Hall of Fame
The 1961 men's tennis teams were trailblazers for the UTPA tennis program. John Sharpe won the NAIA national singles title as part of the team's championship victory. In addition Sharpe paired with Don Russell to win the NAIA national title in doubles. The 1961 team was the first team to claim a national team title for “Pan American College” and was one year removed from being the national runner-up in 1960. The team went 12-4-1 overall that season.
Don Russell (1959-1962) was inducted into the UTPA Athletics Hall of Fame in the inaugural class of 2007. Russell is arguably the most decorated individual athlete in Bronc athletics history. In 1959 Russell won the first of four consecutive NAIA National Doubles Championships. The Melbourne, Australia native would also win the second in string of three consecutive NAIA national singles titles when he took home the crown in 1962.
John Sharpe (1959-1962), also from Melbourne, Autrailia, was inducted into the UTPA Hall of Fame as an individual performer in 2008. He, along with fellow Aussie Don Russell, were paired up to win three consecutive national doubles titles. Also during the 1961 season Sharpe won the first of the three straight singles titles. As a junior Sharpe defeated teammate Jerry Wortelboer to win the NAIA singles title with a final match line of 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.
Ken Lang (1960-1963) a native of Richmond, California was a sophomore on the 1961 title team. Lang is also an individual recipient of Hall of Fame honors as he was inducted into the class of 2009. Lang’s best season as a Bronc was in 1963 when he teamed with John Hunter to win the NAIA doubles title and then claimed the singles title with a 2-6, 6-2, 6-3 win over Donald Kierbow of Corpus Christi.
Jim Watson (1960-1961) was a two year letterman for PAC. In his senior campaign with the Broncs, Watson teamed with Ken Lang to finish as the national runner-up in doubles. The San Francisco, California native later became an assistant coach under the legendary Harry Meng.
Harold Natho (1961) a Mercedes, Texas native was on the championship squad as a freshman. Natho competed in one match that season, the opener versus Texas A&M. He partnered up with Jim Watson to beat their opponents.
Jerry Wortelboer (1961-1964) was a late but promising addition to the Broncs, joining the squad during the spring semester of 1961. Wortelboer was 6-1 in singles competition during the 1961 regular season.Wortelboer then had an impressive run during the NAIA tournament when he advanced all the way to the finals eventually falling to teammate John Sharpe in the final match. In 1962 Wortelboer, teaming with Don Russell won the NAIA doubles championship.
