On this day in history, Blue Devils win 1956 conference tennis title

MENOMONIE (May 19, 2021) - On this day in history, the Stout State men's tennis team captured the Wisconsin State University (WSU) team title in La Crosse, May 19, 1956. Not only did the Blue Devils take the team title, but Tom Miller also captured the singles championship.

The crown marked the first of Stout's eventual men's tennis championships, but it would not be until 1983 before the Blue Devils would capture the WSUC crown. The Blue Devils were a powerhouse in the 1980s. The 1983 crown was the first of five consecutive team titles for the Blue Devils under coach Bob Smith. 

Miller was the first of Stout's individual No. 1 singles champions. Lee Couilliard won the individual title in 1981 and his brother Ty Coulliard in 1984. Rob Oertel won the 1985 WSUC No. 1 singles title and John Leehy won the 1987 title. Oertel and Mike Friedman won the 1986 No. 1 doubles title. 

Following are stories that appeared in the Stoutonia, the Stout student newspaper, and the Tower, the university's yearbook.


TENNIS TEAM CAPTURES STATE CHAMPIONSHIP
May 25, 1956 issue of The Stoutonia

Last Saturday afternoon at La Crosse, the Stout tennis team took first place in the state tennis tournament. They also took the bi-state title, the previous week in a meet at St. Cloud, Minn.

The teams Stout played and beat were Stevens Point, Eau Claire and Winona; they lost to St. Cloud.

The players on the team are: Tom Miller, Hank Moerschel, student coach Jim Olds, Tom Tsuji, Dick Johnson, Conrad Mlynarek, and Vern Christensen.

In the state tournament, Tom Miller won the singles championship. He also won the bi-state title. Stout's doubles team won their matches at the bi-state.

It is indeed an honor to have champions on our campus and the school is proud of such a team. Congratulations on a swell season fellows

TENNIS
1957 issue of The Tower

The tennis team, coached by Jim Olds, had a successful season last spring by capturing the bi-state title and winning the state championship. Representing Stout on the tennis courts were: Jim Olds, Tom Miller, Tom Tsuji, Vern Christensen, Hank Moerschel, Conrad Mlynerek and Dick Johnson.

The teams Stout played and beat were Stevens Point, Eau Claire and Winona. Stout lost to St. Cloud.

Tom Miller won the Wisconsin State College tennis singles championship at the finals in La Crosse by virtue of his vicotry over Stauber of Milwaukee. Miller captured the title by beating Stauber 6-1, 6-2. Olds reached the semifinals before losing. In his battle for third place, Olds was defeated by Wethe of La Crosse, 7-5, 2-6, 3-6.

On their march to the finald, Stout's doubles team, Vern Christensen and Tom Tsuji, drew a first round bye and then lost to Whitewater and La Crosse.

A first place finish was worth five points, second place three points, and third place one point. In team scoring, Stout scored five points. Stout can be well proud of the 1956 tennis team and the trophies it won for Stout.