Bussiere Clobbers Clark and Pokoski in Tennis

by Biff Burns

The soft spring winds could not cool off Myrna Bussiere, as she breezed to a 6-0,7-5 victory over Professor Emeritus Ron Clark and Professor Soon To Be Emeritus John Pokoski at the UNH tennis courts on the fateful morning of May 17, 2001.

Pokoski had formally challenged Bussiere, reigning UNH women’s intramural champion, to the match in early May by dropping his gauntlet (a winter glove) in front of her at the beginning of the senior controls class which she was taking from him. Unfortunately for Pokoski, Bussiere accepted the challenge by picking up the gauntlet.

Since both professors are geriatrically challenged, Bussiere graciously agreed to play them simultaneously (doubles against singles). She was a bit non-plussed by the sight of Clark attaching his mechanical knee just before the match. She almost managed to hide her smile (smirk) when Pokoski unwrapped his wooden, Chrissy Evert model racket, and informed her that this was the first time he had held a racket since before she was born.

A tremendous crowd was on hand for the event, including Bussiere’s ROTC commander, and about seven ECE seniors. The cheering seemed to indicate that Myrna was the home-town favorite.

As soon as the match began, Bussiere attacked the non-existent backhand of Pokoski for a series of winners, adding injury to insult with an overhand smash to his mid-section, which brought him cringing to his knees. After a while, the experience of the professors paid dividends as the rangy Pokoski repeatedly rushed the net for an occasional winner, forcing Myrna to drop short lobs in front of Clark, playing deep, who displayed his repertoire of semi-smooth ground strokes. But it was too little, too late. However, the professors considered the outing a success since they are still alive.

After the match, the participants mingled with the crowd, and Pokoski was surprised by a presentation from the seniors of a framed photo of the senior class with an appropriate engraving in honor of his retirement. In a private interview with the author later, Pokoski confided that he was deeply touched by their thoughtfulness.