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 state team titles, Abilene High has two state team titles and Wylie has won 14 state team titles. Groce was with the AISD from 1969-1976, and then moved to Brownwood High School, where he also began the tennis program and laid the framework for continued growth and success there. Later, Groce coached at Oklahoma State, where he won five consecutive Big 8 championships before his passing in 1986.
