04 Aug Tennis legend J.C. Louderback inducted into Kansas Sports Hall of Fame
Each year, the cream of the crop of Kansas athletes and coaches are inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in Wichita. This year, J.C. Louderback—standout athlete and longtime Arkansas City High School boys’ tennis coach—received his flowers as an inductee into the hall of fame on Aug. 2.
Louderback is a Kansas tennis legend. He excelled in tennis, football and basketball at Arkansas City High School, Arkansas City Junior College (now Cowley College) and Southwestern College. He returned to his beloved high school to coach the boys’ tennis team, which he did for 36 years, in addition to the school’s football and basketball teams.
In addition to coaching, Louderback volunteered as president of the Kansas District Tennis Association—now USTA Kansas—and started the Arkansas City Tennis Association. He ran youth tennis camps and directed tournaments, and he took time to resurface courts, fix nets, pick weeds and string racquets.
Louderback also created community tennis programs in under-resourced areas. He introduced tennis to every local elementary school’s physical education classes. Louderback’s granddaughter, Kali Krisik, shared that her grandfather was so much more than a coach; he was a mentor and motivator.
A Family Built on Tennis
In addition to coaching at the high school level, Louderback also coached his children and grandchildren. Louderback’s son, Jay, is a member of the USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame who played at Wichita State University and had a successful coaching career at the University of Notre Dame.
Another son, Brad, played at Oklahoma State University, coached at various universities and was head coach of the USTA National Junior Team (Junior Davis Cup Team). Louderback’s daughter, Jan, played at Wichita State University and, like her dad, coached at Arkansas City High School.
J.C.’s son, Jay, coached both his daughter, Bailey, and niece, Kali, at Notre Dame. Kali was an All-American and now works for USTA national as director of section development, closely working with the USTA Missouri Valley team.
“Most of my favorite tennis memories involve our family,” Louderback said. “I’ve enjoyed watching my kids and grandkids improve not only as players on court but as people overall. I’ve also been fortunate to travel across the country to coach, watch and play tournaments with them.
“The absolute highlight of my career was being selected as the National USTA Ralph W. Westcott Family of the Year after winning the USTA Missouri Valley and USTA Kansas Family of the Year awards.”
“It means everything. Tennis was my whole life. I cherish the memories of playing, coaching, directing tournaments and resurfacing courts with the entire family,” Louderback said, in tears. “Also, all three of our kids played Division-I college tennis and made the sport their profession, coaching at different levels.
“All five of our grandkids played in rec lessons, camps, tournaments. And two went on to play at the Division-I level. Tennis is our thing.”
Legacy Etched in Kansas
His family, tennis and the community he loves and serves selflessly are his passions. This was recognized when the Arkansas City High School Tennis Complex was rechristened as the Louderback Family Tennis Complex. And the Wilson Park tennis courts were named the J.C. Louderback Tennis Center.
Louderback has been recognized with several hall of fame inductions. He has been inducted into the Southwestern College Athletics Hall of Fame (1990), USTA Missouri Valley Hall of Fame (1998), Cowley College Athletics Hall of Fame (2000), Kansas Collegiate Officials Hall of Fame (2003) and the Kansas State High School Activities Association Hall of Fame (2016).
And he just added one more hall of fame induction to his resume when he was enshrined in the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.
“I was shocked and overwhelmed,” Louderback said. “It’s an honor to be surrounded by such successful and qualified people. All of this is possible because of my sweet wife, Donna, and our entire family.”
Louderback’s legacy is one of family and service. His life is one well-lived. Tennis simply added to the beauty of it all.
“Personally, I love the social and competitive aspects of tennis,” he said. “I’ve gained lifelong friendships through the sport and love to connect with former players and people in the industry. Tennis is all about the people you meet and the chance to compete.”
