San Antonio - A reunion of Trinity men's tennis legends and supporters has been an annual event in Vail Valley, Colorado, for the past 15 years.

Although the players are in their 70s, these wily veterans can still hang with the best of them on a tennis court. Trinity Trustee Miles Cortez, Director of Tennis Butch Newman, Bobby Joyner, Ken Smith, and Trustee Emeritus and reunion host Cliff Buchholz represent an era which put Trinity University on the college tennis map.

Cortez and Joyner represented the Trinity Class of 1964. Newman and Buchholz were key members of the Class of 1965. Longtime Tiger tennis supporter Ken Smith also is a 1965 graduate and is an ordained minister who earlier performed the marriage rites of Buchholz and his wife, Mary. 

The Trinity teams of 1962-1965 racked up 78 consecutive victories, setting an NCAA record. Included in the historic run was the late Chuck McKinley, who went on to win the Wimbledon singles title in 1963. Newman and McKinley also became Trinity's first tennis All-Americans, following the 1963 season. 

Newman posted a career singles record of 53-2, the best individual mark in Trinity history. Buchholz earned All-America honors in 1965 and was an NCAA Doubles quarterfinalist with Newman the same year. Newman picked up his second All-America accolade, as well.

Cortez and Joyner were both major contributors to Trinity's undefeated seasons and record-setting campaigns. Cortez was a doubles partner of the late Al Hill Jr. Joyner and Frank Froehling, who could not attend the reunion, chalked up a 17-0 doubles record from 1961-1963

Newman, Cortez, Buchholz, Hill, and Froehling have also been elected to the Trinity University Athletic Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame Committee Chair is Trinity Director of Athletics Bob King, who also joined the group for a day to host a small reception in honor of the entire legendary group.

According to Newman, the conversation among these veterans always turns to the legendary McKinley and their undefeated seasons. 

However, Newman has a special insight into the current group of Tiger players. He was head coach of the Tiger men's team from 1986-2009, which included competition at the NCAA Division I level. Newman served, as the women's head coach from 1991-2008. A crowning moment occurred in 2000, when Trinity's men's and women's teams captured the NCAA Division III Championship.

“We also talk about the current strength of our teams and their chances to compete for another NCAA title,” said Newman of the Rocky Mountain conclave. “Our facilities need to stay ahead of our competitors to recruit top student-athletes. We also talk about how our teams will have had successful seasons, by the time we meet next year!”