Legendary tennis coach enshrined in St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Ron Selkirk dedicated his life to growing the game of tennis in St. Joseph and across the region.

"If there's no Ron Selkirk, there's no tennis, not only in St. Joe, but in northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas," said Eric Thacker. "In my opinion, one of the biggest sports figures in the region."

Selkirk was posthumously enshrined in the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame on Sunday, Aug. 23. The local tennis legend passed away last September, but his impact on tennis is still being felt today.

He was the first Truman State University Bulldog to capture MIAA No. 1 singles three times. As Central High School's head tennis coach, he led the Indians to a 64-4 record and the 1974 Class 4 state championship.

Selkirk managed the St. Joseph Tennis and Swim Club for more than 30 years, where he organized satellite tournaments that brought elite young players to the area. Among them was Andre Agassi, who competed in St. Joseph at age 15.

"That's what Ron ran — the satellite tournaments," Dean Tabor said. "In the book Andre Agassi wrote, they held these tournaments in out-of-the-way towns like Monroe, Louisiana, and St. Joseph, Missouri."

Former players remember Selkirk as more than just a coach.

"He's a coach, but also almost like a counselor in a way, just trying to get the best out of everyone," Tabor said.

Kathleen Winegardner, another former player, said Selkirk's approach was always supportive.

"His criticism was always constructive, never belittling," she said. "Just a very gentle coach that helped you succeed."

The Selkirks now have two Hall of Famers in their family. Ron's son, Adam, was inducted into the St. Joseph Area Sports Hall of Fame last year.