Grose Inducted into Hall

PLANO, Texas — Larry Grose, who has taken his men’s tennis team to the National Junior College Athletic Association Tournament 13 out of 15 seasons, was inducted into the NJCAA Men’s Tennis Hall of Fame during a banquet May 12 at Collin County Community College. Grose, who just completed his 15th season as head coach of the Tigers, joins former long-time coach and instructor Mike Watters in the Hall of Fame. Watters was inducted in 2000. Glen Moser, head tennis coach at Johnson County, nominated Grose for the award and presented him at the banquet. The event was held prior to the start of the 2002 national tournament.

Grose has led the Tigers to two Division II national championships, in 1989 and 1991. Both years he was named NJCAA Coach of the Year. He also has led Cowley to nine Region VI titles, two runner-up finishes, and coached 28 All-Americans. He served as national awards chairman from 1998-2001. “I am extremely honored and humble to accept this award,” Grose said. “It makes me feel good to be recognized by my peers. I have thoroughly enjoyed my years coaching tennis.” Grose was a two-time state doubles champion at Arkansas City High School, compiling an impressive 53-2 record with doubles partner John Guyot. That effort helped the Bulldogs to two regional and two state titles.

At the collegiate level, Grose played two years at Wichita State University and two years at Oklahoma State University, where he reached the finals of the Big Eight Conference No. 2 doubles his junior year and at No. 1 doubles his senior year. He finished runner-up both times.

Summer 2002