The facility, which has freshly resurfaced and relined courts, now officially of a coach who served Collin College for 33 years, coaching the women’s team to its first National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Championship in 1991 and leading the college to nine NJCAA national titles – five men’s and four women’s championships. The Collin College Board of Trustees voted unanimously to approve the tennis center’s naming in 2024, but this ceremony served as the official dedication.
With cold and damp weather outside, the festivities were moved indoors to the campus gymnasium with the tennis courts as a backdrop outside. Berryman’s wife, Sharon, who was one of many people to speak at the event, said, “Considering the weather, isn’t this just the way that tennis events happen? It’s just the way it is. I think Marty would find the humor in this.”
Sharon said she was thankful for the honor bestowed on Marty. Sharon also noted during her remarks that Coach Berryman is also being posthumously honored this summer by the NJCAA with a Coaches Legacy Award, recognizing the all-time winningest coaches in NJCAA history.
The women’s team finished in the top three in the nation 12 times. The men’s team finished in the top three 15 times. The men’s and women’s teams finished in the top 10 in the country 27 times during Coach Berryman’s career with Collin. The program also produced 88 NJCAA All-Americans in that time.
Beyond Coach Berryman’s success on the court, it was Sharon’s comments that Marty was “more than a tennis coach. He was a mentor, a motivator, and a champion for the college, his players, and his students,” which were echoed by multiple people during the ceremony.
Dr. Neil Matkin, Collin College district president, said, “Coach Berryman went the extra mile of shaping the lives of young athletes by consistently emphasizing the importance of academics, character, and hard work in all aspects of their lives.
“These courts are more than just a place to play,” Dr. Matkin said. They symbolize opportunity, teamwork, and excellence. Part of that excellence is in this crowd today in the legacy of friends, family, athletes, and former coaches.”
Cindy Brinker Simmons, a Dallas based author, businesswoman, and philanthropist whose donation to the Collin College Foundation helped establish the Coach Martin Berryman Endowed Scholarship, also spoke at the dedication. Brinker Simmons is the daughter of tennis legend Maureen Connolly-Brinker, who the center court in the facility is named for. In her remarks, Brinker Simmons emphasized the broader reach of the sport.
“Tennis is a great way to master the skill of living, both on the courts and off them,” she said. “That is what Coach Berryman taught his players. He taught them how to be great ambassadors for the sport of tennis.”
Dr. Albert Tezeno, Collin College athletics director, brought the ceremony to a close with a reminder that “This moment is a celebration for our college, our student-athletes, the Berryman family, and our entire community. These courts symbolize more than just an investment in athletics; they are a testament to our commitment to fostering growth, teamwork, and excellence—both on and off the courts.”