Ian Hinkamper developed into one of the best singles players in the history of the Quincy Notre Dame boys tennis program, winning three sectional singles championships and qualifying for the state tournament all four years.
He was a pretty solid linebacker for the football team as well.
Hinkamper won the sectional championship as a senior, beating Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin’s Sam Vaughn 6-1, 6-3 in the title match. Hinkamper won his first three matches at the state tournament, all in straight sets, before losing a pair of three-set matches to finish in the top 32.
As a junior, Hinkamper won the sectional championship at Springfield, beating Springfield High’s Ross White 6-1, 7-6 in the title match. He won his first two matches at the state tournament and finished 3-2 overall and in the top 48 in singles play.
As a sophomore, Hinkamper was the sectional runner-up, losing to Springfield’s Patrick Gaffigan 6-2, 6-4 in the finals. He went 3-2 at the state tournament, losing in the fifth round of the consolation bracket.
As a freshman, Hinkamper defeated Springfield’s Tom Shull 5-7, 6-1, 6-4 to win the sectional singles championship. He went 3-2 at the state tournament, reaching the fourth round of the consolation bracket.
Hinkamper started at linebacker for the QND football team for two seasons, earning first-team all-area honors from the Quincy Herald-Whig as a junior and second-team all-area plaudits as a senior, while racking up more than 150 career tackles.
Hinkamper played tennis at Quincy University, where he was a four-time All-Great Lakes Valley Conference selection, a two-time GLVC Player of the Week and a four-time academic all-conference selection who won 75 career singles matches and 70 career doubles matches.
A Note of Thanks
I want to extend a huge thank you to the Quincy Notre Dame Hall of Fame for this incredible honor. To be inducted alongside so many talented athletes and teams is truly humbling, and I am grateful to be recognized for my time on the tennis team.
This honor wouldn’t be possible without the love and support of my parents, Ric and Monica Hinkamper. From the very beginning, they encouraged me to chase my goals, and their many sacrifices to send me and my sister to Notre Dame made everything I accomplished possible.
I especially want to thank my mom, who was not only my biggest supporter but also my coach. Her guidance, patience, and belief in me shaped not only my tennis career but also the person I am today. The lessons she taught me, and continues to instill in me — about sacrifice, perseverance, and character—will always stay with me.
A special thank you as well to my wife and kids, who patiently listen to all of my high school athletic stories—probably more than they’d like to! Their love, encouragement, and willingness to share in this journey mean the world to me.
Thank you again to the Hall of Fame committee, my family, my former teammates, and everyone who has been part of this journey. I’m truly honored and forever grateful.
-Ian Hinkamper