Columbia Athletics Mourns Loss of Dick Savitt
1/7/2023 11:02:00 AM | Men's Tennis, Women's Tennis
The former Wimbledon and Australian Open Champion was a key figure in the New York tennis scene
Columbia University Athletics mourns the loss of Dick Savitt, after whom the former Columbia Tennis Center was named. Savitt passed away at the age of 95 Friday.
"We are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Dick Savitt," Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Peter Pilling said. "We will always remember him as a world-renowned tennis champion who modestly gave of his time and talent to our men's tennis program. His impact on our program and the tennis community will be felt forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."
Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, Richard Savitt was a former professional tennis player who won both the Australian and Wimbledon men's singles championships in 1951. The first Jewish player to win Wimbledon, he retired the following year at the age of 24 after winning the 1952 U.S. National Indoor Singles Championships. Savitt, who is enshrined in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men's Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame and the USTA Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame, is the second of four American men who have won both the Australian and British Championships in one year.
Savitt was a close friend to legendary former Columbia Tennis Alumni and Friends Head Coach of Men's Tennis, Bidyut K. Bid Goswami for nearly 40 years. Savitt would coach and mentor the tennis student-athletes and Goswami felt that the best way to pay homage to the Grand Slam Champion was by naming the facility after him. The indoor facility was named in his honor when it opened in March 2002 and served as home court for the men's and women's varsity tennis teams until ground was broken for its replacement, the new Columbia Tennis Center, in 2021.
Goswami, who retired in 2019 after an illustrious 37-year career, shared his condolences on the passing of Dick Savitt. "The world of tennis has lost an absolute icon and I have lost a great friend and mentor in Dick Savitt," Goswami said. "He was a passionate and modest tennis savant who touched so many players' lives and made such an impact on Columbia's program and the tennis community at large. He leaves behind an indelible legacy."
"Mr. Savitt was a wonderful human being who helped so many young people around the world to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams," said Bidyut K. Goswami Head Coach of Men's Tennis and Director of Tennis Operations, Howard Endelman '87CC. "We first met in Israel in 1981, then he supported me so much when I played at Columbia and for the rest of his life. He loved tennis and helping others in every way. He was a really good man."
After his tennis career, Savitt entered the oil business in Louisiana. He then worked for Lehman Brothers on Wall Street, and joined Schroders in 1985.
Savitt is survived by his son, Robert (Bob) Savitt and three grandchildren.
"We are incredibly saddened to hear of the passing of Dick Savitt," Campbell Family Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Peter Pilling said. "We will always remember him as a world-renowned tennis champion who modestly gave of his time and talent to our men's tennis program. His impact on our program and the tennis community will be felt forever. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this time."
Born in Bayonne, New Jersey, Richard Savitt was a former professional tennis player who won both the Australian and Wimbledon men's singles championships in 1951. The first Jewish player to win Wimbledon, he retired the following year at the age of 24 after winning the 1952 U.S. National Indoor Singles Championships. Savitt, who is enshrined in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men's Collegiate Tennis Hall of Fame and the USTA Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame, is the second of four American men who have won both the Australian and British Championships in one year.
Savitt was a close friend to legendary former Columbia Tennis Alumni and Friends Head Coach of Men's Tennis, Bidyut K. Bid Goswami for nearly 40 years. Savitt would coach and mentor the tennis student-athletes and Goswami felt that the best way to pay homage to the Grand Slam Champion was by naming the facility after him. The indoor facility was named in his honor when it opened in March 2002 and served as home court for the men's and women's varsity tennis teams until ground was broken for its replacement, the new Columbia Tennis Center, in 2021.
Goswami, who retired in 2019 after an illustrious 37-year career, shared his condolences on the passing of Dick Savitt. "The world of tennis has lost an absolute icon and I have lost a great friend and mentor in Dick Savitt," Goswami said. "He was a passionate and modest tennis savant who touched so many players' lives and made such an impact on Columbia's program and the tennis community at large. He leaves behind an indelible legacy."
"Mr. Savitt was a wonderful human being who helped so many young people around the world to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams," said Bidyut K. Goswami Head Coach of Men's Tennis and Director of Tennis Operations, Howard Endelman '87CC. "We first met in Israel in 1981, then he supported me so much when I played at Columbia and for the rest of his life. He loved tennis and helping others in every way. He was a really good man."
After his tennis career, Savitt entered the oil business in Louisiana. He then worked for Lehman Brothers on Wall Street, and joined Schroders in 1985.
Savitt is survived by his son, Robert (Bob) Savitt and three grandchildren.
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