Robert L. Witt

Robert L. Witt came to Freed-Hardeman as a student in 1929 and returned in 1943 as a member of the faculty and head of the intramural program. His duties during the ensuing years ranged from coach to teacher (of many subjects) and from athletic director to dean of students. He served Christian education for more than thirty years.

As a student in 1929-31, he played on the basketball team and was captain his last year. He told about a game lost to Memphis State by only three points. "We had a coach that would take us out if we shot the basketball with one hand or took our feet off the floor," he said.

Following a hiatus caused by World War II, FHC re-entered athletic competition in 1950 with Witt as tennis and basketball coach and athletic director. He guided the tennis team for the next 24 years and never suffered a losing season. His teams posted a 141-69 won-lost record, twenty winning seasons and four at the break-even point.

A 1973 finish at 25th in the nation after tournament competition at Ocala, Fla., was the highlight of his coaching career, he said. He had come close to the national tournament several other times. The 1971 team was runner-up in the state tournament, his '72 team won the state and placed second in the regionals and finally, his '73 team won the regionals and a trip to the national tournament.

When Witt gave up the helm of the tennis program in 1975, he left a strong program. As participants in the Volunteer State Athletic Conference, FHC continued to rule the Western Division. Today, in the Tennessee College Athletic Conference, the men's tennis program is still a strong contender. The legacy lingers on.