Uvalde High School's Coach Rambie Reflects on an Impactful Career

After nearly 30 years in education and 19 years as head tennis coach, Terri Rambie has officially retired from her coaching role at Uvalde High School. Rambie, who also spent a decade coaching at the junior high level, decided to step away due to health concerns and a desire to spend more time with family and friends.

“It’s tough to leave coaching because I love tennis and I love the kids,” Rambie said. “But my health issues have convinced me that this is the right time to retire.”

Rambie has faced bone problems with her hips for most of her life and underwent surgery in December that allowed her to continue walking. “My doctor told me that this was it,” she noted. “Coaching is physically demanding, and I just can’t continue to do it if I want to maintain my mobility.”

Though stepping down from her coaching position, Rambie plans to stay involved with the UHS tennis program by consulting with current coaches. “I hope to continue to contribute,” she said. “It’s time for a new chapter in my life, and I’m curious to see what God has planned for me.”

Under Rambie’s leadership, UHS tennis has become a perennial powerhouse, consistently sending players to regional competition. The Coyotes and Lobos claimed district championships in both team tennis and spring tennis last year.

“We have had a lot of success over the years,” Rambie reflected. “I want the program to reach even higher levels of success following my departure.”

In addition to athletic achievements, Rambie has emphasized academics and character development among her players. “I’ve always wanted them to be the best they can be, both on and off the court,” she said. “It’s about teaching life skills and instilling the importance of good grades and being good people.”

Rambie expressed gratitude for the support she received throughout her career, including from family, players’ families, the school district, and the community. She has played a key role in expanding the tennis complex, which has become one of the best facilities in the region. Her no-cut policy ensured that anyone willing to practice regularly could participate.

Rambie’s coaching accolades include being named state Coach of the Year in 2009 and earning regional Coach of the Year honors in 2019 and 2022. “It’s not about me,” she said. “It’s about all the great kids and the assistant coaches who have helped me along the way. Winning is a group effort.”

A 1963 UHS graduate, Rambie credits her seventh-grade physical education coach, Janice McWhorter, as a significant influence in her decision to pursue a career in teaching and coaching. “I hope that I have inspired some of the kids in my program to coach,” Rambie said. “That would be a lasting legacy for me.”

As Rambie closes this chapter, her impact on Uvalde High School tennis and the lives of her players will resonate for years to come.