Eugene L. Scott

Eugene L. Scott, 1937 - 2006

The passing of Tennis Week founder and publisher Eugene L. Scott has prompted an outpouring of love, support, condolences and tributes from Scott's friends, colleagues and readers.

Obituary (The New York Times)

If you'd like to post a tribute, please submit it here.

Ann Koger, Head Tennis Coach Haverford College
I am so very sorry to hear of another great tennis icon passing on.

Eugene was a great person, sensitive to all tennis communities. He truly promoted the game for which he loved.

He was a man of integrity. He also had a great sense of humor.

He was especially a friend to the African American tennis community.

He will be remembered as one of the great ones.

Ann Koger
Head Coach Women's Tennis
Associate Director of Athletics
Haverford College
Jim Westhall - friend, former tournament director Volvo International
Losing Gene Scott is like losing "The Old Man In The Mountains."

Both are irreplaceable. Here are a few words on how I feel:

Gene Scott was truly an icon in the game of tennis. His voice will be sorely missed.

If tennis had elected a commissioner he would have been the ideal candidate. A man who was willing to rock the boat for the benefit of the game.

Jim Westhall
Meg Meurer Brossy
A titan, an icon, graceful, elegant, eloquent, and a handsome devil to boot. That is Gene Scott. I had the pleasure to know Gene throughout my tennis playing and sports marketing career but I really want to write about Gene as a husband, a father and a friend. When he and Polly met and began to date, I saw a softened and loving man, a man who had met his mate for life. He and his young bride were a team, on and off the court. They respected each other as professionals, as individuals, as best friends with a deep and obvious love for one another. Whether it was on a court in New York or in the Bahama's or feeding ducks off of a dock in Madison, CT, Gene glowed being with Polly, Lucy and Sam. At the end of the day, Gene's tennis talents and contribution to the sport of tennis will likely be unmatched. Yet as a man, as a friend, as a husband to Polly, and as a father to Lucy and Sam, he certainly is unmatched in my book. He will be missed by so many people. His family was everything to him. Here's to you Gene. We will all miss you dearly.
Suzi Petkovski, Tennis Week Contributing Writer
Dear Tennis Week friends,

Gene Scott's passing comes as a shock, and a blow to the tennis family. For decades, Gene's Vantage Point column was compulsory reading for anyone who wanted the state of play in the game. We were fortunate to have Gene shine his searchlight intelligence over so many aspects of tennis for as long as he did. To borrow from Australian football, he was an ornament to the game.

Suzi Petkovski
Tennis Week Contributing Writer
Melbourne, Australia

Ron Woods - President, USPTA
Gene will be greatly missed by the entire tennis family. He was a dear
friend to the United States Professional Tennis Association and the USPTA membership wishes to extend our condolences to the entire Scott family.

His candid editorials regarding the tennis industry provoked common sense thinking and suggestions to growing and administering the game of today.

His insightful reporting and unique writing style will be sorely missed by all as it conveyed his great love for the game and his desire to see it flourish.

Ron Woods
President
United States Professional Tennis Association

Joe Stahl
Like the pillar of smoke and the cloud that went before the Israelites in the desert during the Exodus, like the illuminated spirit-spout that led the ship Pequod on at night in Moby Dick, Gene was the pilot fish that led me into tennis writing and editing, and then the stabilizing anchor in my orientation to everything else in the game. Though I might momentarily look down on him for misspelling a word, I permanently looked up to him in every essential way, as to a big brother. Now I feel lost without him. He was a beacon on the storm-tossed shore of all the controversies in tennis, and the light has gone out. I have felt worse and worse ever day since he died. I am numb with pain, and my eyes are wet for him, for me, for everyone. Our leader is gone, and Lord Tennyson’s lines of sad resignation come to mind:

The woods decay, the woods decay and fall,
Man comes and tills the earth, and lies beneath,
And after many a summer dies the swan.

