'It's time'. Coach Richard Beck ends 54-season run with McDowell boys tennis team
An era has ended for McDowell and District 10 boys tennis.
Richard Beck confirmed to the Erie Times-News during Saturday's district girls tennis singles matches at Westwood Racquet Club that he's resigned as coach of the Trojans' boys tennis team, which plays during the spring. His decision to depart after 54 seasons ends a one-team coaching tenure unlikely to be approached again in Erie County high school athletics.
More: District 10 girls tennis defending champions find themselves seeded second in repeat bids
Beck, 76, said he does plan to remain coach of McDowell's girls team for the near future. The Clearfield County native took charge of that program in 1984.
Beck has coached the Trojans' boys and girls tennis programs for a combined 93 seasons.
“It's time,” he said. “My wife (Paula) and I want to do some more traveling while we're still healthy enough to travel. Probably for the last eight years, we would go to Florida for the winter but have to come back earlier in the spring (for McDowell's boys tennis season). We have grandchildren all over the country and my son lives in Texas.”
Beck had conflicting emotions about his decision. He said he briefly withdrew his resignation to Athletic Director Mark Becker before opting to follow through.
Helping students with their issues, both in tennis and life, still resonates that strongly for Beck more than a half century after McDowell hired him to coach its boys tennis team in 1969.
“When you care for somebody, and you're entirely motivated by kindness, you do them no harm,” Beck said. “I still see that in these kids. If you talk about expectations with kids, they will live up to them. We as adults, as coaches or as parents need to understand that.
“If we challenge them to do the right thing, they can become a productive citizen when they leave high school.”
More: Longtime tennis instructor Ric Harden honored at Westwood Racquet Club
Beck has helped three McDowell tennis players earn PIAA gold medals. Kara Schertzer was the state's best female singles player in 1990, when the tournament was still open class. Derek Taylor and Keith Whittingham combined to finish first for the state's Class 3A doubles bracket in 2005.
The Times-News honored Beck, who retired from the Millcreek School District in 2008, with its Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2016 Varsity Cup high school sports awards ceremony.
Related: McDowell's Beck named Varsity Cup Lifetime Achievement recipient
Contact Mike Copper at mcopper@timesnews.com. Follow him on Twitter @ETNcopper.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: McDowell boys tennis coach Richard Beck has resigned after 53 seasons
