Raider tennis players, alumni and staff honored long-time tennis coach Al Slawson Aug. 25 during a ceremony at the high school tennis courts.
Slawson began coaching the men’s tennis team in 1980, and began coaching the women’s team in 1982. He coached both teams until 2007, stepped away from the game, and returned to coach both teams in 2014.
His 1,038 career wins are the most by any SHHS tennis coach. He retired in 2022. His teams won 29 men’s league championships and the 2000 Ohio Tennis Coaches Association state championship. His women’s teams also won 26 league championships and he was named Plain Dealer coach of the year five times.
Slawson has also coached at Valley Forge High School, Baldwin Wallace College and Beaumont School.
Lara Girault (’25) said Slawson stressed the importance of maintaining perspective to his athletes. “Even though he never said it outright, I think he taught me to never take anything too seriously. Although it was a competition, don’t let yourself be defined by it,” Girault said.
Past students and co-workers reflected on their time spent with Slawson, commonly known by his nickname, “SlawDog.” Vikki Long, athletics administrative assistant, said Slawson was valued by the athletic department and is known for being an upbeat and fun person. “He’s an amazing individual,” Long said.
Athletic Director Mike Babinec said Slawson is an amazing role model. Babinec was a young baseball coach during Slawson’s career. He compared Slawson to legendary college and pro league coaches. “He’s like a Mount Rushmore type of coach. It’s like: Dean Smith, Rick Pitino, Nick Saban,” he said.
Athletes and coaches said that Slawson’s cheerfulness and willingness to help his players grow set him apart. “When you meet him, you’re initially kind of in awe because of his experience and how long he’s been here. And then you get to know him, and you realize that so much of his success is just the fact that he’s a very nice person,” Babinec said.
Slawson taught math at SHHS. He is especially remembered for creating a “Gangsta’s Paradise” parody about algebra.
“He was just the most upbeat person, and every time he came into the office there was always a joke,” Long said.
As the commemoration began, Slawson started off in his normal joking manner. “I don’t know if I know half the people here. I think I do. But I didn’t come up with a clever bit,” he said. “Anyway, I think I should shoot the microphone over to someone else.”
Said Girault, “It’s really cool to see how much he brought the community together and all these generations together today.”
Raider Zone Reporter Ezra Epstein contributed reporting.
