Cattle To Courts: A History of Tennis In Texas

Description

In this comprehensive volume, anecdotes and personal observations explore how Texas became a leader of America's "Tennis Boom" through national and international events. In addition to showing how Texas communities and statewide tennis organizations contributed to the sport's growth, the book highlights the stories of American tennis' most special characters and personalities. The extremely well versed McAllister shares unique insights from his 50 years in the tennis industry.

Ken McAllister has served the tennis industry for more than 50 years, most notably as the Executive Director of the USTA Texas Section for 24 years, more than doubling tennis membership and staff during his tenure. He started his long association with tennis in 1967 when he became an officer for the Texas Tennis Coaches Association and its President from 1971-74. He also served as Director of Tennis at Walden on Lake Conroe, Lakeside Country Club in Houston, and Lakeway World of Tennis in Austin. He also is a long-time member and contributor to the USPTA, serving as a Texas division president from 1977-79. He has been inducted into the Texas Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame (2000), Snyder High School Athletic Hall of Fame (2010), Southwestern University Athletic Hall of Fame (2013), and the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame (2012).

"I love the fact that even though Cattle To Courts covers Texas Tennis History, it is not text book reading... It reads like a novel. Ken has produced a must-read for tennis fans." -- Zina Garrison, Olympic Gold Medallist; Wimbledon singles finalist "Nobody knows Texas tennis like Ken McAllister, who for six decades has played, coached, and watched the sport all over the state. Cattle to Courts is full of anecdotes, history, and great details from the only guy to both call a footfault on Bobby Riggs and beat Warren Beatty." -- Michael Hall, Texas Monthly "Cattle to Courts is enjoyable trip down memory lane and a nice historical reference on tennis in Texas. Ken endured exhaustive research for this special project, which, no doubt for him was a labour of love" -- Cliff Drysdale, ESPN commentator and International Tennis Hall of Fame member