Joe Stahl, Tennis Week Curator and Editor-at-Large
June Harrison - friend, tennis photographer
Gene, you will be remembered by all of us who knew you.
When needing to rally for greater reason and a bigger perspective, I hope we would each ask ourselves "What would Gene say and then do?"
Some will then of course, do the exact opposite...
But your voice will be heard true as always. Sorrow-filled and stunningly sad for your family, the world of tennis, the world.

With affection,
June Harrison, Tennis Photographer and a 30-year friend.
Peace.

USTWA Officers Liza Horan, Peter Francesconi, Jim Martz, Mark Winters, Bob Larson and Andre Christopher
The words "terrible", "shock" and "sadness" are being exchanged on emails and phone calls among Gene's fellow members of the U.S. Tennis Writers' Association. He has always supported the organization as a member, and done more for tennis journalism than the group itself.
His passing is the sport's loss, and our prayers especially are with Polly, Lucy, Sam and the rest of his family.
Eddie Gonzalez-former USTA employee, current USTA volunteer
My deepest condolences to the Scott family & TennisWeek family as well. As a former USTA employee with the Southern section, Gene was always accessible for me to share various marketing/sales ideas. Gene was a true visionary & I speak on behalf of thousands of tennis players across the world, that we Always looked forward to his thought-provoking "Vantage Point." Gene Scott will be missed but Never forgotten..........
Don Lang - ProKennex/National Sales Mgr.
I was stunned to hear of Gene Scott's passing. The first major tennis event I ever attended as a kid was Orange Lawn where Gene was a fixture leading up to Forest Hills. Tennis Week has been the industry journal of record since its inception and Gene's voice in Vantage Point added some semblance of stability/sanity to the disjointed world of international tennis. Last summer I had the opportunity to watch Gene play an event at Manursing Island Club in Rye, NY. Still smooth as ever. Heartfelt prayers go out to his wife and children from the Lang Family.
Alan Chalmers, Press Steward at Wimbledon
I was profoundly distressed to hear of the sudden death of my friend Gene Scott. I had known him as a regular first week attender at the Championships fo 30 years; he always went home early to celebrate 4th July with his beloved family. Not only a consumate Lawn Tennis player, he also excelled at the far more complex game of Court Tennis and was US champion multiple times. We talked so much about our common interests of Court Tennis and tennis literature. I know his untimely death has robbed the game and his multitude of freinds workd-wide of a truly irreplaceable tennis character.
William Patterson, III
I will always remember Gene as a thoughtful, kind, and generous person. His strength and love for Tennis, business, and family will forever have an impact my family.
Mark M. Mayers
Gene's walk through life was saddly so short, but in his time, he accomplished so much. He will long be remembered as a man above most men. I share his loss with his family and his ever so many firends.
Vinh Do - Tennis Instructor
I only knew Gene as a journalist through his column. That was enough for me to feel that the world of tennis has lost someone who could inspire an individual, organization or an event to do the right things for the game. Recently, he worte about all the little people in tennis that made a difference. It challenged me to do a better job in my tennis profession. He has inspired my thoughts so often that I feel as though I loss a mentor. Thank you Gene for your inspiration and you will be greatly missed.
Mary Ann Benack - Tennis Week Staffer
I cannot believe Gene is no longer with us. It was only at the US Open that I last saw him and he was so vibrant and passionate. I will miss him dearly. I am so grateful to Gene for offering me my very 1st job out of college. I spent 4+ wonderful years learning and growing at Tennis Week which led the way for everything that has followed in my life. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from such an intelligent and passionate man. I have so many great stories that I will always cherish. One of my favorites is how Gene offered me the job at Tennis Week. After an amazing 6 week internship, he offered me a full-time position but it was contingent on me partnering with him in mixed double to beat another team. Talk about pressure - I mean he was world-renowned and who was I? Well, suffice it to say even Gene couldn't carry me on the tennis court that day, but fortunately for me he was still kind enough to offer me the opportunity. I will be forever grateful that life changing moment. Gene - I will miss you so very much, thank you for everything. Polly, Lucy, Sam - my heart goes out to you.
Tom Kosinski, Sports Central
I will miss Mr. Scott more then words can say. His love of the game was second to none. He was always willing to take a stand for what was right and good for tennis, even when it wasn't popular and he knew it would place him at odds with the governing bodies of the sport.

