Robert D. Carrothers, Jr. (1922-1940)

     Robert Donald “Bob” Carrothers was born in Pocatello, Idaho and died tragically in an automobile accident in San Diego in 1940 while a freshman at the University of Southern California. Sadly, fans of San Diego tennis will never know, but it is likely that Carrothers would have ascended the heights of the tennis world had he lived, as his achievements of four years in national competition were meteoric. No less an authority than Jack Kramer, who practiced with Carrothers said “in my opinion he would have been the best of his time.” Carrothers represented Coronado High School and he won the Harper Ink Tournament four times, the Ojai Interscholastic Championship, the Dudley Cup in Santa Monica and the National Interscholastic Championship. In 1937, he won the U.S. National Boys Singles Championship at age 15. In 1940, at 18, he won the U.S. National Junior Boys Singles and Doubles Championships. He excelled in basketball, as team captain and two time all-league player for the Metropolitan League champions. He was class president and student body president as a senior and was liked by all for his friendly personality and sportsmanship. The late Perry T. Jones, President of the Southern California Tennis Association referred to Carrothers as “Gentleman Bob”. The late champion, Ted Schroeder, was so respectful of Carrothers’ prowess, that upon winning the U.S. National Championships in 1942, he presented his trophy to Carrothers’ father stating he would not have won had Bob been alive.  Appropriately, in the spirit of good sportsmanship, the Carrothers Award is in its 68^th year and is awarded during the Harper Ink Tournament.