1976 Texas Tennis Reunion: A Legacy Remembered

1976 tennis team Yesterday, we had a reunion of the 1976 University of Texas Tennis team in Austin. Kevin Curren made the trip from South Africa with his lovely wife and daughters. Little did we know in 1976 that three of our teammates would go on to become All-Americans, and one, Kevin Curren, would go on to win the NCAA Singles title in 1979. It didn’t stop there. Kevin went on to win Grand Slam doubles titles at Wimbledon, teaming with fellow teammate Steve Denton to win the US Open Doubles title in 1982. Some of these relationships go back over 60 years. Hook ‘em Horns!

Left to right: Eddie Blanton, Stewart Keller, Bill Fisher, Steve Denton, Dan Byfield, Kevin Curren and Brad Nabers. Missing are Gary Plock, Graham Whaling, and Gonzalo Nunez

Graham Whaling made a lasting mark on Texas Longhorn tennis both as a player and a benefactor. He played under legendary coach Dave Snyder and served as **team captain during his senior year**, graduating from the University of Texas in 1976. His commitment to it matched his leadership on the court.
🏟️ Whaling later became a major contributor to the development of UT’s tennis facilities. He played a pivotal role in funding the Edgar O. and Melanie A. Weller Tennis Center, which features the Whaling/Snyder Courts—named in honor of both Whaling and Coach Snyder. This $8.8 million facility features six indoor and four outdoor courts, serving as a vital training and competition venue for UT’s tennis teams.
His legacy reflects the kind of enduring impact you appreciate

Dan Byfield was a four-year tennis letterman for the University of Texas, competing as part of the Longhorns men’s tennis team in the 1970s. He played under Coach Dave Snyder, a legendary figure in UT tennis history, and contributed to the team during a competitive era in Southwest Conference play.
🏆 Byfield’s standout moment came in the 1976 SWC tournament, where he won the No. 6 singles title with a straight-sets victory over TCU’s Jon Gurian. He also teamed with freshman Steve Denton to win the No. 3 doubles final, defeating Rice’s John Whiteford and Barry Josselson. Snyder praised Byfield as the only Longhorn double winner in that tournament, underscoring his clutch performance.
📚 After his athletic career, Byfield earned a journalism degree from UT and later a law degree. He’s now known for his work in property rights advocacy as CEO of American Stewards of Liberty—a fascinating pivot from the tennis courts to the policy arena.

Brad Nabers was a standout for the Texas Longhorns men’s tennis team in the late 1970s. Competing under Coach Dave Snyder, Nabers earned recognition not only for his play but also for his character and sportsmanship.

🏅 In 1977, he received the Wilmer Allison Sportsmanship Award, named after the legendary UT coach and Wimbledon finalist. This honor reflected Nabers’ commitment to integrity and team spirit—values that resonated deeply within the Longhorn tennis tradition.

📍 Originally from San Antonio, Nabers continued to stay active in tennis well beyond his collegiate years. As of 2025, he’s still competing in senior-level USTA events, holding a 4.0 NTRP rating and posting a strong record in doubles play.

Gonzalo Núñez brought international flair to Texas Longhorn tennis in the mid-1970s. Born in Guayaquil, Ecuador, he moved to the U.S. and joined the University of Texas, where he played collegiate tennis and quickly made his mark.

🏆 In 1975, Núñez won the national amateur grass court championship, a prestigious title that highlighted his skill on natural surfaces. That same year, he represented Ecuador in Davis Cup play, underscoring his dual impact on both collegiate and international tennis.

🌍 After UT, Núñez competed professionally, mostly in doubles on the Grand Prix circuit. His career included a Challenger doubles title in Barcelona in 1981, where he partnered with Hugo Núñez to defeat John Van Nostrand and Rory Chappell.

Ed Blanton was a member of the Texas Longhorns men’s tennis team during the mid-1970s, competing under the legendary Coach Dave Snyder. Blanton contributed to a strong era for UT tennis, which included standout performances in Southwest Conference play and NCAA tournament appearances.

📚 After his time on the court, Blanton pursued a career in law and public policy. He’s known for his work in property rights advocacy. He has been involved with organizations that focus on land use and environmental stewardship—an interesting parallel to fellow Longhorn Dan Byfield, who also transitioned from tennis to leadership in the same field.