With his passing the sport of tennis will now have a permanent hole that no one will ever be able to fill. Fortunately Mr. Scott will never truly be gone, as he left us Tennis Week, with its exceptional writing and cutting edge commentary, a publication of the highest caliber, great integrity and character and professional standard. All the qualities of Mr. Scott himself.

God Bless, Mr.Scott and his family.

Tom Kosinski
www.sports-central.org
George Vecsey
Having covered Gene in his prime as a player,when he was a home-town story for Newsday, I had the feeling he would always be there -- spotting me at one of my irregular visits to tennis, catching me up, and dropping an opinion and a quote on me, that would somehow be exactly what I needed for the next column. I know of his vast work in tennis -- I knew him as a generous presence. I'll miss him at my next foray back to tennis. I miss him now.
John Yandell, Advanced Tennis Research
Tennis has lost it's greatest independent voice. Few people in tennis or anywhere have had his combination of vision, intelligence, and passion. You wonder if any one or even any combination of persons will ever again fill that role.

Gene's support made a big difference in the early stages of our work in high speed filming. I have always felt grateful to him for that and heard of his passing with great sadness. It's hard to believe that someone that alive and vital is really gone. Rest in peace my friend.

John F. Murray, Sport Psychologist
A tremendous leader has left us, but his spirit and lessons will never perish. I was honored unbelieveably last year when Tennis Week asked me to write a guest column on tearing down the walls of ignorance surrounding mental coaching and sport psychology. Gene was obviously the genius behind one of the best magazines ever. He cared deeply and always spoke out courageously.
Gene Mayer
Gene Scott was a role model for every aspiring tennis player in the New York area. Gene was impassioned about his education, other sports, playing tennis, the tennis business, and his journalistic endeavors. He took Vitas Gerulaitis and me under his wing during our teenage years. The three of us practiced together for many years when Vitas and I should have been ballboying.
Gene was often controversial, but never with the purpose of being controversial. He said what he believed and never wavered in that belief. In this age of being politically correct, Gene spoke the truth as he saw it. His vocabulary was legendary and his articles often required the use of a dictionary to fully understand them.
Gene Scott's perspective and candor will be missed by all in the tennis world and beyond. My heart goes out to his family.
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Ann Koger, Head Tennis Coach Haverford College I am so very sorry to hear of another great tennis icon passing on. Eugene was a great person, sensitive to all tennis communities. He truly promoted the game for which he loved. He was a man of integrity. He also had a great sense of humor. He was especially a friend to the African American tennis community. He will be remembered as one of the great ones. Ann Koger Head Coach Women's Tennis Associate Director of Athletics Haverford College
Jim Westhall - friend, former tournament director Volvo International Losing Gene Scott is like losing "The Old Man In The Mountains." Both are irreplaceable. Here are a few words on how I feel: Gene Scott was truly an icon in the game of tennis. His voice will be sorely missed. If tennis had elected a commissioner he would have been the ideal candidate. A man who was willing to rock the boat for the benefit of the game. Jim Westhall
Meg Meurer Brossy A titan, an icon, graceful, elegant, eloquent, and a handsome devil to boot. That is Gene Scott. I had the pleasure to know Gene throughout my tennis playing and sports marketing career but I really want to write about Gene as a husband, a father and a friend. When he and Polly met and began to date, I saw a softened and loving man, a man who had met his mate for life. He and his young bride were a team, on and off the court. They respected each other as professionals, as individuals, as best friends with a deep and obvious love for one another. Whether it was on a court in New York or in the Bahama's or feeding ducks off of a dock in Madison, CT, Gene glowed being with Polly, Lucy and Sam. At the end of the day, Gene's tennis talents and contribution to the sport of tennis will likely be unmatched. Yet as a man, as a friend, as a husband to Polly, and as a father to Lucy and Sam, he certainly is unmatched in my book. He will be missed by so many people. His family was everything to him. Here's to you Gene. We will all miss you dearly.
