Hinsdale C.’s Kramer goes out a winner

Jay Kramer remembers when he aspired to be an airline pilot. In 1966, he traded flying lessons for tennis lessons and earned a pilot’s license. He thought seriously about getting out of tennis. But he wasn’t good enough to be an airline pilot. So tennis reclaimed its winningest coach of all.

Kramer closed out his 50-year career at Hinsdale Central last week by winning his 16th state championship, his third in a row. He also has guided his team to 12 second-place finishes and eight thirds. From 1972 to 1980, he won nine state titles in a row.

‘‘It’s been a great run,’’ he said. ‘‘It feels like this is the time to go. I’ve got a place in Florida. I enjoy playing golf and tennis and fishing. The springs have taken their toll on me. I feel I have exhausted myself.’’

A Hollywood script writer couldn’t have produced a more exciting finish. In the recent state meet, there was a three-way tie going into the finals and Hinsdale Central had to win all of its five matches, which it did, to win the team title by one point.

‘‘Winning your first state title is always one of the sweetest memories,’’ Kramer said. ‘‘But this year topped them all. Our second doubles team of Josh Sink and Paul Cooper had to win five matches. Krishna Ravelo, our second singles player, won four big matches. And Augie Bloom’s finish was incredible. He beat New Trier’s two top players to win the tournament. It all had to come together to win and it did.’’

Kramer, who played tennis at Evanston and Northwestern, was hired by athletic director Harvey Dickinson in 1959. His goal was to coach a state title team, which he accomplished in his sixth season.

He devoted his life to coaching junior players by giving private lessons at Burns Field, organizing tournaments, running the Jay Kramer Tennis Camp for 25 years and building the Oak Brook Tennis Club in 1973 to give kids a year-round opportunity to hone their skills.

He produced two state singles champions — Ed Staren in 1975 and Tom Buetikofoer in 1997. This year’s doubles team of Dan Ballentine and Ian Tesmond was one of his best. In winning the state title, they allowed only one service break during the entire tournament.

Kramer said the key to being a successful tennis coach is to have great players. But he felt he had something else going for him.

‘‘I think I’m a good motivator,’’ he said. ‘‘The kids know tennis means something to me, and I was able to make them reflect that.’’