Indoor Tennis....A Northbrook First......

globill · August 7th, 2007, 07:10 PM

Jerry Schneider, 87, Pioneer of Indoor Tennis, Dies

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By NEW YORK TIMES REGIONAL NEWSPAPERS
Published: August 7, 2007

LONGBOAT KEY, Fla., Aug. 6 — Jerry Schneider, a developer and promoter of indoor tennis, died here July 18. He was 87.
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The cause was lung cancer, his family said.

Schneider built what is said to have been the nation’s first indoor tennis facility, in a Chicago suburb in 1961.

In 1969, Schneider became the first president of the Indoor Tennis Association. He played the game well into his 80s, when he won two national doubles titles in the Senior Olympics.

Like many tennis players, Schneider did not like forgoing the sport during the harsh Midwest winters. Armories and gymnasiums were occasionally set up for tennis, but Schneider wanted to build an indoor tennis facility with a pro shop, locker room and other amenities for dues-paying members and operate it like a health club.

“He went to banks for financial backing and then he went to his personal friends, and everybody thought he was crazy,” said his daughter, Marlon Barden of Highland Park, Ill.

He eventually persuaded his father to put up the money to start the venture. The cushioned asphalt floors and indoor lighting were designed specifically for the four indoor courts.

Before long, the North Shore Racquet Club in Northbrook, Ill., doubled the number of its courts and added a sauna and exercise room.

“He preceded the tennis boom of the ’60s and ’70s,” said his friend Asher Birnbaum, the founder and former editor of Tennis magazine, which once called Schneider “the father of modern indoor tennis.”

Schneider sold the club in 1972 and lived briefly in California before moving to Longboat Key in 1975.

Born April 26, 1920, in Chicago, Schneider was a lifelong athlete.

A track standout in high school and college, he began playing tennis after serving in the Army Air Forces during World War II.

More than 50 years later, he won national doubles titles in the Senior Olympics, in the 80-and-over men’s division in 2003 and the 85-and-over division in 2005.

While visiting Florida regularly after his parents bought a home in St. Petersburg in 1950, Schneider took up tarpon fishing and competed in tournaments well into his 80s.

In addition to his daughter, Schneider is survived by a son, Blake of Argyle, Wis.; his former wife, Joy Schneider of Evanston, Ill.; his companion, Darlene Collins of Longboat Key; and a granddaughter.
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nomarandlee · August 7th, 2007, 07:49 PM

Pretty cool. I took tennis lessons there when I was younger for a bit and never knew it was the first.

August 7th, 2007, 07:10 PM	#1
globill Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: I'm going to Washington to serve the people of this country. Posts: 1,771 Likes (Received): 0	Indoor Tennis....A Northbrook First...... Jerry Schneider, 87, Pioneer of Indoor Tennis, Dies Article Tools Sponsored By By NEW YORK TIMES REGIONAL NEWSPAPERS Published: August 7, 2007 LONGBOAT KEY, Fla., Aug. 6 — Jerry Schneider, a developer and promoter of indoor tennis, died here July 18. He was 87. Skip to next paragraph Men * Scoreboard * Results/Schedule * Money Leaders Women * Scoreboard * Results/Schedule * Money Leaders The cause was lung cancer, his family said. Schneider built what is said to have been the nation’s first indoor tennis facility, in a Chicago suburb in 1961. In 1969, Schneider became the first president of the Indoor Tennis Association. He played the game well into his 80s, when he won two national doubles titles in the Senior Olympics. Like many tennis players, Schneider did not like forgoing the sport during the harsh Midwest winters. Armories and gymnasiums were occasionally set up for tennis, but Schneider wanted to build an indoor tennis facility with a pro shop, locker room and other amenities for dues-paying members and operate it like a health club. “He went to banks for financial backing and then he went to his personal friends, and everybody thought he was crazy,” said his daughter, Marlon Barden of Highland Park, Ill. He eventually persuaded his father to put up the money to start the venture. The cushioned asphalt floors and indoor lighting were designed specifically for the four indoor courts. Before long, the North Shore Racquet Club in Northbrook, Ill., doubled the number of its courts and added a sauna and exercise room. “He preceded the tennis boom of the ’60s and ’70s,” said his friend Asher Birnbaum, the founder and former editor of Tennis magazine, which once called Schneider “the father of modern indoor tennis.” Schneider sold the club in 1972 and lived briefly in California before moving to Longboat Key in 1975. Born April 26, 1920, in Chicago, Schneider was a lifelong athlete. A track standout in high school and college, he began playing tennis after serving in the Army Air Forces during World War II. More than 50 years later, he won national doubles titles in the Senior Olympics, in the 80-and-over men’s division in 2003 and the 85-and-over division in 2005. While visiting Florida regularly after his parents bought a home in St. Petersburg in 1950, Schneider took up tarpon fishing and competed in tournaments well into his 80s. In addition to his daughter, Schneider is survived by a son, Blake of Argyle, Wis.; his former wife, Joy Schneider of Evanston, Ill.; his companion, Darlene Collins of Longboat Key; and a granddaughter. Next Article in Sports (12 of 26) » Explore TimesSelect with a no-risk 14-da __________________ "in my little opinion it does matter what fairy tales some small time senator says to get elected, how fast he drops his associates that may harm him, and what is really behind it." nygirl "I told you what I thought about that when I said I do not trust Obama and I probably never will. He hasnn't proven anything to me or you yet but he has flapped his lips plenty. And that I guess, is enough for some of you smarties in here." nygirl

August 7th, 2007, 07:49 PM	#2
nomarandlee My Mind Has Left My Body Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: 1060 W. Addison, City by the Lake Posts: 7,120 Likes (Received): 126	Pretty cool. I took tennis lessons there when I was younger for a bit and never knew it was the first. __________________ -young middle-class lad or lass who feels elated by thinking that he or she has covered all aspects of politics and religion with the help of a few lectures by a certified conspiracy crank or by watching a straight-to-YouTube ‘documentary’. - Nadeem F. Paracha Its the buddhist in you, it's the pagan in me. Its the muslim in him, she's catholic aint she? Its the born again look it's the wasp and the jew Tell me what's goin on, I aint gotta clue - Jimmy Buffett

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