Former Texas A&M Men’s Tennis Coach David Kent Passes Away
Nov 04, 2015 | Men's Tennis
COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Former Texas A&M men's tennis coach David Kent passed away Tuesday evening in Cedar Park, Texas. Kent, 80, was inducted into the Texas A&M Athletics Hall of Fame in 2002 after induction to the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Men's Tennis Hall of Fame in 1998.
During a long and illustrious career, Kent became one of the most successful tennis coaches in NCAA Division I history. Over 27 seasons split between West Texas A&M and Texas A&M, Kent compiled a 516-223 record, which was the ninth best in Division I history at the time of his retirement. Kent led the Buffaloes to six Missouri Valley Conference titles and helped the Aggies to a Southwest Conference championship in 1994 and a pair of Sweet 16 NCAA berths (1985, 1994).
"I was saddened to hear of the passing of Coach Kent last evening," current Texas A&M men's tennis head coach Steve Denton said. "My sympathy is extended to the Kent family during this very difficult time. I will always remember his friendly smile and quick wit. He was a legend of our sport and will truly be missed by all who knew him."
In addition to his membership in the ITA and Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame, Kent was a member of the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame, Texas Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame and the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame. Kent remains the winningest coach in Texas A&M tennis history, 316-161, as his players won 28 Southwest Conference individual championships and 19 NCAA individual qualifiers.
"Coach was one of the most amazing people that I have had the pleasure to know in my lifetime," Texas A&M women's tennis head coach and member of Coach Dent's Aggie squad from 1990-94, Mark Weaver said. "He had an incredible impact on my life and countless others as well. There are very people few I know that exemplified the core values of Texas A&M quite like Coach Kent."
A memorial service celebrating Coach Kent's life will be held on Friday, November 13, 2015, at 11a.m. (CT) at Northwest Fellowship, 13427 Pond Springs Road in Austin, TX, where his son, Pastor Trey Kent, will officiate. A private interment will follow at the "Aggie Field of Honor," 3800 Raymond Stotzer Parkway in College Station, TX.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a gift to the David Kent Emerging Leaders Fund that supports Northwest Fellowship's leadership development efforts among low-income communities. Donations can be sent to Northwest Fellowship, 13427 Pond Springs Road, Austin, TX 78729 (Kent Emerging Leaders Fund on memo line).
During a long and illustrious career, Kent became one of the most successful tennis coaches in NCAA Division I history. Over 27 seasons split between West Texas A&M and Texas A&M, Kent compiled a 516-223 record, which was the ninth best in Division I history at the time of his retirement. Kent led the Buffaloes to six Missouri Valley Conference titles and helped the Aggies to a Southwest Conference championship in 1994 and a pair of Sweet 16 NCAA berths (1985, 1994).
"I was saddened to hear of the passing of Coach Kent last evening," current Texas A&M men's tennis head coach Steve Denton said. "My sympathy is extended to the Kent family during this very difficult time. I will always remember his friendly smile and quick wit. He was a legend of our sport and will truly be missed by all who knew him."
In addition to his membership in the ITA and Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame, Kent was a member of the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame, Texas Tennis Coaches Hall of Fame and the Panhandle Sports Hall of Fame. Kent remains the winningest coach in Texas A&M tennis history, 316-161, as his players won 28 Southwest Conference individual championships and 19 NCAA individual qualifiers.
"Coach was one of the most amazing people that I have had the pleasure to know in my lifetime," Texas A&M women's tennis head coach and member of Coach Dent's Aggie squad from 1990-94, Mark Weaver said. "He had an incredible impact on my life and countless others as well. There are very people few I know that exemplified the core values of Texas A&M quite like Coach Kent."
A memorial service celebrating Coach Kent's life will be held on Friday, November 13, 2015, at 11a.m. (CT) at Northwest Fellowship, 13427 Pond Springs Road in Austin, TX, where his son, Pastor Trey Kent, will officiate. A private interment will follow at the "Aggie Field of Honor," 3800 Raymond Stotzer Parkway in College Station, TX.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a gift to the David Kent Emerging Leaders Fund that supports Northwest Fellowship's leadership development efforts among low-income communities. Donations can be sent to Northwest Fellowship, 13427 Pond Springs Road, Austin, TX 78729 (Kent Emerging Leaders Fund on memo line).
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