Remembering Murray Coulter

Born in 1932, Murray was a cornerstone of the Lubbock community and a true friend to all.

Murray's dedication to USTA Texas was immense. He served as President of the organization from 1997-1998 and would continue serving on more than 10 different committees including as a former Chair of the Constitution & Rules Committee for several terms. Most recently, Murray contributed his wisdom to the Awards Committee as well as serving on the Board of Directors until his very recent retirement from volunteering. A previous winner of the WT Caswell Lifetime Achievement Award, this year marked 46 years of Murray’s service to USTA Texas. 

At the national level, Murray represented USTA Texas as Delegate following his Section Presidency. He would go on to serve on many other committees at the national level including Executive, Adult/Senior Competition, Collegiate, and Sports Science. Murray once shared that he first started volunteering due to his love of the sport and “the positive benefits it could provide to others as well as myself.”

Beyond his volunteer service, Murray earned a PhD from UCLA and dedicated his career to science working in the Botany and Plant Science department at Cal St. Northridge and later the Space Science Center at UCLA. He became a distinguished Biology professor and maintained professor emeritus status at Texas Tech University. 

Despite his many accolades, Murray will be remembered most for his kind and quiet yet strong leadership. He truly did everything for all the right reasons, leaving an indelible mark on everyone he met. He was the embodiment of the USTA Texas values we all strive to represent. It will not be the same to attend our upcoming meetings without seeing him, with his beloved Ingrid by his side.

Texas tennis has lost a true legend and icon when Murray passed away earlier this year, but the lasting impact of Murray’s leadership and legacy and love for tennis, USTA Texas, and all of its people will undoubtedly endure.