The Albion College athletics community is mourning the loss of former tennis coach Scott Frew, who passed away on Oct. 8 at the age of 58.
Frew, who coached the Britons from 2001-11, was arguably the most successful coach in the history of Albion College’s tennis program. He led the women’s team to six MIAA Championships, most recently in 2011. Frew guided the men’s team to its only NCAA tournament birth in 2007.
“[Frew] always took great pride in being a Brit,” said Marissa Cloutier, Grosse Ile junior. “He did everything he could to ensure that both the men’s and women’s teams were as competitive as possible.”
Under Frew’s tutelage, 16 members of Albion’s women’s squad achieved All-MIAA first-team status, including two MIAA Most Valuable Player award winners. The Britons also earned five NCAA post-season births during Frew’s tenure.
Though not as dominant as their female counterparts, Albion’s men’s team also enjoyed success throughout Frew’s time as coach. Five members of Albion’s men’s team earned All-MIAA first-team status under his direction, including one MIAA Most Valuable Player award winner.
Keith Turner, Albion College’s director of tennis, said he hopes to match the level of success that Frew experienced while coaching the Brits.
“Under Coach Frew’s leadership, the women’s team was a power in the MIAA Conference throughout his tenure,” Turner said. “I have inherited another strong women’s team as well as a men’s team that should be much improved from last year.”
His on-court success nonwithstanding, Frew had an equally large impact on the Albion College tennis program off of the court.
At the start of each season, he would provide his players with a list of priorities that he expected them to follow. While athletics are important, Frew acknowledged that there are other aspects of life that are even more important.
“He encouraged us to put our faith first, family second, academics third, tennis fourth and everything else came after,” Cloutier said. “He always lived his life according to this list and set a great example for all of his players to follow.”
Frew was also a quintessential players coach, striving to develop a fun, family-centered atmosphere amongst his teams.
“From organizing alumni events and the annual Brit Cup mixed doubles tournament, to planning spring break trips to Texas, California, Florida and Puerto Rico, Coach went above and beyond in many ways to make sure that the Albion tennis program was the best it could be,” Cloutier said.
Frew is set to be inducted into the Albion College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2013. Matt Arend, Albion College’s athletic director, called Frew a great member of the Britons’ athletic department.
“He loved Albion College and his student-athletes,” Arend said. “There is no question that knowing and working with Coach Frew made us all better people.”
Photo Courtesy of the Albion College Athletic Dept.
Coach Frew passed away from Lou Gerhig’s disease, also called ALS. If folks want a cause to support; support the ALS Association. they fund millions of dollars of research into the early diagnosis and treatment of the disease, which to date has neither.
Scott was a great advocate for student athletes and academics. He will be missed.