McKenzie, Tenn.–Fourteen former McKenzie Rebel and Rebelette tennis players from the 1970’s and ‘80’s reunited on last weekend at the The Happy Book Stack in downtown McKenzie as part of the ‘Decades’ Reunions.
The team celebrated their coach, Terry Howell (MHS Class of 1969), who took over the program in 1979 after it was first established in 1978 under Coach Richard Chappell. The players also enjoyed visiting with Suzanne, Howell’s wife, who was also present.
During the tennis boom of the 1970’s and ‘80’s, 10 McKenzie High Rebel and Rebelette alumni went on to compete at the college level.
The 1981 and 1982 Rebelette teams each completed undefeated seasons, and the 1982 Rebels joined the girls team with an undefeated year. Both of the 1982 girls and boys squads swept team, singles, and doubles titles in the TSSAA District 25, in an era before enrollment-based classifications existed for spring sports.
The 1982 district championship team trophies were on display at the gathering, which occurred inside the McKenzie High School Alumni Association Pop Up Memorabilia Exhibit. The team also viewed the Rebel letter sweater and original Wilson tennis racquet of former Rebel tennis player Andy Camp, MHS Class of 1981, who was on the school’s first team in 1978. He passed away in 1985.
Former players in attendance included Marsha Hall Powell and Randy Westbrooks (MHS Class of 1979), Linda Odom (1980), Lisa Ramsay Cole, Dana Akins Headden, and Bobby Rogers (1982), Kelly Headden and Brad Camp (1983), Jill Robb Keepes, Trina Akins Owsley, Sandi Stafford Roditis, and Bret Smith (1985), Brent Bradberry (1986), and Carol Ridley Nanney (1989).
Photo: Former McKenzie Rebel and Rebelette tennis players visiting on September 20 included (left to right): Trina Akins Owsley (MHS Class of 1985), Sandi Stafford Roditis (‘85), Carol Ridley Nanney (‘89), Randy Westbrooks (‘79), Bobby Rogers (‘82), Brad Camp (‘83), Linda Odom (‘80), Coach Terry Howell (‘69), Marsha Hall Powell (‘79), Jill Robb Keepes (‘85), Lisa Ramsay Cole (‘82), Bret Smith (‘85), Brent Bradberry (‘86), Dana Akins Headden (‘82), and Kelly Headden (‘83). (Photo courtesy of MHSAA)