THIBODAUX, La. - A memorial for legendary Louisiana tennis coach Jim Hunter will be held Friday, June 21 from 4-7 p.m. at the Cross Gates Racquet Club in Slidell, Louisiana.

Hunter, who passed away on May 8 at the age of 79, last coached at Nicholls from 2006-10. He led both the men's and women's programs and ended his tenure by being named Louisiana Sports Writers Association Men's Tennis Coach of the Year, which was the third LSWA honor of his career. The men's team won 14 games that season, a school record, and both squads finished over .500 - making Hunter just the fifth coach in the NCAA in 2010 to guide two teams to a winning record.

Hunter's career began as an assistant coach while he was still in the military. His first coaching position was at Southeastern Louisiana in the 1980s where he was named 1987 Gulf Star Conference Coach of the Year after leading the Lady Lions to a 23-3 record and a No. 28 national ranking.

He then retired in 1990 before returning to coach at the University of New Orleans in '98. In 2003, Hunter was named Sun Belt Conference Coach of the Year. After UNO, Hunter returned to Southeastern as an assistant coach for both men's and women's tennis teams that won conference championships.

Hunter then came out of retirement one last time to take over the program at Nicholls.

Hunter served in the U.S. Armed Forces for 28 years before perusing his passion in coaching tennis. During his tenure with the Army, he did tours of duty in Europe, Panama, and Vietnam. Hunter was awarded the Bronze Star for his distinguished combat service upon his retirement.

Hunter received a bachelor's degree in history from Texas-Arlington in 1961, and went on to earn a graduate degree in the Command General Staff College of the U.S. Army in 1979.

Coach Hunter was featured in the Voila Magazine in 2007. To read about his journey, please click here.