All In The Schwartz Family

By Eliot Schickler

The Schwartz family is the bridge between the Brookline High boys tennis team’s last two state titles.

Howard Schwartz (Class ’84) and his younger brother Marc Schwartz (Class ’86) played at first and second singles, respectively for Brookline’s 1983 Division 1 State Championship. It came full circle 35 years later when Marc’s son Noah played at second singles for the 2018 Division 1 champion Warriors. Just like his father, Noah was a freshman on the latest edition of Brookline’s glory days on the courts.

“We loved it, our parents loved it,” Howard Schwartz said. “It was a part of our lives, and it took a lot of hard work.”

In Brookline’s penultimate match, it won convincingly, 5-0 over Marlborough. The Warriors were the overwhelming favorite and it wasn’t a matter of if they were going to win but when they were going to confirm their victory (the overall match lasted less than an hour). To add luster to the Schwartz name, it was Noah who won the match which gave Brookline a 3-0 lead to clinch the overall match.

“Howard and I were thrilled that it was Noah who reversed the curse,” Marc Schwartz said. “It was exciting and brings a lot of pride for Brookline and Brookline tennis. Thirty-five years is a long draught.”

The youngest Schwartz credits his father and uncle for the path he chose and the success which came with it.

“They taught me tennis and got me into the sport,” Noah Schwartz said. “If it weren’t for them, I probably wouldn’t be in the sport.”

Following their career at Brookline, Howard and Marc Schwartz played tennis for the University of Wisconsin. Marc made the All-Big 10 team twice and Howard was on the All-Academic Big 10 team.

Noah Schwartz isn’t the only offspring of Brookline’s past tennis heroes who is playing the sport. Howard Schwartz lives in Newton and his daughter Kayla Schwartz played first singles for Newton South for three years before giving it up this past year because she wanted to enjoy her senior year. Although Kayla hung up her racket, her two younger brothers played for Newton South with freshman Zach Schwartz playing at first singles and Jake Schwartz playing both singles and doubles for the Lions. Zach Schwartz was selected to the Boston Globe All-Scholastic Team and is ranked 22nd in New England.

Newton South lost 4-1 to Lexington in the Division 1 quarterfinals. Lexington is the team Brookline edged 3-2 in the Eastern Massachusetts Finals (or State semifinals) in what was the de facto state championship match.

“We were hoping for Newton South to play Brookline in the state semifinals, but this is the next best thing,” Howard Schwartz said. “It’s pretty special that my nephew broke the streak.”

If things go according to plan, Noah Schwartz won’t be the last player from the Schwartz family to play tennis at Brookline. He has two younger brothers, Benjy, who is 13 years old and will enter eighth grade this fall at Solomon Schechter, and Jordan, 11, who will be a sixth grader in September at Solomon Schechter. Just like their father and uncle, Noah and Benjy could be teammates in 2020 with the two brothers being two grades apart. Two years later, Benjy and Jordan could be teammates as well under the same scenario.

“It’s great, we’re always talking about it every day,” said Noah Schwartz. “We talk about how much fun it is, the journey, and the process.”

And if all goes to plan, the Warriors won’t have to wait 35 years for their next title. They could be a dynasty on the outdoor court, just like an NBA team with the same nickname, which hails from Golden State and rules the NBA roost.

“They get along great, and if we keep the band together, we’ll be good,” Marc Schwartz said. “Brookline has a great tradition of tennis. Finally, we got over the hump.”

Photos by University of Wisconsin Athletics

Top photo, Brookline alumnus Howard Schwartz played at first singles for Brookline's 1983 Division 1 State Championship team. Schwartz graduated from Brookline in 1984 before heading to the University of Wisconsin, earning All-Big 10 Academic Team honors.

Bottom photo, Brookline alumnus Marc Schwartz (Class '86) played at second singles for the 1983 champion Warriors and is Howard's younger brother. Marc also went to Wisconsin, earning All-Big 10 team honors, twice, and his son Noah played at second singles for Brookline's Division 1 State Championship team, which broke a 35-year state title drought.