Roger S. Penske/Lehigh Athletics Hall of Fame
Seligson*, Julius
Julius Seligson*
- Induction:
- 1993
- Class:
- 1930
A star on the tennis court, Julius Seligson captured Lehigh’s first-ever individual national championship in 1928. His national title was the first in any sport, three years before Johnny Engel captured the school’s first wrestling national title.
Seligson was one of the best tennis players of his time. He won national indoor titles in 1928, 1929 and 1930, and took Eastern Intercollegiate honors in 1930. At one point, Seligson won 66 consecutive collegiate matches before losing in the 1930 NCAA finals. Seligson never lost a regular-season match and was ranked as high as ninth among U.S. players in 1928.
His professional career included winning the Metropolitan Clay Court Championship three times, something legendary tennis star Bill Tilden only won once. In 1930, he also won the Eastern Clay Court Championships.
After graduation he became an insurance broker and went into business with Francis Shields. Ironically, Shields was his original doubles partner at Lehigh. Seligson died in 1987.
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Seligson was one of the best tennis players of his time. He won national indoor titles in 1928, 1929 and 1930, and took Eastern Intercollegiate honors in 1930. At one point, Seligson won 66 consecutive collegiate matches before losing in the 1930 NCAA finals. Seligson never lost a regular-season match and was ranked as high as ninth among U.S. players in 1928.
His professional career included winning the Metropolitan Clay Court Championship three times, something legendary tennis star Bill Tilden only won once. In 1930, he also won the Eastern Clay Court Championships.
After graduation he became an insurance broker and went into business with Francis Shields. Ironically, Shields was his original doubles partner at Lehigh. Seligson died in 1987.
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