A Celebration of Texas Tennis: Honoring the Past, Connecting the Community
The Texas Tennis Museum & Hall of Fame brought together friends, players, coaches and supporters on October 24 for its Annual Banquet—a celebration of the sport and the people who have shaped it across Texas. As the museum’s signature annual gathering, the evening offered an opportunity to reconnect, explore tennis history and honor contributions that extend well beyond the court.
Guests had an opportunity to explore the museum, where a new wall wrap recreates the experience of standing in a player tunnel and emerging onto a stadium court. The installation brings the anticipation of stepping onto the court into the museum itself. Newly designed inductee panels offer a fresh presentation of the people whose accomplishments and contributions have shaped Texas tennis.
Live music set the mood during the cocktail reception as guests gathered to visit with friends, reconnect with fellow players and celebrate the honorees. Honey Deuces added a tennis-inspired touch to the evening, with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, supplying the vodka for the signature cocktails.
Dinner followed in the newly renovated Great Hall, where new flooring and ceiling banners provided an updated setting for the celebration. With Mike Carter serving as emcee, the program brought together recognition of the evening’s honorees and reflections on the sport’s enduring influence. Guest speaker Michael Woodson, Baylor University’s head men’s tennis coach, joined the celebration, connecting the evening’s appreciation of tennis history with the collegiate game today.
The evening’s highlight was the induction of Ken de Koning, Jai DiLouie, Ted Erck and Jack Newman into the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame. Their careers represent distinct but connected contributions to the game—from international competition and elite coaching to junior development, volunteer leadership and community service.
De Koning was honored for his accomplishments as a player, coach and mentor whose influence has reached generations of athletes. DiLouie’s career spans championship junior tennis, collegiate success and coaching at the highest levels. Erck’s achievements reflect a lasting commitment to competition, charitable work and tennis leadership, while Newman’s decades of coaching and mentorship have helped young players grow both on and off the court.
Robinson ISD’s AV Department provided the video feed and livestream, extending the celebration to family, friends and tennis supporters who could not attend in person.
While each year brings a new Hall of Fame class to honor, the Annual Banquet celebrates the entire Texas tennis community. It is an occasion to recognize familiar faces, discover stories from the sport’s past and support the museum’s work preserving those stories for future generations. Whether guests come to applaud an inductee, reconnect with friends or simply share their love of the game, they help make this annual gathering a celebration of all that Texas tennis represents.
Event Recording & Photo Gallery Watch the full program and explore event photos here
