Lamar University Athletics

A winner of nine conference and national championships, James Schmidt was the catalyst in the building of the great Lamar University tennis program.

With Schmidt being a key individual, Lamar University won four straight NAIA team championships from 1955 through 1958. Schmidt captured the school’s first national singles title in 1955 and repeated as champion again in 1956. He teamed with Eugene Saller to win the NAIA doubles crown in 1958.

In the Lone Star Conference, Schmidt won a record four straight doubles championships, and was the league’s singles winner in 1955 and 1958. During his four-year career with the Cardinals, Schmidt posted an overall dual-match singles record of 55-6 and a 45-5 doubles record. Schmidt put together outstanding singles seasons of 14-1, 10-1, 16-1 and 16-3 as he was virtually unbeatable by college opponents.