From the mid-1940’s through decades later, Bill and Massie Cooper raised six sons across the street from the Tyler Park tennis courts. Much of the boys’ childhood was spent on these courts learning the sport and furiously competing against one another and others.
The six Cooper sons – Billy, Bobby, Jackie, Tommy, Chuck, and Timmy – all grew up to be educators, ambassadors, and champions of tennis. The family was named the “Kentucky Tennis Family” in 1965. William Cooper Sr. and many of his sons have been inducted into the Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame. There are a combined 12 Kentucky State High School Tennis Championships within the family.
Tennis runs in their blood and Tyler Park is the heart. Dedicated to the family on September 3rd , 2022 – the Cooper Family Tennis Courts at Tyler Park shall be an acknowledgement of the Coopers’ positive impact on the sport of tennis throughout the city of Louisville and beyond.
William Cooper – The first Cooper son to develop on the Tyler Park Courts, Bill became a 1957 Kentucky
State High School Singles Tennis Champion for St. Xavier.
Bob Cooper – Alongside Jackie, Bob was a 1961 Kentucky State High School Doubles Champion for St.
Xavier. After, he played at Murray State University and became the first freshman to win the Ohio Valley
Conference (1962).
Jackie Cooper – A 2-time singles and 3-time doubles Kentucky State High School Champion, Jackie later
became a Western Kentucky University Hall of Fame Inductee for his success on the tennis court.
Nicknamed the “Elvis of Louisville Tennis” in his youth, Jackie relocated to California where his teaching
and coaching impact cemented his legacy.
Tom Cooper – A 1964 Kentucky State High School Doubles Tennis Champion for St. Xavier, Tom played
tennis in college at Western Kentucky University. His passion as a teacher became cultivating the love of
tennis for all ages and levels.
Chuck Cooper – Having played his college tennis at Murray State University, Chuck grew up to be a
longtime tennis teaching director and professional in the city of Louisville. He became a Kentucky Tennis
Hall of Fame Inductee.
Tim Cooper – An undefeated 4-time Kentucky State High School Champion (1967-1970), Tim became a
Kentucky Tennis Hall of Fame Inductee. He later played basketball for Denny Crum at the University of
Louisville, competing in the 1972 Final Four.
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