Campaign News

May 23, 2007

Jim Timmins '76, Trinity tennis coach Butch Newman '65, and Trustee Miles Cortez '64, all former Tiger tennis players, hold the groundbreaking shovels for the Clarence Mabry Pavilion at Delavan Tennis Stadium. Seated is longtime coach Clarence Mabry and to his left is Trinity President John R. Brazil.

Groundbreaking for Mabry Pavilion

By James Hill

There was a family reunion May 12 at the Delavan Tennis Stadium.

At least, it had the atmosphere of a family reunion as members of the Trinity community assembled for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Clarence Mabry Pavilion at Delavan Tennis Stadium.

The group gathered to launch the construction of the pavilion to be named after longtime Tiger men’s tennis coach Clarence Mabry.  It will serve as a press box and tournament center for Trinity varsity tennis matches.

So far, more than a half a million dollars in gifts and pledges have been secured for this project with an ultimate goal of $1 million to add covered seating, new stadium lights, and endowment funds for the tennis program. Construction of the pavilion will begin in June and is expected to be complete by early fall.

Two Hall of Fame Coaches side by side: Houston Wheeler '41, a former Tiger baseball coach, and Clarence Mabry. Both were inducted into the Trinity Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.

“This facility will honor the father of Trinity tennis,” said University President John R. Brazil.  “It will serve as a focal point for an outstanding Trinity program, whose participants excel on the court and in the classroom.”

Mabry, 81, was present for the ceremony and beamed as he was reunited with former players and contributors.  He led the Tigers from 1956 to 1974 and amassed a record of 319-36.  Trinity captured the NCAA Division I National Championship in 1972.  Mabry coached 10 All-Americans, including Dick Stockton’72, who won the NCAA singles title the same year.  He was inducted into the inaugural Trinity University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1999.  Mabry is also a member of the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Hall of Fame, the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame, the San Antonio Sports Hall of Fame, and the University of Texas Hall of Honor.

The driving force behind the Mabry Pavilion was Jim Timmins ’76, a former Tiger tennis standout.  Timmins, a member of the National Alumni Board, played a major role in fundraising for the project.  He was a Tiger competitor from 1973-76 and racked up a 70-15 singles record.

Jim Timmins, Butch Newman, and Clarence Mabry reminisce and share a laugh at the Mabry Pavilion groundbreaking ceremony.

A key member of the “Pavilion team” is current Trinity men’s and women’s tennis coach Butch Newman ’65.  The two-time All-American and Trinity University Athletic Hall of Fame inductee holds Trinity’s all-time singles record with a 53-2 mark.  He has led the Tigers since 1986.  Newman coached the men’s and women’s teams to the NCAA Division III Championships in 2000.

“The Pavilion will be a great addition to Trinity’s tennis facilities,” Newman said.  “It will provide a centralized hub for matches, team meetings, and a place to display Trinity tennis trophies and memorabilia.”

Newman, who considers Mabry to be his mentor, paid a special tribute to his coach.  “Coach Mabry taught me the principle of ‘S-A-T’ when I was a player, and I use this acronym with my players.  You first have to be a person with spiritual values, then focus on academics, and then tennis.”  He introduced his current Tiger players to Mabry, some of whom had just earned degrees from Trinity earlier the same day.

Butch Newman introduces current Tiger men's player David Tran '08, to the "Father of Trinity Tennis" Clarence Mabry.

Also representing the University was Director of Athletics Bob King, who worked with Newman and Timmins on the development of the Pavilion.

Mabry also was surrounded by a large number of well-wishers and former players.  In addition to Newman and Timmins, other Tiger tennis alumni present were Trinity Trustee Miles Cortez ’64, Jimmy Moses ‘60, John Newman’60, and Chip Massey ’67.

The Mabry Pavilion is the result of the giving to The Campaign for Trinity University, a $200 million fund drive for additional scholarships and financial aid, enhanced faculty research and program initiatives, and facility improvements.

For more information about the Mabry Pavilion project or if you would like to make a contribution to this effort, please e-mail Rick Roberts at rroberts@trinity.edu.