Alfred Lieteau, an Evanston resident for 29 years, is modest about his achievements when he coached Mather High School to seven straight tennis championships in the 1970s.
“I inherited the tradition,” he said.
Lieteau is now retired, playing tennis “every chance I get.”
Does he still compete?
“I play good for my age (69),” he said.
We pressed him for some other details, after stopping him on Main Street (carrying two books).
Q. Your background?
A. I was a high school teacher — I taught in Chicago — Von Steuben and Mather. I taught English, photography and videography.
Q. Videography? That must have been a challenge. Cameras have changed a lot since back in the day.
A. It got easier every year I taught, because they were coming out with newer equipment constantly.
Q. How about hobbies?
A. I shot weddings, Bar Mitzvahs, Bas Mitvahs, proms, model portfolios. I did that as well.
Q. Model portfolios?
A. That was great, until I got married.
Q. Other interests?
A. I read about two novels a week on the average… a lot of Stephen King, Kyle Onstott, Dean Koontz.
Q. As a teacher did you have a philosophy?
A. Teaching for me was never a job. It was something I loved to do. The students were always interesting.
— Bob Seidenberg, Pioneer Press
Shout Out is a weekly feature where we get to know and introduce our readers to their fellow community members and local visitors throughout suburban Chicago.
