SPORTS

LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS: Bowie Tennis Association has staying power

Published

12 years ago

11/14/2014

By ERIC VICCARO
bnewssports@sbcglobal.net

While tennis leagues in even larger communities falter, the Bowie Tennis Association has proven to have the staying power of a Wimbledon fifth set between John Isner and Nicolas Mahut.
“Wichita Falls has had trouble keeping their tennis leagues going,” Bowie Tennis Association treasurer Janice Robertson, who owns Bowie Floral, said. “We have dedicated people that have stuck with it. We now have high school kids keeping it going.”
For Robertson, playing tennis provides social and recreational opportunities.
“I enjoy it,” she said. “It’s fun and it’s exercise. I get to know new people. It’s a way for me to compete.”
Robertson teams up with Cindy Eichler in the women’s league, and with Bowie High School student Michael Shaw in the mixed division.
The Bowie Tennis Association was the brainchild of several women, including local business professionals Sue Swint and Donna Ashley. Ashley runs a photography studio in downtown. Swint is a realtor.
The organization started in 1986.
At present, there are about 50 people in the league, which has a yearly banquet in the spring to hand out awards. The group has two other formal meetings each year. There are club officers, and six directors that serve on a rotating basis. Read more in the weekend Bowie News.

Former Bowie High School tennis player Kaity Hanson, hitting a forehand during a mixed doubles match on Nov. 6, still plays the sport through The Bowie Association. The association has been a fixture here for 28 years. (News photo by Eric Viccar0)

SPORTS

McLennan to coach Saint Jo boys

Published

5 days ago

06/19/2026

bowienews

New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.

“This is an opportunity to be an important program but also part of a great community,” McLennan said. “I’ve been looking to get back to a small town environment like the one I grew up in and played ball and this should do that.”

McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.

McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.

SPORTS

McLennan to coach Saint Jo boys

Published

5 days ago

06/18/2026

bowienews

New Saint Jo Boy’s Basketball Coach Terry McLennan said the school’s family atmosphere is what prompted him to join the Panther family.

McLennan played basketball in Hubbard outside of Waco. McLennan comes to town after being the assistant girl’s basketball coach in Grand Prairie.

McLennan contends he’s a defensive style of coach but says his team will focus on intensity.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.

SPORTS

Botard new BHS girls BB coach

Published

6 days ago

06/18/2026

bowienews

After some coaching time in East Texas, Bret Botard will be the new girl’s basketball coach at Bowie.

Botard said it’s a chance to work with Bowie Athletic Director Tyler Price once again. Price was Botard’s assistant when he coached at Nocona.

“I wanted to get back into the area,” Botard said. “It’s a good community.”

Botard graduated high school in 1995 from Del Valle High School, outside Austin, and went to Texas Tech. He started his coaching career in Lubbock followed by returning to his alma mater where he was an assistant for his high school coach.

For further details, pick up a copy of Thursday’s Bowie News.