Alumni Corner: Tim Carr (1987-89)

Photo: Tim Carr is second to the left, standing

Portland men's tennis head coach Aaron Gross will be reaching out to alumni of the program with a running question-and-answer feature for PortlandPilots.com throughout the summer. Coach Gross recently caught up with Tim Carr (1987-89), who transferred to Portland from Notre Dame for his final two seasons. Carr graduated with a major in psychology and a minor in business.
 
"Full disclosure, Tim Carr was one of my best friends growing up," Gross said. "I met Tim when I was 10 years old and we probably were on the same tennis court together for 250 days a year for the next six or seven years. My daughter, Jasmine (14 years old at the time), was shooting some baskets in a gym with David Carr, Tim's second oldest son, who is currently a senior on the UP basketball team. It kind of hit me that the connection I have had with Tim for all these years. Tim being one of the best tennis players UP has ever had, me getting the job at UP 19 years ago, and now Tim's son playing basketball for UP and my daughter shooting around with him. It was kind of a surreal moment. There are so many unique ties like this to UP throughout the city and probably the country. Tim is an amazing guy and has an awesome family that is a pillar in the Portland community in so many ways. He was also a very talented tennis player. Once we finished high school, Tim and I went our separate ways, but will always be connected from all of the time that we spent together as kids, the ties that Tim has to UP from his playing days, and now through his son playing on the basketball team."

Ex-teammate, Bruce Sylva tells a very funny story of Tim after he first transferred to UP from Notre Dame.
 
"Tim transferred and immediately made a huge positive impact on our team by filling the No. 1 singles spot when Kevin Jones graduated," Sylva said. "Tim was a calm, even keel player, and he didn't lose.  More impressively was how he fit in as a teammate – he was immediately one of the guys as soon as he walked through the doors at LP Tennis Center. I remember the WCC Championships at Pepperdine and we were done with the tournament so the team went to Redondo Beach Pier. Tim was eating an ice cream cone and Greg Acuna wanted to see if he could rattle him so he asked Tim if he could take a bite. Tim gave his cone to Greg and Greg threw Tim's ice cream cone off the pier. Tim smiled and thought, 'OK, whatever,' no big thing. Greg did get him a new ice cream cone, explaining that he just wanted to see his reaction. Tim is an amazing athlete and was a tough, stingy competitor and humble all at the same time. Just a great player and teammate."
 
What would you like people to know about your family at this point in your life?

My family is big, ha ha. I have been married to my wife, Jennifer, for 27 years.  Kids include Allison, 26, Nate 23, David (hoopster at UP) 21, Danny 18,  Johnny 14, Julia 13 and Isaac 8.  They were or are all heavily involved in athletics, I went from tennis player to chauffer very quickly.


What is your current occupation?

I have been with Square D / Schneider Electric for 24 years. Current position is a Territory Account Manager.


What is your fondest tennis memory at UP?

Winning singles and doubles matches in Seattle against Washington my senior year.  I think we lost 5-4, we were so close… it was a great team effort.
 
 
What is your fondest memory about UP in general?

I just remember what great teammates I had and how fun it was to play for Coach LaPlante.  We worked really hard and guys were very motivated.  I was so impressed with the guys work ethic at UP, it was tremendous.  Practice or matches, didn't matter, everyone was extremely focused on improving.
 

What do you miss most about your college tennis experience?

Being around the team, the camaraderie, that was special.  I miss that.
 
 
If you could give advice to an 18-year-old entering the University of Portland as a tennis player now, what would it be?
 
Be open-minded, you are very fortunate to have an amazing coach in Aaron Gross.  Listen and learn, you will be much better off.  Also, enjoy the ride, it goes fast!


Are there aspects of your professional life that your experiences as a Division I athlete differentiate you? Maybe give you an advantage over someone who didn't compete at that level as an athlete?
 
I think the discipline and self motivation that you get from playing a D-I sports is a big advantage.  Plus, being very competitive and hating to lose also is a bonus.


Do you have a story that you can share that you and your ex-teammates still talk about and laugh when you get together?
 
I cannot think of any one particular story at this time (too many kids I guess).  I just know that we were able to have a great time on road trips and still be very focused when we got on the court.


Any final thoughts?

I very much enjoyed my time at UP.  It is a great school and I had great times on the tennis court.  With my son David playing on the basketball team for the last three years it has been awesome going back and being involved with UP athletics!