JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – After nearly 38 years of building a tennis community in Jacksonville, Harrell Thomas is calling it a career.
“I’m just happy and joyed that I’ve been able to make a difference in the city that I grew up and love and I’m thankful,” Thomas said. “We’ve just grown over the years. It’s just been a groundswell of emotions.”
Thomas is saying goodbye after working for the city of Jacksonville for almost four decades, and he was instrumental in building the tennis community in Jacksonville.
“Coach Thomas, when I think of him, he is synonymous with tennis in Jacksonville,” Jacksonville tennis player Lezita Davis said. “So, to think of this facility to exist without his presence is definitely going to be different. We will indeed embrace his replacement, but big shoes to fill in terms of what he has delivered in this community. How he has made tennis accessible for all.”
Thomas began his career back in 1986 on the same courts he’s retiring at, the Southside Tennis Complex. It all started when he began a kid’s summer camp.
At first it was just one camp.
Then, it grew to become eight camps all over the city teaching almost 200 kids the game. That wasn’t all. Thomas expanded to host clinics for adults as well.
“What’s interesting is how he can still keep us as a team, but still individualize those practices,” Jacksonville tennis player Teresa Matthews said. “Like, I’d be 50 feet away from him and he’d tell me ‘adjust your grip.’ Like how in the world did he see a quarter of an inch of a grip that needed to be fixed.”
Thomas’ job evolved over the years, taking on more responsibilities. In 2014, he became the city’s tennis facility manager and was in charge of all the public courts around Jacksonville. He did such a great job that under his leadership the city was awarded “Facility of the Year” at the US Open. But his work with the courts is similar to his winning culture on the court. Thomas competes nationally in tennis tournaments.
“I’ve evolved from a person that has been steadfast in wanting to win, to a person that wants everybody to be inclusive,” Thomas said. “Winning is good, but it’s not everything.”
Thomas is born and raised in Jacksonville. A proud 1975 graduate of Andrew Jackson, Thomas continued his education and playing career at JU. He’s ending a chapter of his decorated life as a leader in the tennis community. Countless stories describe how much he means to the city and how much he will be missed by his students.
“I mean, that’s the ultimate thing for an instructor is to be able to see the fruits of your labor and people come back and tell you that you meant something, not only in the sport, but in their lives,” Thomas said.
Thomas says he isn’t going far though. He is still a USTA certified tennis teaching professional and still wants to volunteer when needed.