Larry Sundby, a former business professor at St. Cloud State University (SCSU), has spent his entire life in and around the game of tennis. He grew up playing tennis, he worked as a tennis coach and, throughout his career, he has served as a leader and an advocate for the St. Cloud tennis community.  

In high school, Sundby played tennis for the St. Cloud Tech boys’ team and was named the SCSU men’s team MVP in 1963. He continued to play after graduation, and in 1985 he took over as the St. Cloud Tech girls’ tennis coach. From 1985-92, they won 173 matches, had four teams in the state tournament, and won three Central Lake Conference championships. Sundby was named the 1992 Minnesota Girls’ Tennis Coach of the Year. 
While coaching at Tech, Sundby also started coaching the St. Cloud State women’s tennis team – a position he held from 1988-2005. He finished his head coaching career with a 311-129 record, won three North Central Conference championships and qualified for four NCAA regional tournaments.

Along the way, he helped found the St. Cloud Men’s Tennis League in 1968 and is currently the treasurer and a member of the Organizing Committee. He played a significant role on the board for the summer tennis programs and provided leadership as Vice President for the St. Cloud Tennis Foundation from 1984-2002.  In 1989, he was recognized by the USTA with the Community Service Award, presented in New York at the U.S. Open.

Sundby, who still serves as a volunteer assistant coach at SCSU, also helped save the program he cares so deeply about. In March 2016, St. Cloud State eliminated six sports, including women’s tennis and women’s Nordic ski. Legal action was taken, and Sundby was one of the St. Cloud State representatives who testified in federal court in support of the female athletes. In August 2016, the Chief Federal Judge of Minnesota issued a temporary injunction which reinstated both sports until the case could be heard, and in August 2019, the judge ruled that SCSU was in violation of Title IX, and significant remedies were ordered.

Sundby has received many honors in his career including a member of the St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud Tech High School and USTA Northern Section halls of fame.  These awards recognize his dedication and passion for a lifetime of creating sport opportunities, especially for girls and women.