Washington College Magazine
Tennis Coach Wins Toughest Match
Today, Tim Gray '86 is head women's tennis coach at Auburn University, a plum assignment by any standard. He's proven he can transform programs with a personal touch. An extraordinary tennis player, Gray was an early recruit as Fred Wyman set about building a national caliber team. And it is as a tennis coach that Gray has also excelled.
Tim Gray '86, pictured here with wife Suzanne and their sons Taylor and Brandon, landed his dream job as women's tennis coach at Auburn University.
Taking over duties from Wyman in 1992, Gray coached the men's tennis team for four seasons, from 1992-95, compiling a 71-14 record.
One of Gray's most memorable moments came in 1994, when his team captured the NCAA Division III championship—the College's first national tennis crown. "Winning the crown ranks way up there at the top," says Gray. "That team was special because it was primarily freshmen. And besides being great athletes, they were great people, who had great character."
The 1994 championship propelled Gray's career. "It opened doors for me professionally; I wouldn't be where I am today without it." When Gray was at Florida Southern, his squad captured the first Sunshine State Conference Championship in 2000. Gray left Florida Southern in 2002 after seven successful seasons with an overall record of 122-61.
During his two years at Eastern Michigan University, Gray's men's tennis team received its first victory over Michigan State University. There have been many wins throughout Gray's coaching career, but his greatest victory has been against cancer. "Nothing takes your breath away like the 'C' word," notes Gray's wife, Suzanne Ruppert Gray '87. Gray never missed a practice.
"I continued coaching throughout my treatments because I saw many people who had it worse [than me] and didn't make it. I did not want to feel sorry for myself."
With the cancer behind him, Tim Gray is in his first season at Auburn University, and he already has a goal in mind: the NCAA Championship that has perpetually eluded Auburn's women.
"Throughout history," remarks wife Suzanne, "there are notable individuals who accomplish great things: individuals who lead revolutions, individuals who invent life-saving devices, individuals whose entrepreneurial gifts create jobs for the masses.
And then there are others whose ordinary presence positively changes everyone they meet. People change when they meet Tim, which is the foundation of his gift for coaching. After hitting with him for the first time in Auburn, one of his new players said that Coach Gray had already taught her new techniques... that he was 'more than just a coach,' he was also a teacher. Here he goes again. Day one and already the team has improved."
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