MOBILE, Ala. -- The University of South Alabama Athletic Department took time out Wednesday morning to honor two of its most loyal supporters when it dedicated a new entrance to its tennis facility, the Lubel Memorial Gateway. A ribbon-cutting for the Lubel Memorial Gateway took place at 10:30 and included University President V. Gordon Moulton, Director of Athletics Joe Gottfried and members of the Lubel family.
The Gateway is part of an improvement plan that makes the Bruce David Lubel Memorial Tennis Courts more attractive to fans. It is constructed of brick and wrought iron and is dedicated to long-time USA tennis supporters Bill and Marilyn Lubel. Marilyn is credited with starting the Jaguar women’s tennis program in 1975 and served as its first head coach. She was inducted into the University of South Alabama Athletic Hall of Fame in 1991.
“Bill and Marilyn were friends of the University from its earliest days,” Moulton said. “Marilyn had a great love for and skill in tennis and we were fortunate for her to become the first head coach. Their vision led the the high quality of teams we have had over the years. That type of dedication makes for a great institution.”
“This is a special tribute to two special people,” Gottfried said. “They have been instrumental in the success of the men’s and women’s tennis programs at South Alabama.”
Future plans call for a state-of-the-art scoreboard to be erected in the coming months, allowing fans on the championship courts to keep track of up to eight matches at once.
Several Lubel family members attended the event, including their children “It means so much to us that people care enough about our parents that they support projects like this to honor their memory,” son Glenn Lubel said in his remarks.. “Even though they suffered through illness later in their lives, it was still very important to come out and make a difference ? she loved those words. Mom truly wanted to make a difference in the lives of the tennis players, on and off the court.”
