Connecticut Legend Solomon Reflects on 50 Years of Coaching

For the past 30-plus years, he’s run his successful team as a no-cut coach, allowing as many as 70 players to participate in the largest program in the state.  

Solomon has also served as the state tournament director for 25 years, is the Boys’ Tennis Chair for the Connecticut High School Coaching Commission and is the former chair for 10 years of USTA New England’s Good Sport Committee.

We caught up with Jim, who is recently retired from teaching, to ask him about his 50 years at Hall.

How did you begin your high school coaching journey?

I was a first-year English teacher and was coaching freshman baseball, and the principal asked me if I was interested in coaching the tennis team, and I said absolutely. At the time, I was excited just doing it because I loved the balance of teaching and coaching.

The first year was the most challenging for me. I was just 24 and the new guy in town and we had to use the clay courts across the street because we didn’t have our own.

I took it, kept growing and evolving and went one point, one match, one practice at a time. It was a very existential existence.

What has this no-cut policy done for your program?

Besides not having to spend a week doing tryouts, it’s created a much more welcoming and positive experience for all. We have a ‘team 1’ and ‘team 2’ sort of equivalent to a varsity and JV, however we view everyone as teammates, one squad, where anyone can play in a team 1 match. We’re all part of the Hall tennis family.

Some players have no aspirations of playing for the top team and are perfectly content being recreational. There’s something for everyone. We also have two practice times reduced from 2.5 to 1.5 hours each. More is not necessarily better, as it forces people to play better and harder, maximizing the time they do have.

What are you most proud of in your career?

I’m so proud of that pivot to a no-cut program. It was a career changer for me. There are plenty of matches I can’t remember, but it’s the individuals who have played and relationships I had with them that stand out. I enjoy helping young people become better tennis players and feel the work we’ve done has influenced quite a few to become better people over the course of their lives.