University of San Francisco Athletics

Head Coach: George Kraft
Overall Record: 12-0   
Team Members: Conway Catton, Bill Green, Art Larsen, Don Lowenbein, Sam Match, Harry Roche, Frank Sample
USF Hall-of-Famers: Conway Catton, Art Larsen, Sam Match

1949 proved to be the pinnacle of USF’s tennis power under coach George Kraft. During the regular season, the Dons team, which included powerhouses Art Larsen, Sam Match and Harry Roche were the only unbeaten team in the country as they defeated 12 opponents along the way. This marked the first time that a USF tennis team swept through a schedule without a blemish. Along the way, Larsen captured the Northern California Intercollegiate Singles title, and Match won the Ojai Valley title.

The team then went on to record the highest point total to win the NCAA championship tournament held at the University of Texas. Rollins, Tulane and Washington all shared the runner-up spot. In singles, Match claimed the runner-up position behind Jack Tuero of Tulane, and Match and Larsen grabbed the runner-up position in the doubles final beating James Brink and Fred Fisher of Washington 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.

Did You Know? The 1949 Tennis team won the national championship despite the fact they didn’t have any home courts to practice on. To this day, the USF tennis teams have survived without home courts as they have practiced at various locations throughout the City over the years.