WEST HARTFORD, CT – In his storied career as a high school tennis coach, Jim Solomon has done his fair share of winning.
But, even he was a bit surprised by his most recent win.
Solomon, an educator and tennis coach at Hall High School in West Hartford, was named Boys’ High School Coach of the Year by the National High School Coaches Association.
"I was certainly surprised and honored to win the award," said Solomon, who has served USTA New England as a coach of the 12 Zone team and as Tournament Director for the New England Junior Hard Court Championships. "I’ve been blessed with a decent talent base and an athletic department that values tennis."
Solomon will begin his 37th season as Hall’s tennis coach this academic year and he’ll be looking to add to some staggering numbers. During his tenure, the Warriors have amassed a 462-62 record, and have won three state championships and 18 league titles.
"You can’t operate in isolation," Solomon said. "This certainly is a team effort. From the administration, to the kids, to the custodial staff that takes excellent care of our tennis courts, there is a huge supporting cast that makes everything possible."
Hall’s run of success is made even more impressive when one considers the fact that Solomon has implemented the USTA’s No-Cut program for the last decade.
"I wish I had thought to do the No-Cut program years ago," said Solomon, who is able to accommodate more than 50 players per season, thanks a sparkling 12-court, on-campus tennis facility and the help of volunteer coaches. "To me, depriving a kid of the chance to participate in a lifetime sports is just unacceptable if you have a way to prevent it."
Solomon, who grew up a baseball player in his native Cincinnati, was a bit of a late-bloomer to tennis, having "caught the tennis bug" during his senior year at Trinity College.
"I try to give back to the game as much as I can," Solomon said. "I try to do a lot in service to tennis in the state of Connecticut."