Hall of Fame
While most know Rex Davis as the men’s tennis coach at Washington State, his time as a Cougar is far more widespread. His association began in 1949 when he enrolled at Washington State and continued for a majority of the next four decades. In that time, Davis grew from a gymnastics student-athlete, to gymnastics coach, tennis coach, all this while being a fulltime professor of physical education. As a gymnast, Davis captained the 1953 team and earned three letters, while as being a member of the WSU cheer squad. He returned to WSU in 1966 to teach and lead the men’s gymnastics program, one year later adding men’s tennis to his coaching resume. From 1967 until 94, when the men’s tennis program was discontinued, Davis led the way, amassing 269 victories. He took on coaching duties for the women’s team as well from 1983-90, collecting another 91 wins, giving him 360 all-time wins, fourth among all coaches in WSU history. Even more impressive is that fact that among all his players who spent two years under his tutelage, all but one graduated. In 1995 Davis cemented his Cougar legacy as the WSU tennis courts were named in his honor and only hours later, he was presented with the WSU Alumni Achievement Award.
