East Texas A&M University Athletics

On June 9, 1972, the Lions tennis team won its first national tennis championship in program history. Dr. Bill Crabtree, Lion Hall of Fame and LSC Hall of Honor coach, helped lead the team to break the six-year championship reign of Redlands College of California. Harry Fritz led the Lions throughout the season to the Lone Star Conference championship. Fritz won the National Singles Championship in straight sets and joined teammate Bob Hochstadter to win the National Doubles Championship. The Lions finished the national tournament with 37 points, winning by two points over Redlands. 

In the Lone Star Conference championship tournament, the Lions fielded both participants in the final match of the Singles Tournament and also both teams that competed for the Doubles Championship. Fritz and Hochstadter would go on to win First Team All-America honors and both also earned First Team All-Conference honors. Teammates John Blackmon and John McGee won Second Team All-LSC honors.