Bio

Gavaska Williams, also known as Bounce, is arguably one of the best tennis players in the rich history of Cowley College tennis program. Williams will be recognized for his accomplishments when he is inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame on January 27, 2018.

Williams was born and raised in Antigua until coming to the United State at age 14 for tennis academy and schooling.

Prior to Cowley, he was a top-5 ranked junior in the state of Texas, and was the No. 1 ranked junior in the Eastern Caribbean as a member of the Eastern Caribbean Davis Cup team.

He followed his cousin, Chris Richards, to Cowley as Richards was a year ahead of Williams in school.

Williams made an immediate impact as he was the singles and doubles national champion and region champion in singles and doubles in his one year at Cowley. He scored the final point to clinch the 1991 national championship for the Tiger tennis team and served as the team-captain and leader of the team.

“He was the best player I ever coached and he was the leader of the most talented team I ever coached,” legendary Tiger tennis coach Larry Grose said.

Williams enjoyed the opportunity to play for coach Grose and the season he spent at Cowley.

“Coach Grose was fun to play for, as he was easy going and gave us freedom to play our game,” Williams said. “My year at Cowley gave me a glimpse into what’s expected of me both academically and as an athlete. As a member of the tennis team, I enjoyed spending time with my teammates on and off the court.”

Williams went on to win a second national title at Tyler Junior College as a sophomore and then played two years of tennis at NCAA Division I Arkansas University. He was ranked as high as No. 3 in the nation with his doubles partner at Arkansas and helped the Razorbacks to a top-10 ranking.

He earned his degree in Human Resources and later played on the satellite pro circuit after graduation.

Williams has spent the past 15 years in the real estate business in Los Angeles, CA and remained connected to tennis by serving as an instructor for three years where he trained nationally ranked junior tennis players.

Williams looks back fondly on the 1991 national championship team.

“We were a small school in a small town with a diverse team, so it made it extra special,” Williams said. “We were a strong team because we had a group of guys who loved the sport and it was competitive playing from 1-6 in the lineup.”

Williams looks forward to returning to Cowley College for the first time in more than 26 years.

“It’s been a long time and I can imagine the school has changed quite a bit since I was there,” Williams said. “I am honored to be selected for induction into the Hall of Fame. This induction is very special because it recognizes not only my personal accomplishments, but also the accomplishments of my teammates.”