May 24, 2025 | Coach, Impact Award, Inductees, Tennis
Ike Groce is considered the “Father of Tennis in Abilene.” He came to Abilene in 1969 and was the junior high tennis coordinator for the Abilene Independent School District. Because of the foundation that Groce laid with youth tennis in Abilene, Cooper has won four...
May 23, 2025 | Inductees, Legends, Tennis
The late Fred Kniffen was a state champion tennis player for the Clyde Bulldogs. He played tennis at Hardin-Simmons and is in HSU’s Hall of Fame. Kniffen was Abilene Cooper’s first tennis coach prior to moving to Tyler, where he started the tennis program at Tyler...
Feb 2, 2024 | Athlete, Awards, Inductees, Legacy Award, Tennis
The 2023 Legacy Award recipients are the MEYERS BROTHERS from Abilene Cooper – Chip, Mike, Rick, Scott and David. They have the distinction of being the only family in the history of USTA Texas Tennis to win the USTA Texas’ biggest and most prestigious tournament, the...
Feb 2, 2024 | Athlete, Coach, Inductees, Tennis
KIM GIDLEY played tennis at Abilene High and Abilene Christian University, earning all-American honors at ACU while leading the Wildcats to a NCAA Division II national runner-up finish. She was ranked No. 5 nationally in singles and No. 6 in doubles and was invited to...
May 9, 2022 | Athlete, Coach, Tennis
KATHRYN GILREATH helped Cooper High School to a 3-year record of 57-0 and three consecutive 5A team tennis state championships. She played No.1 singles all four years. In the spring of 1993, she was a state quarterfinalist in doubles, a state semifinalist in doubles...
May 23, 2016 | Athlete, Tennis
Brandon Hawk of Clyde is one of the top tennis players to come out of the Big Country. He reached a No. 1 ranking in Texas in both singles and doubles and a No. 1 ranking in doubles and No. 5 in singles nationally as a junior tennis player. Although his national...
