Alumni Spotlight: Harold "Hal" McGrath, Jr. '53
10/6/2025 3:47:00 PM | Block S Club
Former Student-Athlete Spotlight (September Edition)
Harold "Hal" McGrath, Jr. '53
Men's TennisWalking through the Lally Athletics Complex in August, Hal and his partner Marylyn were shocked and in awe at how much the Athletic Complex has changed since his time playing tennis at Syracuse. Of course, the change of Manley Fieldhouse (now known as Lally Athletics Complex) and the Skytop tennis courts that he used to play on were surprising, but possibly the most memorable discovery of Hal's visit back to Syracuse was seeing his own photo displayed in a trophy case in the Hall of Fame. As Hal and Marylyn finished their tour of the newly renovated complex, he stopped in his tracks when he recognized a familiar face on the wall inside of the trophy case. "Wow I didn't know they had this here," said Hal. It was a game photo of Hal in his collegiate days.
With his long track record of success and accolades, Hal has every right to walk with a chip on his shoulder. Hal picked up his first tennis racket at 10 years old and won his first tournament that same year. He won the City Boys Singles at age 14 and the state title the following year. He was so good that he was even offered free membership to the Sedgwick Farms Tennis Club by the President of the Club, Harry Trout. Hal was so impressive that the Syracuse University Chancellor, William Pearson Tolley, offered to cover half of his tuition.
Hal wasn't the traditional student-athlete that we see today. Hal was taking night classes at Syracuse and working at Merchants Bank during the day. Juggling work, school, and tennis, Hal still found a way to be ranked number 10 in the country as he won the Eastern Intercollegiate Singles Championship. He then went on to win three National Senior Gold crowns and even defeated a one-time Davis Cup championship pair.
One of his most unique tennis matches was against a man he saw handing out Jello cups to a bunch of excited kids running up to the stranger at the Y in Manlius. That Jello cup man turned out to be former actor and comedian, Bill Cosby.  "If you make it big, don't forget me and remember to bank with me!", Hal said to Bill Cosby after a fun tennis match many years ago. "He made it big, but the bank deposit never came," Hal said jokingly. When recalling the tennis match with Bill Cosby, Hal said very humbly "ehh, I played a pretty good game" – which was the same response he gave when asked about the 100+ titles he has won over his life. Hal describes himself as a "pretty good" tennis player. His partner Marylyn, a great support system for him, encourages him to stay humble.
It takes a lot of respect and maturity to experience so much athletic success and not turn into a cocky or arrogant person. Hal is an inspiration to many people, athletes and non-athletes. There's a lot to be learned from Hal, from the way he remains level-headed and humble, to the way he handles wins and losses. "I try to win and lose the same. It's something I got from my dad," Hal said. It takes a lot of fortitude, mindfulness, and respect for the game to have that mindset especially being the top competitor that Hal was. Hal's positive attitude and athletic success is what led him to become a very well-deserved member of the Nottingham High School Wall of Fame. Hal also earned the Letterwinner of Distinction Award, presented by the Syracuse Varsity Club (now known as the Block S Club), which is the most prestigious honor a former varsity student-athlete can receive. Some other notable winners include Ernie Davis, Floyd Little and Martha Mogish.
Hal, now retired, worked many years in the banking industry and even more years playing tennis. This year is Hal's first time not playing tennis. He's resting his body a bit more nowadays although he remains a member of the Cazenovia Club, his home court. His hobbies now include walking and watching matches at the Club. You may even catch him at Drumlins supporting the women's tennis team.
