P r e s i d e n t ’ s C o u n C i l


Tony Scolnick, MS ’64, DPE ’68 By Claire Burns


‘Springfield College Was My Shangri La,’ Says Manhattan Tennis Club Founder


“Ifa person can walk onto a tennis court, I can teach them to play,” says Tony Scolnick with the verve that has characterized his 50-year career as a physical educator, coach, college athletics director and—for the past 35 years— founder, owner and operator of three of Manhattan’s premier full-service tennis clubs. His enthusiasm for a life fully engaged


in athletics—intellectually, physically, and passionately—grew from his youth basketball days in Bayonne, N.J., “a sports town,” he says. As an undergraduate at Amherst College, he was a basketball guard, a top-ranked tennis player and an All-America in soccer. “When I told my coaches, most of whom were Springfield College graduates, that I wanted a career in coaching, they said, ‘there’s only one place to go.’ So, I came to spend six of the best years of my life at Springfield College—my Shangri la—associating with some of the most outstanding people in their fields, who were also great human beings,” he says. Studying for his master’s and doctoral degrees in physical


Steitz organized. Scolnick has enjoyed that team’s reunions every three to five years, including at its induction into the New England Basketball Hall of Fame this past June. Although he left a piece of his heart in


Springfield, Scolnick went on to a 25- year career at Hunter College as a teacher, coach, and athletics director. He takes great satisfaction in knowing that hundreds of his students became teachers in New York City. After deciding to retire early from


Tony Scolnick


education, Scolnick landed a graduate assistantship with the iconic basketball coach Ed Steitz, g’48, DPE’63. Having been a biology major at Amherst, he made up undergraduate skills courses under such legendary coaches as Archie Allen ’37, g’49 (baseball), Ted Dunn g’47 (football), Red Silvia ’34, g’40 (swimming), Vern Cox ’44, g’49 (track), Tom Hay (volleyball), Frank Wolcott ’52, g’60 (gymnastics), Irv Schmid ’43, g’50 (soccer), Doug Parker ’51, g’58 (wrestling), and Ed Bilik ’57, g’62 (basket- ball/golf). But from Steitz—his teacher, mentor and friend—he learned the lessons that he credits for his lifelong success. “I watched how someone who was successful operated, how


he related to others, and how he dealt with people,” says Scolnick. He worked most closely with Steitz during the Springfield College basketball team’s 1965 world tour, which


Hunter, Scolnick turned his full-time attention to his tennis clubs. With keen customer focus, he situated them in prime locations at Sutton Place, grand Central Station, and Yorkville. Widely regarded as New York’s premier tennis clubs, they offer the option of reserving a court on a regular basis—a luxury in the city. With almost 100 employees, the clubs feature a full range of tennis lessons, drills, flexible or fixed clinics, cardio tennis, match play, and video analysis. There are two full-service pro


“I came to spend six of the best years of my life at


Springfield College—my Shangri La—associating with some of the most


outstanding people in their fields, who were also great human beings”


shops and one gymnasium with state-of-the-art fitness equip- ment. Not surprisingly, Scolnick’s clubs offer youth programs. He notes that experts consider tennis the best first sport for children because its array of skill sets cross over to other sports. The gentlemanly 72-year-old athlete


notes that his “retirement job” keeps him on call 24/7—for which Springfield College trained him well. “Many times over the years, I’ve wondered why I ever left Springfield College—but, I’m at home in New York City doing what I love. Every day, I put on sneakers and shorts and continue to exercise,” he says.


Scolnick’s decision to donate to the College is rooted in more


than nostalgia. He admires the College’s historic emphasis on educating future leaders who value a balanced and healthy lifestyle, that it continues to attract conscientious young people, and that it is the same friendly place that was his Shangri la.1


Office of Development, 263 Alden Street, Springfield, Mass. 01109 (413) 748-3124 or (800) 622-6072 TRIANGLE 1 Vol . 84, No. 3 17


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48