Butch Newman, a 1965 Trinity graduate, two-time All-American, and longtime coach, has served as Director of Tennis since 2009.

His responsibilities include the development of on-campus tennis facilities, and recruiting academically qualified and athletically talented student-athletes. He also continues a strong relationship with former tennis student-athletes from the NCAA Division I and Division III eras.

Coach Newman was the driving force in the renovations of Trinity’s main tennis facilities. The eight Delavan Tennis Courts were formally dedicated as the Butch Newman Tennis Center in October 2011. Accordingly, Varsity Courts became the Al G. Hill Jr. Tennis Stadium, named after the benefactor of the renovation of both facilities, Al G. Hill Jr. ’67, a former teammate of Coach Newman’s.

Both facilities share the characteristics of shaded theater-style spectator seating, electronic scoreboards, and resurfaced courts. A structure known as the "shack" at the upper courts was remodeled into a modern tournament administration center, and an enhanced lighting system shines on all the courts.

Mabry Pavilion, designated to honor legendary men’s Coach Clarence Mabry, was dedicated in 2008. The two-story structure serves as a match administration area.

Coach Newman was inducted into the 2005 Trinity University Athletic Hall of Fame. Coach Newman is also a member of the Texas Tennis Hall of Fame. 

The Alumni Weekend induction ceremony paid tribute to Coach Newman, who has a long and illustrious career as a Trinity coach and player. He coached the Tiger men’s team from 1986-2009, and also guided the Trinity women from 1991 to 2008. Coach Newman also coached the Tiger men when Trinity competed in the NCAA Division I, through 1991.

A crowning achievement occurred in 2000, when the Trinity men and women captured the NCAA Division III Championships, minutes apart, and in two different states.

He was elected national coach of the year three times.

Trinity’s women’s team was NCAA Division III runner-up on two occasions, advanced to the semifinals nine times, made the playoffs 15 times, and won 15 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference titles in a row.

With Coach Newman at the helm, the Tiger men made 16 trips to the NCAA, advanced to the semis twice, and won 14 SCAC Championships, including a run of 13 straight.

Coach Newman led nine players (five women, four men) to Intercollegiate Tennis Association National Championships. Eight Tigers, four men and four women, were NCAA Division III finalists in either singles or doubles.

A total of 51 Tiger players (27 men and 24 women)  earned All-America honors under Coach Newman’s tutelage since 1989.

As a Tiger player, Coach Newman became Trinity’s first tennis All-American in 1963, with Chuck McKinley. Coach Newman also received the honor in 1965. The talented Coach Newman recorded a singles record of 53-2 from 1962-1965, still the best individual mark at Trinity. Coach Newman was an NCAA quarterfinalist in singles (1963) and doubles (1965, with Cliff Buchholz). The duo amassed a doubles record of 24-3.

He went on to receive a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from Trinity.

Coach Newman, who captured 14 national singles and doubles titles, was a member of the U.S. Junior Davis Cup team from 1961-1963, and was captain of the squad in 1965. He played many world-class tournaments, including Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. 

A native of San Antonio, Coach Newman served in the U.S. Marine Corps, receiving the Navy Commendation Medal for combat action in Vietnam. He attained the rank of captain, and won the All-Marine, All-Navy and All-Service singles tennis championship.

Coach Newman and his wife, Linda, have been married for 46 years and are the parents of three adult children, two daughters and one son. The Newmans also have eight grandchildren.