WAYNE HIRST

CLASS OF 2003
 

Wayne Hirst was born in San Francisco, California, on September 7, 1940, and was raised in Oklahoma City.  He graduated from Harding High School and was a 3-time State High School Doubles Champion partnering with Billy Buckley and his brother Jerry.  Tennis was a formative part of his life. 

Possessing an outstanding serve, volley, and overhead, he dominated the Oklahoma State Open Tennis Tournament over the years winning the Boys 16, Boys 18, Men's Open, Men's 35, Men's 45, and Men's 50 Doubles Championships.  He graduated from East Texas State University where he was a two-time NAIA All-American.  He has been inducted into the East Texas State University Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 1976, he founded Hirst Imports.  He used this business as a way to give back to the community through donations raised at the charitable functions he hosted.  The Hirst Hospitality Fund has raised over $160,000 and provides 16 to 18 scholarships annually to the Oklahoma State University Hotel and Restaurant School.

For five consecutive years (1998-2002), he was selected to play for the United States in the Gordon Cup, an international team competition against Canada.  Pictured with him above center is Jim Baker, his last Gordon Cup partner.  Above right is Wayne with his brother Jerry at the 2007 Grass Courts.  In 2000, he was chosen for the International Friendship Cup played in Myazaki, Japan.

Wayne was a long time supporter of tennis and served on the Oklahoma Tennis Hall of Fame Selection Committee for many years.  He passed away February 14, 2015.