Fullerton College Centennial

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ALUMNI STORIES: LORI SHERBECK-MCMAHON

LORI SHERBECK-MCMAHON

Playing in the ten & under division, Lori Sherbeck-McMahon won her first tournament at the Balboa Bay Club. She would then go on to win all of the ten & under tournaments in Southern California.

When she was twelve years old, Lori was ranked No. 1 in Southern California and No. 7 nationally in singles and No. 2 in doubles. She would be nationally ranked in the top ten throughout her teens.

In 1969, Lori went to El Dorado High where she was the No. 1 High School State player until she graduated in 1972. In 1973 she attended Fullerton College where she became a nationally ranked junior college player after winning the State Title at Ojai. This enabled her to qualify to play in the NCAA tournament in Alabama where she traveled with her coach Ann Read. At this tournament, Lori placed 5th nationally in women’s collegiate tennis.

In 1975, Lori was offered a full tennis scholarship to the University of Utah. Women were not receiving college tennis scholarships as of yet in California. At the #1 singles position at the U. of U., she captured the Intermountain Championship title, was All-American and the Western Athletic Champion. She was also ranked 4th in the nation after competing in the NCAA Championships in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

With her college days behind her, Lori went on to play professionally on the Avon Pro Circuit. In 1978 she made it to the U.S. Open in Mixed Doubles with former pro, Jim Osborne. Lori continued to live in Salt Lake City, Utah and started teaching tennis as a certified USPTA teaching professional. She continued to play in National Senior tournaments and placed 5th in the nation in the Women’s 35’s.

Lori is the daughter of legendary football coach Hal Sherbeck whose thirty year winning record as the Head Football coach at Fullerton College is unsurpassed in the nation.

Lori attributes her love of the game and many of her successes in life and tennis to her mother Dona. “She will always be my dedicated life-long coach, friend and inspiration. She was an incredible influence with so much joy, love and strength that she gave unselfishly to all of us. I miss her so much. She sings in my heart each and every day.”