Cougar Hall of Famer Rex Davis Passes Away at 91

PULLMAN, Wash. – Former student-athlete and Washington State Tennis Head Coach Rex Davis, who spent more than three decades in multiple roles at Washington State University, passed away Tuesday in Pullman. Davis was 91.
 
“Rex Davis will forever be a true Cougar,” said WSU Director of Athletics Pat Chun. “From student-athlete to professor to head coach, Rex was a part of the fabric of Washington State University for 30-plus years and left his mark on the countless student-athletes he mentored. His caring nature endeared him not only to his players, but made him a pillar in the Pullman community. We send our deepest condolences to his family and friends.”
 
A native of Richland, Wash., Davis arrived in Pullman in 1949 as a gymnastics student-athlete where he earned three varsity letters, captained the team as a senior, while also being a member of the WSU cheer squad.
 
After a decade of teaching in his hometown of Richland, Davis returned to WSU in 1966 to teach and lead the men’s gymnastics program, one year later adding men’s tennis to his coaching resume. From 1967 until 94, when the men’s tennis program was discontinued, Davis led the way, amassing 269 victories. He took on coaching duties for the women’s team as well from 1983-90, collecting another 91 wins, giving him 360 all-time wins, fourth among all coaches in WSU history upon his retirement.
 
True to his commitment to education, of the players who spent two years under Davis’ tutelage, all but one graduated.
 
In 1995, Davis cemented his Cougar legacy as the WSU tennis courts were named in his honor and only hours later, he was presented with the WSU Alumni Achievement Award. Davis capped his Cougar career in 2015 when he was inducted into the WSU Athletics Hall of Fame.
 
Davis earned his bachelor’s degree in physical education from WSU win 1953, his master’s degree in 1961, and in 1982, earned his doctorate degree from the University of Idaho. He is survived by his wife of 70-plus years, Alice, four children, 10 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.