Suzi Petkovski, Tennis Week Contributing Writer Dear Tennis Week friends, Gene Scott's passing comes as a shock, and a blow to the tennis family. For decades, Gene's Vantage Point column was compulsory reading for anyone who wanted the state of play in the game. We were fortunate to have Gene shine his searchlight intelligence over so many aspects of tennis for as long as he did. To borrow from Australian football, he was an ornament to the game. Suzi Petkovski Tennis Week Contributing Writer Melbourne, Australia
Ron Woods - President, USPTA Gene will be greatly missed by the entire tennis family. He was a dear friend to the United States Professional Tennis Association and the USPTA membership wishes to extend our condolences to the entire Scott family. His candid editorials regarding the tennis industry provoked common sense thinking and suggestions to growing and administering the game of today. His insightful reporting and unique writing style will be sorely missed by all as it conveyed his great love for the game and his desire to see it flourish. Ron Woods President United States Professional Tennis Association
Joe Stahl Like the pillar of smoke and the cloud that went before the Israelites in the desert during the Exodus, like the illuminated spirit-spout that led the ship Pequod on at night in Moby Dick, Gene was the pilot fish that led me into tennis writing and editing, and then the stabilizing anchor in my orientation to everything else in the game. Though I might momentarily look down on him for misspelling a word, I permanently looked up to him in every essential way, as to a big brother. Now I feel lost without him. He was a beacon on the storm-tossed shore of all the controversies in tennis, and the light has gone out. I have felt worse and worse ever day since he died. I am numb with pain, and my eyes are wet for him, for me, for everyone. Our leader is gone, and Lord Tennyson’s lines of sad resignation come to mind: The woods decay, the woods decay and fall, Man comes and tills the earth, and lies beneath, And after many a summer dies the swan. Joe Stahl, Tennis Week Curator and Editor-at-Large
June Harrison - friend, tennis photographer Gene, you will be remembered by all of us who knew you. When needing to rally for greater reason and a bigger perspective, I hope we would each ask ourselves "What would Gene say and then do?" Some will then of course, do the exact opposite... But your voice will be heard true as always. Sorrow-filled and stunningly sad for your family, the world of tennis, the world. With affection, June Harrison, Tennis Photographer and a 30-year friend. Peace.
USTWA Officers Liza Horan, Peter Francesconi, Jim Martz, Mark Winters, Bob Larson and Andre Christopher The words "terrible", "shock" and "sadness" are being exchanged on emails and phone calls among Gene's fellow members of the U.S. Tennis Writers' Association. He has always supported the organization as a member, and done more for tennis journalism than the group itself. His passing is the sport's loss, and our prayers especially are with Polly, Lucy, Sam and the rest of his family.
Eddie Gonzalez-former USTA employee, current USTA volunteer My deepest condolences to the Scott family & TennisWeek family as well. As a former USTA employee with the Southern section, Gene was always accessible for me to share various marketing/sales ideas. Gene was a true visionary & I speak on behalf of thousands of tennis players across the world, that we Always looked forward to his thought-provoking "Vantage Point." Gene Scott will be missed but Never forgotten..........
Don Lang - ProKennex/National Sales Mgr. I was stunned to hear of Gene Scott's passing. The first major tennis event I ever attended as a kid was Orange Lawn where Gene was a fixture leading up to Forest Hills. Tennis Week has been the industry journal of record since its inception and Gene's voice in Vantage Point added some semblance of stability/sanity to the disjointed world of international tennis. Last summer I had the opportunity to watch Gene play an event at Manursing Island Club in Rye, NY. Still smooth as ever. Heartfelt prayers go out to his wife and children from the Lang Family.
Alan Chalmers, Press Steward at Wimbledon I was profoundly distressed to hear of the sudden death of my friend Gene Scott. I had known him as a regular first week attender at the Championships fo 30 years; he always went home early to celebrate 4th July with his beloved family. Not only a consumate Lawn Tennis player, he also excelled at the far more complex game of Court Tennis and was US champion multiple times. We talked so much about our common interests of Court Tennis and tennis literature. I know his untimely death has robbed the game and his multitude of freinds workd-wide of a truly irreplaceable tennis character.
William Patterson, III I will always remember Gene as a thoughtful, kind, and generous person. His strength and love for Tennis, business, and family will forever have an impact my family.
