Jim Solomon is celebrating his fiftieth year as head coach for the boy’s tennis team at West Hartford’s Hall High School. While it may be true that one can enjoy a half-century-long career without an inordinate number of accolades, in Jim’s case there may be more accolades than there are years behind him. He holds the record for the most dual match wins of any tennis coach (over 500), won four state titles, 23 league championships and, in the words of The Hartford Courant in 2019, “is the all-time winningest boys tennis coach in the state.”
Jim, an English teacher, went above and beyond the call of duty to create a culture where sportsmanship and the need for every young athlete to reach a personal best is the goal. It is a working philosophy that has stood the test of time. Many note how the veteran and much-loved coach pushes players to work hard, to learn as much from losses as from wins, and to never let down their personal commitments to live exemplary lives on and off the court. He relates exceedingly well to all players and fosters special connections that last indefinitely.
More than 30 years ago, Jim instituted the first ‘no cut’ team policy and created the first junior varsity team. His career embraced more than just sports and English; he ran the highly effective ASK program, which combines academic help and mentoring for students who are at risk of missing the chance to graduate. Jim has stated that teaching made him a better coach and that coaching made him a better teacher. He’s both.