Terry is a Grand Forks native. He was a two year starter at quarterback in football, and three year regular in tennis and hockey, Terry was a member of three state championship hockey teams and was the recipient of the Tom Hoghaug Memorial Award. He attended UND on a hockey scholarship, where he received the Doug Tegtmeier Award, and was also a member of the tennis team.
Terry began coaching hockey and tennis with the Grand Forks Park District, and upon graduation from UND, coached football and hockey at Red River High School for four years until accepting a teaching and coaching position in East Grand Forks. A thirty-four year teaching career saw Terry serve in numerous hockey and tennis coaching positions, including twenty-three seasons as head boys and girls tennis coach.
Terry had individuals advance to eleven Minnesota State Tennis Tournaments, and saw his teams place 2nd and 4th during his tenure. The 1992 Minnesota State High School Coach of the Year also had three teams named as Academic State Champions. A highlight of his very successful coaching career was being the recipient of the United States Tennis Association Ward C. Burton Junior Development Award in 2006.
Throughout the years, Terry has been deeply involved in coaching youth hockey and tennis, including conducting clinics and developing off season drill programs for a number of athletes. Despite retiring from teaching in 2012, he continues to coach and teach tennis for local schools and individuals. He is strongly supported by his wife Judi, and children Carrie and Charlie. He joins his older sister, Mary, as a Grand Forks Central Athletic Hall of Fame inductee.