Mark M. Mayers Gene's walk through life was saddly so short, but in his time, he accomplished so much. He will long be remembered as a man above most men. I share his loss with his family and his ever so many firends.
Vinh Do - Tennis Instructor I only knew Gene as a journalist through his column. That was enough for me to feel that the world of tennis has lost someone who could inspire an individual, organization or an event to do the right things for the game. Recently, he worte about all the little people in tennis that made a difference. It challenged me to do a better job in my tennis profession. He has inspired my thoughts so often that I feel as though I loss a mentor. Thank you Gene for your inspiration and you will be greatly missed.
Mary Ann Benack - Tennis Week Staffer I cannot believe Gene is no longer with us. It was only at the US Open that I last saw him and he was so vibrant and passionate. I will miss him dearly. I am so grateful to Gene for offering me my very 1st job out of college. I spent 4+ wonderful years learning and growing at Tennis Week which led the way for everything that has followed in my life. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn from such an intelligent and passionate man. I have so many great stories that I will always cherish. One of my favorites is how Gene offered me the job at Tennis Week. After an amazing 6 week internship, he offered me a full-time position but it was contingent on me partnering with him in mixed double to beat another team. Talk about pressure - I mean he was world-renowned and who was I? Well, suffice it to say even Gene couldn't carry me on the tennis court that day, but fortunately for me he was still kind enough to offer me the opportunity. I will be forever grateful that life changing moment. Gene - I will miss you so very much, thank you for everything. Polly, Lucy, Sam - my heart goes out to you.
Tom Kosinski, Sports Central I will miss Mr. Scott more then words can say. His love of the game was second to none. He was always willing to take a stand for what was right and good for tennis, even when it wasn't popular and he knew it would place him at odds with the governing bodies of the sport. With his passing the sport of tennis will now have a permanent hole that no one will ever be able to fill. Fortunately Mr. Scott will never truly be gone, as he left us Tennis Week, with its exceptional writing and cutting edge commentary, a publication of the highest caliber, great integrity and character and professional standard. All the qualities of Mr. Scott himself. God Bless, Mr.Scott and his family. Tom Kosinski www.sports-central.org
George Vecsey Having covered Gene in his prime as a player,when he was a home-town story for Newsday, I had the feeling he would always be there -- spotting me at one of my irregular visits to tennis, catching me up, and dropping an opinion and a quote on me, that would somehow be exactly what I needed for the next column. I know of his vast work in tennis -- I knew him as a generous presence. I'll miss him at my next foray back to tennis. I miss him now.
John Yandell, Advanced Tennis Research Tennis has lost it's greatest independent voice. Few people in tennis or anywhere have had his combination of vision, intelligence, and passion. You wonder if any one or even any combination of persons will ever again fill that role. Gene's support made a big difference in the early stages of our work in high speed filming. I have always felt grateful to him for that and heard of his passing with great sadness. It's hard to believe that someone that alive and vital is really gone. Rest in peace my friend.
John F. Murray, Sport Psychologist A tremendous leader has left us, but his spirit and lessons will never perish. I was honored unbelieveably last year when Tennis Week asked me to write a guest column on tearing down the walls of ignorance surrounding mental coaching and sport psychology. Gene was obviously the genius behind one of the best magazines ever. He cared deeply and always spoke out courageously.
Gene Mayer Gene Scott was a role model for every aspiring tennis player in the New York area. Gene was impassioned about his education, other sports, playing tennis, the tennis business, and his journalistic endeavors. He took Vitas Gerulaitis and me under his wing during our teenage years. The three of us practiced together for many years when Vitas and I should have been ballboying. Gene was often controversial, but never with the purpose of being controversial. He said what he believed and never wavered in that belief. In this age of being politically correct, Gene spoke the truth as he saw it. His vocabulary was legendary and his articles often required the use of a dictionary to fully understand them. Gene Scott's perspective and candor will be missed by all in the tennis world and beyond. My heart goes out to his family.
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