"I’m just surprised that he’s not already in there," said Rosie (Vera Cruz) Bareis, who starred for Schwitters at the University of Hawaii (1981-84).
The ITA, which oversees college tennis, will hold its ceremonies at Baylor University, site of the NCAA Men’s and Women’s National Championships.
Of course, it was probably just a matter of time since the 77-year-old Schwitters, who taught and coached tennis at UH for 40 years, is in six other Halls of Fame, including the U.S. Professional Tennis Association Hall of Fame, the Hawaii Sports Hall of Fame and the UH Circle of Honor.
"Because this award comes so late in my life — 12 years after retirement — I feel it is as great as a lifetime achievement award made even more special to be honored along with so many of my mentors and colleagues, past and present," Schwitters said.
When he retired in 2003, after 38 years as UH men’s head coach, Schwitters was the winningest men’s coach in NCAA history at 819-409-8 and remained so for almost six years. He was the head women’s coach at UH for 26 years, going 508-201-7.
He also taught fundamentals of tennis to more than 14,000 students in classes at UH and Kapiolani Community College in addition to ‘Iolani and Maryknoll. Schwitters, an accomplished player, still plays.
Schwitters did not plan to stay at UH so long.
"I was hoping to retire earlier than I did, but in coaching I wanted to stay with some of my teams because of their motivation and desire to be together until they graduated. So, being a ‘lifer’ was not so much a choice as it was a gift."
For all the wins, Bareis and others say they valued the way he coached and the opportunities he provided.
"You had to let your racket do your talking. And he opened the way for a lot of local players to go to college," said Bareis, a Kailua graduate.
"When he teaches, it’s seeing someone develop skills for a lifetime, whether for social interaction, competition or a career," said his wife, Rosemary.
That enshrinement will take place at the NCAA Championships, where one of Bareis’ proteges, Mackenzie McDonald of UCLA, will be playing, is fitting. Bareis said, "Jim Schwitters has influenced so many over the years."
