Missouri State

TOM ADAMS
Tennis, 1966-69; Tennis Coach, 1975-77
Inducted February 10, 1990

Springfield native Tom Adams came to Missouri State University from Parkview High School and was the Bears top performer through four seasons as a varsity letterman from 1966 through 1969 under Coach Jay Kinser. He won one MIAA singles championship in the leagues number one flight and finished as the individual runner-up his other three seasons. He had a similar performance in doubles in league competition, winning one championship along with partner Dave Hart, and finishing second on three other occasions in the league meet. Adams finished his Bruin career with a four-year record of 51-9 in singles and 49-11 in doubles prior to his graduation in 1971. He assisted tennis coach Charlie Spoonhour with the Bears in 1970 and 1971 and then returned as the men's tennis coach at MSU from 1975 until 1977. The Bears finished as the MIAA runner-up in 1975 and 1977 while the 1976 season under Adams saw MSU capture its first league championship in 18 seasons.