![]() ![]() “Leora (wife) and I would sit down and analyze things,” says Houghton, who has four kids and eight grandchildren ages three months to nine years, “until one day in the middle of the summer she basically said to me, ‘We can analyze and analyze and look at pluses and minuses, but at some point you’re going to have to go with your gut on this kind of thing.’”Īgain and again, just as it did in 1981, his gut turned toward family. Three decades after family reasons persuaded him to take the job, those same values pulled him out. His last day of work was Friday, Sept. 19. Houghton’s run as Iowa’s all-time winningest coach ended earlier this fall when he announced that after 47 years as a UI student-athlete and coach, including 33 seasons as head coach, he would retire his post. Steve Houghton has been affiliated with the Iowa men’s tennis team for 47 years. We knew then we would be in Iowa City instead of who knows where, but I never dreamed I’d be doing it 33 years.” “I decided on tennis because I thought it made sense for family reasons. “I remember having to decide,” Houghton recalled, “say no to tennis, finish up the PhD and someday be a history professor, or take the job. It was a tough choice to make for a boy that grew up in Iowa City, fell in love with the Hawkeyes in Kinnick Stadium at age five, and played for the Hawkeyes from 1969-71. Doctorate research and comprehensive exams be damned, Elliott offered Houghton a chance to lead the Hawkeyes, but only if he could commit on the spot. Houghton was 32 years old, already owned a pair of degrees from the UI (a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts, both in political science), and was just one dissertation away from a third-a doctorate in history -when former Iowa tennis coach John Winnie put him on the spot.Īccording to Winnie, UI athletics director Bump Elliott wanted Houghton to be the next Iowa tennis coach, effective immediately. ![]() One December day in 1981, Steve Houghton had a decision to make-Coach Houghton or Dr. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |