John Guerry, left, will be inducted into the Sewanee athletics hall of fame this fall. He and his son, Pat (also a member of the Sewanee hall), are both in the Tennessee Tennis and Greater Chattanooga halls of fame.
Known for his impeccable sportsmanship in tennis, a winner on the court and a tireless ambassador for the sport, John Guerry is one of six former student-athletes who will be inducted into the University of the South athletics hall of fame during Hall of Fame Weekend, Oct, 23-24.
Members of the 2015 HOF class will also be introduced at halftime of the Tigers’ fourth home football game of the season on October 24th against Centre.
Joining Guerry in the class of 2015 are Ian Cross, Elizabeth Epps, Jason Forrester, Kevin Lenahan and Kent Rhea and the 1970 men’s golf team.
A 1949 Sewanee graduate and president of the student body, Guerry was tennis team captain and the athlete of the year as a senior, was state small college runner-up in singles and doubles and guided the Tigers to the T.I.A.C.
state team titles in 1947 and 1949.
He graduated Phi Beta Kappa and in The Order of Gownsmen.
“I am pleased and thrilled to be elected to the Sewanee hall of fame,” said Guerry who is also a member of the Tennessee Tennis and Greater Chattanooga halls of fame. “It is a great honor.”
He is the fourth member of the Guerry family to be inducted into the Sewanee hall of fame, joining his son, Pat Guerry, brother, Alex Guerry Jr., and his father, Alexander Guerry, Sr.
He was a key member of the fund raising efforts for the current Sewanee tennis complex, including the John Guerry Pavilion and the addition of three courts built in 2013.
“I am excited that my dad is going in the hall of fame and I believe it is a well deserved honor,” said Pat Guerry who lives in Atlanta. “I am happy for him.”
The Lookout Mountain resident has served the University in several capacities, including University Alumni President, as a Trustee, and Board of Regent member.
A graduate of The Bright School and Sewanee Military Academy (’43), Guerry is a multiple Chattanooga City champion in singles and doubles.
He served his country well during World War II and the Korean War and received the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge.
The 2015 Class inductees:
Ian Cross, C’98 – Three-time All-Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference selection in track and cross country … set the SCAC record time in the 1500m and 5000m in 1996 … was the 1996 SCAC 1500m and 5000m champion … was named the 1996 SCAC Male Track Athlete of the Year … earned the 1995 SCAC Cross Country Runner of the Year honor.
Elizabeth Epps, C’87 – Epps becomes the first-ever volleyball only athlete to be inducted into the Hall of Fame … was a four-time W.I.A.C. selection … led Sewanee to 63 wins during her career … also ranked among the program’s leaders in kills, matches played, and matches started.
Jason Forrester, C’93 – Was a four-year starter and a three-time All-SCAC selection … was a 1992 NCAA Postgraduate Scholar … also awarded the 1992 National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete award … led Sewanee to the 1992 SCAC Championship … was a captain in 1992 … was one of the key blockers for fellow Hall of Fame member and Sewanee rushing record holder Carl Cravens.
John Guerry, C’49 – Joins his father, Alexander Guerry, brother, Alex Guerry Jr., and son, Pat Guerry as a member of the Hall of Fame … lettered from 1947-49 … was a captain in 1949 … led Sewanee to T.I.A.C Championships in 1947 and 1949 … was the T.I.A.C. runner-up in singles in 1948 and was the T.I.A.C. doubles runner-up in 1949 … led numerous financial drives for the tennis program, including the building of the current tennis pavilion (which is named after Guerry), updated landscaping, and the construction of three new courts build in the fall of 2013 … served as the University Alumni President, as a Trustee, and Board of Regent member … past president of the Tennessee State Tennis Association and Manker-Patten Tennis Club … served as a four-time Chairman of the USTA Southern Team Tennis Organization … also a member of the Tennessee Tennis and Chattanooga Sports Hallsof Fame.
Kevin Lenahan, C’74 – Led Sewanee to three C.A.C. Wrestling Championships … was 16-1 in 1973-74 and 12-3 in 1971-72 … also lettered in football for four seasons.
Kent Rhea, C’57 – One of two student-athletes in the University’s history to earn 12 varsity letters … received four letters in cross-country, wrestling, and track (Yogi Anderson, a Sewanee HOF member, is the other 12-sport athlete) … team captain for all three programs ... member of the 1953 and 1954 undefeated cross country teams … helped set the school mile relay record in 1957 … voted as the Sewanee Outstanding Male Athlete in 1957.
1970 Men’s Golf Team – Won the 1970 C.A.C. Championship … finished the season 8-6 in dual matches … also won the T.I.A.C. Championship … Edward White won T.I.A.C. medalist honors while Mike Turner was the runner-up … George Waterhouse was the C.A.C medalist with Rob Chapman as the runner-up … members of the team include Edward White (captain), Rob Chapman, Felix Drennan, Nim Long, Jack Steinmeyer, Jock Tonissen, Mike Tuner, George Waterhouse, and coach Walter Bryant.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net