There is a well-known quote from a country song which states, 'I was looking for a job when I found this one.'
 
It clearly didn't apply to 2017 Midwestern State Athletics Hall of Honor inductee Larry Wiggins.
 
Wiggins is set for induction prior to halftime Homecoming festivities during MSU's football game against West Texas A&M Saturday night at Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
 
The Midwestern State Athletic Hall of Honor represents the highest honor bestowed upon an individual by the MSU Department of Athletics. The accomplishments of those enshrined exemplify the character, spirit, commitment, high level of achievement and reflect the honor, excellence and traditions of the university.
 
Individuals are recognized for their contributions as student-athletes, coaches, administrators or outstanding advocates of Midwestern State Athletics.
 
"I was working on my doctorate when (former MSU Athletic Director) Steve Holland approached me," Wiggins said. "He said they were thinking about going into the Lone Star Conference and needed a full-time tennis coach. It paid $6,000 a year. How can you turn that down?"
 
Wiggins accepted the position to go along with his academic duties of teaching fundamentals of secondary and elementary education and another special education course for special needs.
 
"I also taught an outdoor education class, but they thought I turned that into a survival course," he said.
 
On the courts, the former military officer looked to instill discipline while laying the groundwork for a scholarship program. It didn't start very easily.
 
"One of the kids thought I wasn't good enough to coach them," he said. "I wasn't a very good player, but I was able to beat him 6-0, 6-0 in about 30 minutes. That was where our program was."
 
To be successful playing for Larry Wiggins, first you had to understand the basic structure of the program.
 
"I'll do my best to get along with you, but Rule No. 1 is you have to get along with me," he said. "It's the same as in your house. That's the only rule I had."
 
Wiggins also made it a point for each player to know why practice was important.
 
"Most kids don't know why they practice. If you ask they will say to get better," he said. "Really, the only reason you practice is so you can get in the game and play. Pretty simple."
 
The sport of tennis has long been associated with Midwestern State spanning the history of the institution, but most often students competed in on-campus tournaments in the early years. Team play proved sporadic throughout the bulk of time culminating with its first All American – Andrew Norman – in 1985.
 
"The first thing I did was talked to Christi Teakell at Rider and Brandon Negri from Iowa Park," Wiggins said. "I talked some local kids into coming to play. They were good academic kids. I always looked for those who were good in the classroom."
 
The women's program added its first scholarship going into the 1995-96 academic year and it went to another local prospect – Vernon's Vicky Huie.
 
"There was only one scholarship and it was for the girls," Wiggins said. "She came in and won the Arthur Ashe Award and is not a pharmacist in Washington."
 
The 1996 squad touched off a string of 12 consecutive postseason appearances as MSU advanced to the NAIA Southwest Region in consecutive years before rattling off NCAA Division II regional appearances in its first 10 seasons of membership.
 
In all, the women's teams amassed 264 wins with a .680 winning percentage of 16 campaigns under Wiggins advancing to the Round of 16 in 2000 and 2005.
 
The men experience similar success also qualifying for NAIA regional play in 1996 and 1997 before rolling to NCAA Division II postseason for 10 straight seasons just like the women.
 
"At first, our goal was to beat (current Tarleton State coach) Lance Drake at Hardin-Simmons," Wiggins said. "The program really didn't get good until we got some of the Texas kids to come play."

Some of the big names included current Texas Tech tennis coach Todd Petty, North Texas transfer Jason Peters, Wes Luxton, walk-ons Brian Holcomb and Jared King as well as standouts Michael Mills and Scooter Gillen, who now coaches at Iowa Park High.
 
"Those were the most fun teams," Wiggins said. "We used to take two vans and I would have to get permission for a player to drive the other van. Wes (Luxton) must have logged a million miles. He thought I was a bad driver, but would never complain."
 
His men's teams advanced to the national site on five occasions advancing as far as the national quarterfinals in 2006 which proved to be a memorable season.
 
The duo of Brett Emerson and local product Zac Dillard claimed Intercollegiate Tennis Association All-America honors as the No. 2 doubles team in the nation helping the Mustangs break through with a win over nemesis Abilene Christian to claim a Lone Star Conference championship.
 
Emerson, a two-time LSC Player of the Year, claimed ITA All-America accolades in singles the following year.
 
Wiggins coached the men to 241 victories and a .653 winning percentage over his 16 seasons at the helm which included an LSC Coach of the Year honor in his final season in 2010.
 
But for those who know him and his signature yellow socks, it comes as no surprise those aren't the memories that endure.
 
"I remember some of the wins and some of the losses," he said. "I also remember Todd Petty playing at Incarnate Word. He dove and hit the ball, recovered and did it again. He probably made three diving saves and didn't win the point. After the long rally, Petty threw his hat, shoes, socks and shirt at (his opponent). That's the way it was. We just played and it was fun. I told Todd to get his laundry and we didn't want to see him naked. Those are things you remember. Not necessarily the wins and losses. The kids that graduated and moved on. I watched them become adults. It was fun."
 
Both programs enjoyed great academic success under Wiggins including an NAIA All-America Scholar in Huie and an ESPN Academic All-American in Michelle Beukes. Ten difference men's players earned LSC All-Academic honors including Academic Player of the Year Vjekoslav Stipanic in 2010, while seven women's student-athletes garnered LSC All-Academic accolades with Beukes twice taking Academic Player of the Year laurels in 2005 and 2006.
 
"The one thing I am most proud of was that I just had one kid who stayed four years who didn't graduate," Wiggins said. "And he was the smartest there was."
 
EPILOGUE
 
Larry Wiggins concluded his 16-year tenure as men's and women's tennis coach at Midwestern State at the close of the 2010 season.
 
He is now an independent insurance adjuster based out of Wichita Falls.
 
"Wherever they need me, I go," he said. "I am a bit of a hired gun."
 
Wiggins remains MSU's all-time coaching wins leader with a combined 504 victories. He led teams to 25 postseason appearances.