Inductees

In 1974, Linda Sisco was a young physical education instructor at Glendale High School when the principal and athletic director asked her if she would like to coach the girls’ tennis team.

She had played tennis herself but had never coached a team. The federal Title IX legislation had passed just two years earlier, allowing girls greater access to sports, and the school was interested in energizing girls’ athletics.

“I knew coaching might be challenging, but I also thought it would be fun,” Sisco said. “Little did I know I’d be coaching a championship team.”

And what a team it was. Glendale’s 1975 team won the first MSHSAA state tournament after qualifying two doubles teams. And that’s why the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame proudly inducted the Lady Falcons’ 1975 team with the Class of 2022.

The state title team highlighted an era, from 1974 to 1978, in which Glendale won all but two its 55 matches and placed at least second in every conference and district tournament.

“The state win was an unbelievable experience,” said Mary Palcheff Wiemer, who teamed with Cathleen Dwyer Scholl to win a medal. “While only two doubles teams placed at state, there was never any doubt that this was a win for the entire team. The camaraderie and teamwork that Coach Sisco inspired was felt very deeply.”

Glendale needed only six players to compete in high school matches, but Sisco kept a roster of 15 as way to give more girls a chance to learn, improve and succeed.

“Coach Sisco organized our practices in a good way, so we developed our skills while also having a good time,” recalled Kelly Ragan Anerud.

In fact, while discipline and working hard were part of the team’s formula for success, so was an emphasis on having fun.

Nearly every player still recalls an atmosphere of laughter and friendship that was just as special as a winning record.

“We had such a good time, even when we were practicing hard every day after school and on weekends, Carol Penninger Minton said. “The shared sense of fun made the diligence a joy.”

Glendale was 16-0 in the regular season, winning the Missouri State Relays, and finished as a runner-up in districts.

For most of the players, the significance of Title IX, and the opportunities it provided, were only realized as they grew older.

“Looking back, we now know we were extremely fortunate to have had the experience we had in girls’ sports – an experience that many young girls before us were not able to have,” says Meg Owens Townsend, who with partner Claire Dwyer Nelson, won first place in doubles at the 1975 state tournament.

The team’s fortune continued, as it went on to qualify for state two more times, bringing home team and individual medals.

After high school, Kathy Banks Robertson played at Missouri State for two seasons and Townsend played at the University of Missouri for one.

Sisco credits the team’s high school success not only to hard work and increased opportunity in girls’ sports but also to supportive parents and leaders in the Springfield tennis community – including Gerald Perry, John Newberg and Peggy Owens.

A strong tennis community also influenced the players’ involvement in tennis as they benefited from both private lessons and park board participation in their younger years. Players mentioned many teachers along the way, including Springfield tennis gurus Tom Adams (MSHOF 2020), Gerald Hickey, Fern and Michael Soxman and Richard Fronabarger.

Some of the Glendale team members still play tennis. Kim Morris Wood, Tammy Chalendar Corbin and Townsend compete in USTA leagues in their respective regions. Other team members were Cheryl Graham, Melinda Kastner, Jennifer Lorenc, Elizabeth Chaney Strickland, Pam Thompson and Jeanne Warren Stanchik.

Most team members attended colleges all over the country and ended up working in a variety of disciplines, including architecture, health sciences, graphic arts, communications, interior design, software engineering, respiratory therapy, accounting and wealth management.

Coach Sisco left Glendale in 1978 and went on to hold dean positions at both Southwest Baptist and Grand Canyon Universities before starting her own business, LifetimeLearners.

Both coach and players have experienced an array of milestones over the years, ranging from the births of their children and grandchildren to career advancements and world travel.

Still, they all agree that their Glendale tennis experience – including the momentous 1975 state win – was one of the highlights, due greatly to the lessons they learned about teamwork, friendship and, of course, the joy of playing sports.