Special Recognition

Brandon Clark Courage Award:
Every coach goes through moments where a battle of some kind must be fought. Some are won, and some are lost. What we learn from, and how we fight those battles, shows what kind of courage we have. That courage can make us stronger through victory, and also in defeat. Courage to fight those battles can come on the court and also off the court. Brandon Clark fought courageously on both fronts. The most notable battle and show of courage began in 2006. Coach Clark was diagnosed with cancer and fought courageously to defeat it. He continued to coach through that battle until late November of 2009, when he lost his battle courageously. He was given the award that was named after him in early November of 2009, just one month before the TTCA convention, so that he could receive his award in front of his school at San Angelo Lakeview. In November of 2016 a new tennis complex was dedicated to Coach Brandon Clark. It bears his name today. The Brandon Clark Tennis Complex

Carey Caldwell Character Award:
An award given to a tennis coach that displays impeccable character both on and off the tennis court. This coach should be an example of Character that players, schools, communities, and fellow coaches want to exemplify. Carey Caldwell, whose name was given to this award has shown this kind of character throughout his entire coaching career and life. He is a member of the TTCA Hall of Fame and is now retired. He coached most of his career as the head tennis coach at Burkburnett High School. This award was named after Coach Caldwell in 2009.

Ike Groce Vision Award:
This award is presented to the coach that demonstrates a clear Vision for his team, players, and program. This coach doesn’t just keep that Vision for tennis, but also for life. This coach clearly knows where their program is going and knows how to motivate his players and the people around him to get the job done! Coach Groce shared his Vision in tennis while coaching Brownwood, Abilene, and Lubbock before being named the head women’s tennis coach at Oklahoma State University. In 2009 this award was named after him and was accepted by his daughter Cari Groce, the former Texas Tech women’s tennis coach. Coach Ike Groce passed away in December of 1985. He was inducted into the TTCA Hall of Fame in 1986.

Loretta Hrncir Dedication Award:
This award speaks for itself. A coach nominated for this award, and there are many deserving coaches, is clearly dedicated to the sport. They spend endless hours on the court, in the classroom, on the road, and motivating athletes and students to perform at their best! These coaches seem to have an endless amount of energy and motivation! Loretta Hrncir fits that bill to the core! After nearly forty years at North Forest School District she has spent endless amounts of time and energy promoting the game of tennis to kids of all ages! Coach Hrncir has even enlisted the help of two professional tennis players to help raise funds for her tennis programs. Bob and Mike Bryan, along with dad Wayne, have helped her program throughout the years. In 2010 this award was named after her. Coach Hrncir retired in 2011.

Kim Enocksen Integrity Award:
An award given to a tennis coach that displays qualities of honesty, strong moral principles, and great ethics in the game and in life. This award should be taken very seriously and any coach nominated for this award should be a person of the utmost integrity. Kim Enocksen has been a person with all of these characteristics! She has been respected by her players, peers, school, and community everywhere that she has coached. Coach Enocksen has coached at Sam Rayburn High School and finished her career at Kingwood High School. In 2010 this award was named after her. She retired in 2013 and was inducted into the TTCA Hall of Fame in 2014.

Jim Longbotham Leadership Award:
Every coach should be an effective leader. This award is given to a coach that clearly displays all of the leadership qualities. This coach leads by example, motivation, direction, guidance, goal setting, and are the kind of coaches that people WANT to follow and work hard for! When you think of Leadership this is the kind of coach that you think of! Jim Longbotham has spent 36 years as the tennis coach at Groesbeck High School and 40 years in education. In his “spare” time he was the city’s mayor from 1983 to 2002. He was a past president for the TTCA and was instrumental in helping to build 3A tennis in Texas, which is now 4A and recognized by the UIL. He was and is a born leader and one of the most respected coaches in Texas! In 2010 this award was named after him. Coach Longbotham was inducted into the TTCA Hall of Fame in 2013.