bob_plaschkeSince Salem added tennis as a team sport in the early 70’s, most observers consider Bob Plaschke, a 1981 Salem Community High School grad, to be the best player produced by the program.

There is much to support this:

  • He is the first tennis player to be elected in the SCHS Sports Hall of Fame.
  • Bob has won more singles matches than any player in Salem history.
  • He was the North Egyptian Conference Singles Champion in 1979 & 1981.
  • He was a two-time NEC Doubles Champion with partner Mike Martin. They also won the District and were State finalists in ‘79 & ‘81.
  • He lettered in tennis all four years at SCHS under coach Bill Morgan.
  • Bob was a member of the 1981 Junior Davis Cup Team.
  • He was rated the #1 tennis player in Southern Illinois for those 16 & under and then again for those 18 & under.
  • He also played tennis for Northwestern University his freshman year there.

(more…)