For 18 seasons, David Kent poured his heart and soul into improving tennis at Texas A&M.

His enthusiasm was contagious as he molded a Top 25 program. While compiling a record of 316-161, Kent had 21 Southwest Conference individual champions, 18 NCAA Tournament qualifiers, three All-Americans and an unforgettable SWC championship team in 1994

But it was his unique way of teaching and his impeccable character that also made him successful off the court.

That's why many of his former players will be on hand Friday at approximately 5 p.m. when the courtyard at the Mitchell Tennis Center will be dedicated after Kent, who coached at A&M from 1979-96.

"It's really been something for me," Kent said. "It's been a blessing to me, my wife, and my kids. It's one of the biggest thrills I've ever had."

But in typical Kent fashion, he started rattling off all those who made his success possible -- athletics director Marvin Tate who hired him, Wally Groff who was the AD for much of his tenure, his overachieving players, his fellow Aggie coaches and the academic support group. Kent even thanked the athletics department personnel who answered the phones and took out the trash.

"At A&M, you've got a lot of things to be thankful for," Kent said. "No. 1, this was just the best place to coach. It's been an exciting time for me. I'm an Aggie through and through."

Current A&M women's tennis coach Bobby Kleinecke, who played for Kent at West Texas A&M, spearheaded the dedication. Former players at Amarillo High, Midland High and West Texas A&M also contributed. Kent coached at Amarillo for a year, then Midland for nine years before moving to West Texas A&M, where he was 200-62 in dual matches, winning seven Missouri Conference Championships in seven years.

The Midland group, which had raised money in Kent's name at a players' reunion, called Kleinecke in mid-February for his advice on how to honor Kent. Kleinecke thought a picturesque courtyard for all the conference and national tournaments the facility has and will hold would be the perfect way to honor Kent. The group also has set up a David Kent Endowment through the 12th Man Foundation.

"He has done a ton for A&M," Kleinecke said.

Kent, 73, even had a hand in designing the Mitchell Tennis Center.

"The stadium is incredible," Kent said. "We took Florida State's stadium and made additions to that. And I think this stadium and this complex is the best collegiate complex in the United States."

Kent and Kleinecke knew A&M needed a complex, but Groff also knew that getting $3 or $4 million for a nonrevenue sport would be difficult, if not impossible.

Still, Groff told Kent and Kleinecke to harness their ideas, and A&M hired the same architect who designed Florida State's facility. Eventually, the Aggies found a way to finance the construction of the $4.2 million facility, which opened in 1998.

"I was really pleased just to see the look on those guys' faces when it happened," Groff said.

Kent managed to put a lot of smiles on faces of A&M tennis fans.

His 1994 team was his most successful. The unranked Aggies won 15 straight matches to open the season en route to a then school-record 23-4 record. He dubbed them the "Wonder Team" after winning the school's only SWC title.

But Kent's proudest accomplishment was his players' academic success.

"That was really exciting," Kent said.

All but one Aggie who played for Kent for four years graduated.

Standouts who played for him included Kimmo Alkio, Blake Arrant, Grant Connell, Greg Hill, Brian Joelson, Bernardo Martinez, Shaun O'Donovan and Mark Weaver. With players like those and others, Kent never had a losing season at A&M.

"He kinda started everything off," Kleinecke said. "He just had the charisma about him that people liked and were drawn to."

The A&M men's tennis program didn't have a big budget when it hired Kent, who started summer camps to promote Aggie tennis.

"I don't even remember the other candidates, but I knew he was best qualified for the job," Tate said. "I liked his attitude. I liked his approach. I liked his demeanor. He was a perfect fit for what we were looking for. He could work with people, and he could build a program. And he did exactly what we wanted."

Kent did it with class, which pleased Groff. That was something the program had starting with legendary coach Omar Smith (1960-74), and it continued with Tim Cass, who followed Kent and coached the Aggies for a decade before leaving after the 2005-06 season for an administration job at New Mexico.

In between Smith and Cass, Kent ran the A&M tennis program in a first-class manner, and Groff says his way of doing things also spilled over to the women's program when he hired Kleinecke.

"They were all just super individuals for our program," Groff said.

And Kleinecke insists the only reason he's at A&M is because of Kent.

"A lot of people don't realize, but he is the one who helped me get this job," Kleinecke said. "If I hadn't had him behind me pushing, that would have never happened."

Kleinecke, who is in his 23rd season coaching the Aggie women, has made eight straight NCAA Tournament appearances. He's also won two Big 12 championships, grabbing the regular season title in 2003 and the tournament title in 2004.

"I wouldn't be where I'm at right now [without Kent]," Kleinecke said. "I owe him everything -- from a player to a coach to a friend. He's done a lot for me, and he'd do anything for me now. And that's the way he was with all his players. If you played for him, he would go to bat for you for the rest of your life."

On Friday, his former players will go to bat for him.

"I'm a little bit nervous about the whole thing," Kent said. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing. It's just so great. I never thought I'd have a courtyard named after me at this university."

NOTES -- Kent currently serves as chairman of the Brazos County Republican Party. ... Donations to the David Kent Courtyard can be made through the 12th Man Foundation. ... The dedication will take place between the A&M men's match at 3 p.m. and the women's at 6 p.m. Friday, probably between 5-5:30 p.m., Kleinecke said. ... A&M's Anna Blagodarova was named the Big 12's No. 3 singles champion, Morgan Frank earned the No. 5 singles title and Frank and Stephanie Davidson were named the No. 3 doubles champions by the conference office Wednesday. ... Saturday's semifinals times have been changed with the men now playing at noon and 3 p.m. and the women at 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.