All-American Monday - John Hammill

John Hammill (1963)

Coral Gables, Fla. – Comingfrom a tennis family, where his parents were both nationally ranked and his twosisters and brother also played, John Hammill, a native of Johannesburg, SouthAfrica, rose to the No. 1 status in South African Juniors. At age 17, with theNo. 10 ranking in South Africa men’s division, Hammill left for the UnitedStates. As an amateur, Hammill participated in both the 1959 and 1960Wimbledon.

As a Hurricane, his collegiate career spanned the 1961-1964seasons. During his sophomore season, Hammill posted a perfect record of 31-0(19-0 in singles and 12-0 in doubles). His outstanding play led to a fourth placefinish at the NCAA championships.

Hammill followed up with outstanding sophomore season with asimilar performance during his junior year. Posting a 26-5 overall, 12-4 in singlesand 14-1 in doubles play, Hammill led the Canes to a second consecutive fourthplace finish at the NCAA Championships. In singles play he reached the round of16 and reached the semi-finals in doubles play while teamed with fellow SouthAfrican, Rod Mandlestam. His outstanding play earned him All-Americanrecognition.

Playing primarily in the No. 1 through No. 3 positions,Hammill helped the Hurricanes establish the longest winning streak in historyof men’s intercollegiate tennis at 137. The streak currently sits in secondplace only behind the University of Indiana’s 144 in swimming.

Sixteen years after graduating from theUniversity, Hammill returned as the coach. In his 16 seasons at the helm,Hammill had compiled an overall record of 265-132. His 265 wins place himsecond, only behind his former coach Dale Lewis, on the University of Miami’sall-time wins list in tennis. In consecutive seasons, 1982 and 1983, Hammilllwas named the ITCA Southeastern Coach of the Year. In 2000, Hammill wasinducted in the University of Miami’s Hall of Fame.