by Jonathan E. Bridge, Assistant Head of School for Advancement

This aerial photo of University School’s Shaker Campus athletic fields from nearly 100 years ago beautifully illustrates the school’s long-standing commitment to athletics. Every square inch of the campus was alive with

activity—athletes filled every court and field. A particularly interesting detail in the photo is the presence of 12 clay tennis courts, a testament to the school’s early dedication to the sport. That all changed this year, thanks to the generous involvement of the Herrick family in the revitalization of tennis at Shaker.

 

While the six courts to the west were repurposed as a play area, the six to the east were converted to hard courts and served as home to varsity and Middle School tennis for decades. Numerous repavings and repairs

were no match for the ravages of time, and the courts became unplayable. Teams were forced to practice and compete off-campus. When Mary Herrick learned about the wide range of improvements happening at the campus, she shared that her top priority was to bring back tennis. Her late husband, Jack Herrick ’56, was a legendary tennis and squash player at University School, Dartmouth College, and beyond. She reflected that Jack would have been honored to see new tennis courts built on the campus he loved so deeply. In fact, Jack ran or walked the track at Shaker nearly every day of his life. Their front yard on Brantley Road looks straight through the goalposts of the Shaker Campus football field.