No matter what he achieves in professional tennis, Stevie Johnson will likely be most notable for his achievements in college tennis playing for the University of Southern California Trojans. Johnson won four straight NCAA team titles for USC and two NCAA singles titles, winning his last 72 college singles matches. Johnson is a true Trojan to the core and contributed the foreword to the book “Trojan Tennis: A History of the Storied Men’s Tennis Program at the University of Southern California” by USC men’s tennis historian and Marshall School of Business professor S. Mark Young, the first-ever book about a college tennis program. The book is available for sale here https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937559823/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_o5vdCb5D8R28Y via Amazon.com. Writes Johnson in the foreword excerpted below, “At USC I learned a lot more than how to be a better tennis player. I learned that talent doesn’t always win out; that it’s hard work, character and respect for the people on your team that makes the difference. These aren’t just lessons that apply only on the court, but to life in general.”
I came to USC in 2009 to fulfill a dream of becoming a Trojan and playing for Coach Peter Smith. I really had no idea what was in store for me, but I knew that I wanted to be part of something great.
When we won our first NCAA National Team Championship in 2009, we were all elated, but thought we were capable of more. Then we won the title again in 2010 and 2011. People ask me all the time how this was possible. I tell them that several factors were responsible. The first was the immense skill of our coaching staff – they are in a class of their own. The second was that we put the team ahead of each player’s individual needs, and the third was we couldn’t have been more motivated. After winning three national titles in row, it occurred to me to turn pro, but my heart told me that I had to go back to try for the four-peat. Few college teams ever win one national championship let alone four, so it was a gamble–but we did it.
At USC I learned a lot more than how to be a better tennis player. I learned that talent doesn’t always win out; that it’s hard work, character and respect for the people on your team that makes the difference. These aren’t just lessons that apply only on the court, but to life in general. I made lifelong friendships with Kaes Van’t Hof, Robert Farah, Daniel Nguyen, Ray Sarmiento, and so many of my other teammates. These guys are my brothers and I learned so much from them. My father, Steve Johnson Sr., will always be my first mentor and coach, but I also owe so much of my growth to Peter Smith. My close friendship with Peter was forged through all of the great times and struggles we had on and off the court. Peter is a truly great mentor, and in my opinion, the best tennis coach in the country.
Some question whether top junior players should skip college and go directly to the pros. My experience tells me that this might be the pathway for some, but for me, I received a first-class education and I was able to more than achieve my tennis goals. The tour is exciting, but grueling. While the average age of top professional players has crept up a bit lately, most players are thinking of retiring in their early 30s — so having a college degree provides you with more options when the time comes to leave the circuit.
I first met Mark Young in 2012 while we were on our way to the four-peat. Mark told me that he wanted to write a book about the entire history of the men’s tennis team, a history that began well over a hundred years ago. Every time I saw Mark he would give me an update.
Now the book is a reality, and I am really excited about it. It’s a fascinating read that I think will be of great interest, not just to Trojan tennis fans, but also to everyone who loves tennis. I was aware of bits and pieces of USC men’s tennis and knew many of the biggest names, like Alex Olmedo, Stan Smith, Bob Lutz, Dennis Ralston and Rick Leach. But, as I discovered, USC’s history consists of hundreds of teams and players and thousands of contests. What I like most about this book are the stories of the greatest matches, the rivalries, and the funniest moments. I am very proud that my story is now part of this illustrious history.
—Stevie Johnson
“Trojan Tennis: A History of the Storied Men’s Tennis Program at the University of Southern California” by USC men’s tennis historian and Marshall School of Business professor S. Mark Young, is the first-ever book about a college tennis program.
Published by New Chapter Press, “Trojan Tennis” documents the most successful college tennis program, dating from 1899 through the end of the 2016-17 season. USC tennis legends Stan Smith and Stevie Johnson both contributed forewords to the hardcover book that features interviews with many of the program’s greatest players also including Alex Olmedo, Dennis Ralston, Bob Lutz, Rick Leach, Luke Jensen as well as legendary coaches George Toley, Dick Leach and Peter Smith. While the progress of the team is central, readers will be fascinated by the biographical details of the key figures in each time period, which are enhanced by extensive footnotes drawing from archival materials, including personal letters, scrapbooks, published news stories, and original interviews.
The book is available where books are sold for $27.95, including here on Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937559823/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_Uwj6AbAFSMSJN
“We are so lucky Dr. Mark Young found us,” said Peter Smith, the USC men’s tennis coach. “He had a dream to write the story of the USC men’s tennis team. Little did any of us know what a the grand that lay ahead of him. Mark looked into every detail and every character – the story is a great read. He is the perfect person to tell our story and we can’t wait to share it with the world.”
Said former USC coach Dick Leach, “This book on the history of USC tennis is a very heavily researched endeavor by Professor Mark Young who poured through many archives and interviewed scores of Trojans. The result is a truly comprehensive volume about the legacy of USC tennis. Mark has played competitive tennis all of his life and knows the game. I am very glad that he has written this great book so that all of these memories can be forever preserved.”
Said International Tennis Hall of Famer and former Trojan Dennis Ralston, “Even though it has been many years, I still follow SC tennis. Every time the Trojans play the Bruins, I am transported back to the days of our great rivalry. Mark Young’s book brings back so many wonderful memories and I will always treasure my time as a Trojan at USC.”
Said Bob Lutz, former NCAA singles and doubles champion for USC, “Many of my best tennis memories occurred while I was playing for USC under Coach George Toley. I was very proud to be on teams that would be the first to win four consecutive NCAA Team Championships. My contribution to the history of USC tennis, though, is just part of a much larger story and thanks to Mark Young’s Trojan Tennis, the entire history has now been captured I highly recommend this book.”
Said two-time U.S. Open champion Tracy Austin, whose son Brandon plays for USC, “Trojan Tennis is the only comprehensive book about college tennis. As someone who has been a life-long devotee to tennis, I was only aware of parts of SC tennis history. I am so glad that Mark Young has been able to capture recollections of so many luminaries of the sport. The book is a fun read with amazing photos and I know tennis and sports fans everywhere will thoroughly enjoy it.”
