Leading the way as both a player and a coach, Chuck Evert ’47 was the cornerstone of the most prosperous era in the history of the North Central College men’s tennis program.
After graduating from Senn High School in Chicago in 1937, Evert enrolled at North Central in 1940 and came under the tutelage of coach Irvin Keeler, who was also a mathematics professor and future life trustee of the College. During the 1941 season, Evert posted a 9-2 singles record and teamed with Bob Dexheimer ’41 to finish 8-2 in doubles.
In 1942, Evert posted a perfect 11-0 singles record and went 10-0 with doubles partner Ed Eberhardt ’42, winning the Illinois Collegiate Conference (ICC) championships in singles and doubles as North Central won its first conference title. Evert and Eberhardt would go on to win a district championship in doubles as well. In addition to his athletic pursuits, Evert was actively involved in the Sigma Tau Delta and Pi Gamma Mu honor societies, as well as the Writers’ Club and Commerce Club at North Central.
Like many North Central men, Evert was called into military service in February 1943 as the United States’ involvement in World War II beckoned. He returned to North Central in 1946 once his duties were complete and served as a player-coach for the 1947 season.
Evert led the Cardinals to a 9-1 record in dual matches in his newfound role and again claimed the ICC titles in singles and doubles (with Don Haas ’48) as North Central won the team championship. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in physical education, Evert continued to coach the team through the 1950 season while attending law school at Northwestern University.
He received his law degree from Northwestern in 1950 and relocated to Columbus, Ga., where he practiced law for more than 50 years and he and his wife Ruth raised their five children, Constance, Kathy, Barbara, Janice and Michael.
Evert was part of a renowned family in the sport of tennis. His brothers, Jack and James, were well-known junior tennis players in the Chicago area. James became a professional tennis coach in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and his daughter, Chris Evert, would go on to win 18 Grand Slam singles titles and post the best singles win-loss record of any professional player in tennis history.
Chuck Evert passed away Aug. 29, 2001, at the age of 81.
