MORGANTOWN —
James “Dart” Meadows, who grew up in Charleston, was a great singles player in men’s tennis at West Virginia University from 1976-79.
He still ranks 10th among all-time winningest singles players in the history of the men’s program, which was discontinued in 2003.
Meadows, who is 55 years old, still plays tennis competitively in the Atlanta, Ga., area where he now resides. He has been an attorney since earning a law degree at WVU in 1983.
His record as a Mountaineer in singles competition was 82-31 (72.6 percent).
“I am surprised,” Dart said of his No. 10 ranking. “Terry Deremer had some great teams when he coached there in the 1980s.”
Besides the outdoor tennis courts in the WVU Coliseum complex, Meadows recalls playing on indoor courts that his coach, Stanley Farr, owned and operated in Westover across town.
He also remembers that Fred Wyant of Morgantown had courts he used to play tennis inside.
Meadows started playing the sport at about the age of 10 and also competed four years at George Washington High School in Charleston.
He was the Mountaineers’ No. 1 singles player in his sophomore, junior and senior years at WVU. For most of his freshman season, he was No. 2 in the lineup.
Bob Haller was No. 1 in 1976.
“Yes, I enjoyed my years in Morgantown,” Meadows said.
“It was a fascinating experience. My father was within a year of basketball superstar Jerry West,” he remembers. “Both were attending East Bank High School. But I don’t think they knew each other, though.”
While Vernon Meadows was attending WVU, son Dart was a baby living with his father and mother in one of Morgantown’s trailer parks. West was doing his thing then, but the tot obviously didn’t know.
“I wish I could have seen Jerry perform,” he said. His father was not an athlete, though.
After graduating in 1979, Meadows did some teaching in Charleston schools before completing requirement for his law degree. He also taught tennis at times during the summer.
He was an assistant coach at LSU for one year in 1980.
“That’s when I didn’t know what I was going to do,” he explained.
He did not get into medical school, so he finally decided to become a lawyer. He’s doing very well in his law practice and seemingly has no regrets.
Meadows was voted team MVP in 1977. He teamed with Tyke Wilson to win the Eastern Eight doubles crown in 1978. He placed third in singles in that tournament.
He also was a three-time team captain among his high honors. Team records were 15-7, 14-7 and 15-10.
He will tell you he loves to play tennis because “it’s a sport for a lifetime.”
Dart and wife Carol have five children — three boys and two girls.
He remains close to WVU and follows its sports teams.
WVU Sports
FURFARI COLUMN: Meadows was WVU tennis great
- WVU Sports
-
-
FURFARI COLUMN: Chuck Howley greatest all-around WVU athlete
Chuck Howley’s greatest fame came in football at West Virginia University and then with the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
However, making the Wheeling native even more distinguished is the fact he is the only five-sport letterman in WVU athletic history. -
HERTZEL COLUMN: McCartney getting his second chance
There is a familiar saying that carries much weight around the West Virginia University football program.
“If at first you don’t succeed …” -
Musgrave, errors push WVU past TCU
In its second game of pool play at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark, the West Virginia University baseball team trumped TCU, 10-3, as the Horned Frogs committed a Big 12 Championship record nine errors in the contest.
-
HERTZEL COLUMN: Jarrod West treasures time with his family
It came along too late to do me any good, but today I want to offer a very warm thank you to Jarrod West, the one-time West Virginia University basketball hero.
-
WVU in eight-team Cancun Challenge field
West Virginia University’s basketball team will be in a field with seven other teams in the 2013 Men’s Cancun Challenge, played at the all-inclusive Aventura Palace resort near Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
-
Kansas pitcher Taylor shuts down Mountaineers
In its first game of pool play against Kansas at the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship, the West Virginia University baseball team was defeated, 7-2.
-
HERTZEL COLUMN: Big 12 baseball tournament is about America
All of a sudden the Big 12’s annual baseball tournament is more about America and the American way than it is about baseball.
And that makes it a wonderful thing. -
Musgrave to pitch WVU’s second game
West Virginia University baseball coach Randy Mazey believes that the change in format of the Big 12 Tournament will benefit his Mountaineers because it allows him to hold conference Pitcher of the Year Harrison Musgrave until the key second game of the tournament.
-
HERTZEL COLUMN: Bill Stewart is missed, remembered
It was Monday, the first anniversary of Bill Stewart’s sudden death while playing the 16th hole of a charity golf tournament with West Virginia University’s former athletic director and his former boss, Ed Pastilong.
-
Miles granted release from WVU
Junior forward Keaton Miles, who suffered through a disappointing sophomore season as West Virginia fell below .500, has been granted a release and will seek a transfer, according to published reports.
- More WVU Sports Headlines
-
FURFARI COLUMN: Chuck Howley greatest all-around WVU athlete
