Multi-talented almost doesn’t go far enough in describing the career of John Jevitz. Somewhere in there you would have to add the terms “dominant” and “excellence” because he certainly was that. He earned a total of eight letters at Augustana, four each in swimming and tennis and he served as team captain in both sports. In addition, he was selected as the team’s Most Valuable Performer in both sports after his senior season.
His entire career was tremendous but he saved the best for last during his senior year of 1981-82. In swimming he helped lead his team to the CCIW title in 1982, the last Augustana team championship in that sport, by placing third in the 400 individual medley, fourth in the 100 breaststroke and fifth in the 200 breaststroke. When the swim season ended, he picked up the tennis racket and proceeded to earn conference MVP honors when he won the number one singles title with an easy 6-2; 6-3 victory over John Robertson of Illinois Wesleyan in the title match. He also combined with long-time doubles partner Steve Miller to win the number one doubles crown and in the process lead the Vikings to the team title with 25 points.
His success of over 20 years ago is still evident as he still ranks in the top 10 in two events in swimming. His time of 2:18.70 in the 200 breaststroke is sixth on the all-time list while his 1:03.18 clocking in the 100 breaststroke is ninth. Both of those efforts took place in his senior year of 1982.
He was always at his best when the stakes were highest at the end of the year. In four CCIW meets during his career, he earned all-conference honors every year in a total of 10 events: four in the 100 breaststroke, three in the 200 breaststroke, twice in the 200 individual medley and once in the 400 individual medley.
As a tennis player he held down the number one singles and number one doubles positions for all four years. He won the number one singles title in the CCIW twice (1981 and 1982) and teamed with Miller to capture three number one doubles championships (1980, 81 and 82). During his career he posted a 51-21 singles record, the sixth highest number of wins in Augustana history. Along with Miller, he posted a school record 62-18 record at number one doubles.
He was instrumental in helping the Vikings win CCIW team titles in 1980, 81 and 82 and during his career Augustana was 38-13 in dual meets while playing some of the best teams in the Midwest. He was part of a team that in 1981 won all six singles and all three doubles titles in the conference tournament, the first time that had ever happened in the history of the CCIW.
Born in Joliet, Illinois, Jevitz came to Augustana out of Ottawa Township High School in Ottawa, Illinois where he was voted the third best athlete of the decade. He graduated from Augustana in 1982 with majors in both pre-medicine and pre-law. After graduation, he attended the National College of Chiropractic in Lombard, Illinois, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in 1985 and a Doctor of Chiropractic in 1987. A member of numerous professional associations and the author of five self-help books, Jevitz is an extremely active participant in community affairs and outreach. He owns and operates Jevitz Chiropractic Clinic in Elmhurst and he has served as the team physician/athletic trainer for seven high schools and numerous professional teams in the Chicago area. He also has been involved in setting up scholarships for young people who want to further their education.
John and his wife Laura have two sons: John (12) and Jake (9) and reside in Elmhurst.
