Bio

Putting together a distinguished career as a tennis player and coach, Paul Griffith will be inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, February 12.

Griffith played tennis at Cowley College in 1975 and 1976 and was a Region VI singles and doubles champion both years. After Cowley, Griffith went on to be a two-time All-Southland Conference Selection at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette as he helped the Ragin’ Cajuns capture two Southland Conference team championships. He has gone on to serve as a successful tennis professional and has been named Tennis Professional of the Year in Louisiana as well as Tournament Director of the Year numerous times. Griffith began playing tennis in Arkansas City at nine years old at the courts at Wilson Park, which was one block from his family’s home. 

“All of my friends would meet there to play,” Griffith said. “Coach (J.C.) Louderback had a very strong tennis program and lots of activities for young players in Ark City. Every year we would play from February through July, until the next sport began. The park was a terrific place for a child to grow up around. The tennis at Cowley and in Arkansas City was some of the best in the country. Being raised in a small town I didn’t realize just how lucky I was.”

Having had the opportunity to play in Arkansas City as a junior, Griffith was fortunate to play for coach (J.C.) Louderback, for whom the tennis courts at Wilson Park are now named after.

“He had a way of getting the best out of players,” Griffith said. “Coach (Louderback) provided us with a great environment to develop our athletic skills. He was the driving force behind all the tennis players (and has been for more than 50 years) from Arkansas City. His tennis tree extends through many generations all throughout the United States. Very few tennis coaches in the country have done more for their sport. We are incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to play in Arkansas City under coach Louderback’s guidance.”

After high school, Griffith decided to play tennis at Cowley because he thoughr being a part of the Tiger tennis program was an opportunity to be a part of something great.

“Cowley County has always had a great (tennis) program and they offered a terrific curriculum,” Griffith said. “I knew that the majority of my credits would transfer to whichever major college I chose to attend.”

While at Cowley, Griffith not only excelled on the tennis court, he also served as Student Government President during his sophomore year at the school.

“There was a tremendous amount of school spirit and activity on the campus at that time,” Griffith said. “The college was starting to expand and Cowley attracted a huge number of people from all over Kansas and Oklahoma. Dr (Gwen) and Mrs. (Lu) Nelson were great role models and leaders to us all.”

Griffith enjoyed the opportunity to play for Tiger tennis coach Michael Watters, who was able to recruit some of the top tennis players from Kansas and the surrounding states. He also was grateful to make many friendships during his time at Cowley and was proud to be a part of Tiger tennis teams that finished in the top-seven at nationals during both of his years at the school.

“Both years that I was part of Cowley’s program we were blessed with some of the best people,” Griffith said. “We did everything together - going to class, playing tennis and socializing. We also spent summers together on the road playing tennis tournaments and working.”

After Cowley, Griffith put together two stellar seasons playing tennis at the University of Louisiana-Lafayette, where he is one of only two tennis players ever inducted into the University of Louisiana-Lafayette Athletic Hall of Fame. He received an Associates of Arts degree at Cowley and a Bachelor of Science degree in Math Education at the University of Louisiana. He has been a tennis professional in Louisiana for the past 30 years, and for the past 25 years has been the Director of Tennis at Oakbourne Country Club in Lafayette, Louisiana. 

“Oakbourne has 700 members, 14 tennis courts and one of the nicest golf courses in Louisiana,” Griffith said. “I have really enjoyed my time at Oakbourne and Lafayette has been a great environment in which to raise my children.”

Griffith and his wife, Sharon Landry, have been married for 30 years. The couple have three children, Lydia 28, who is a artist and massage therapist in Lafayette; a son, Steven is 26, who is a engineer with Shell Oil Company; and daughter Katie, age 24, who teaches grammar school in New Orleans.

Steven and Katie both still play tennis and both won individual state championships in Louisiana while in high school. Griffith has one grandchild, Almah, who is 3 years old.

He credits his parents, Bill and Dorothy Griffith, with helping him get to where he is today. “They supported me in everything that I did and didn’t allow me to stray too far off course,” Griffith said. “It was great having their love and support.”

Griffith considers himself lucky to have played tennis for coach Louderback and coach Watters. “Getting away from Arkansas City and being in the tennis business for the last 30 years has made me appreciate my youth and Arkansas City,” Griffith said.

Being inducted into the Tiger Athletic Hall of Fame is an honor Griffith never expected, but one he greatly deserves. “I have so many fond memories and am very thankful to Cowley for the opportunities it gave me,” Griffith said. “This honor has given me the chance to return to Arkansas City and give thanks to so many people for the outstanding childhood and the great community. Not many people have this chance.”