McLoughlin, Maurice
Tennis
b. Jan. 7, 1890, Carson City, NV
d. Dec. 10, 1957
In a relatively brief career at the top, the "California Comet" had a major impact on tennis. He learned to play on hard, fast cement and asphalt courts that put a premium on speed, so he developed a cannonball serve and an aggressive volleying game.
Until McLoughlin arrived, many considered tennis an effete, sissyish sort of game for the upper set. McLoughlin's style of play showed that it could be a strenuous, manly sport, which helped persuade many boys and men that they should try it. The fact that he came from a middle class family also helped popularize tennis.
The red-headed, freckle-faced McLoughlin first won attention in 1909, when he came east to win the national interscholastic championship. In 1912, he won the national singles title, becoming the first champion from west of the Mississippi, and he repeated as singles champion in 1913. McLoughlin also won three doubles titles with Thomas C. Bundy, from 1912 through 1914.