Connel Edward Avery deWitt
Dr Avery deWitt A Tennis Champion
Although born in Chester on Nova Scotia’s South Shore, Avery deWitt came to Wolfville as child. After attending Horton Collegiate, he entered Acadia University with the class of 1904. Once there he was “best known as an athlete. He played on all his class teams throughout his course and in his Senior year on all college teams. In his Junior year he was Single Champion in tennis. On the field on in the rink “Ave” was most noticeable for his “style” and dash....He fairly revelled in turning double air springs on the Foot-ball field, or shooting goals at Basket-Ball when tied in a double bow knot, or jumping a dozen sticks or so and making circles all over the ice.” DeWitt received both an athletic “A” and his class numerals for sports participation.
After his 1904 graduation, deWitt attended McGill University where he received his medical degree in 1909.Following a year of study in Germany, he and his family returned to Wolfville where he established a medical practice and once again became involved in sport, particularly hockey and tennis. He was a key member of the Wolfville Lawn Tennis Club and played competitive tennis provincially through the 1920s and early 1930s. In 1921, he and his doubles partner placed second the in provincial finals and in 1931 was still winning singles matches for the Wolfville Lawn Tennis Club. DeWitt was active in the governance of local sports and often served as an official for school, college and town sports events. In 1919 he was appointed physician to Acadia University and thus became the team doctor for events held in Wolfville; he held this post until 1956.
(Acadia Athenaeum Nov 1904, 19)
