Bill Pendl '54 to Represent USA at Tennis' Gordon Trophy

July 7, 2006

July 7, 2006, Greencastle, Ind. - For Bill Pendl, a retired IBM executive and 1954 graduate of DePauw University, "tennis has become an avenue to not only compete but also to meet others while helping younger players learn more about the sport," reports today's Cincinnati Enquirer. When Pendl "takes the court against Randy Lofgren at 6 p.m. today at Lunken Playfield, he'll be competing in his 40th consecutive Thomas E. Price Cincinnati Metropolitan Tennis Championship," writes Mike Dyer.

The story notes, "Pendl, who grew up outside of South Bend, Ind., played tennis at DePauw University (Ind.) and helps recruit for the men's and women's programs at the Division III school, which is more than two hours from Cincinnati. He attends up to six matches a season. 'He stays in touch with the team and its members and watches when he can, which is pretty regularly,' DePauw men's coach Tom Cath ['76] said."

Dyer adds, "On July 28-29, Pendl will travel to Toronto, Ontario, to compete for the Gordon Trophy, an annual senior tennis event pitting the United States against Canada. Pendl has played in tournaments across the globe, but as someone who served in the Air Force, 'playing for your country is a whole different level,' he said. From those international experiences, Pendl has a network of friends in places such as England, France, Germany and Australia."

"Tennis is my big anti-depressant," Pendl, 73, tells the newspaper. "It gives me a great outlet; tennis is the sport of a lifetime." An economics major at DePauw, Pendl was a letterman on the Tiger tennis team.

Access the complete article, which includes an action photo of Bill Pendl, by clicking here. Pendl's grandson, Josh, is a DePauw sophomore and member of the Tigers' track and field team.

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