Jelks’ NJTL grows tennis in Greenville, Miss.
There’s a reason why Birlette Jelks walked away with two prestigious awards when the USTA Southern held its annual awards ceremony in Atlanta in January.
He has spent four decades building Greenville, Miss., tennis into something of a powerhouse of its own in the middle of football country. Jelks went with tennis all the way, playing college tennis and seeing his son and daughter also take the tennis route into varsity teams.
Jelks took time out after a college tennis career at Alcorn State University in Lorman, Miss., to join the U.S. Air Force for four and a half years. He played tennis for whatever base he was assigned.
Birlette Jelks teaches tennis in Greenville, Miss.
He retired in 1977 with the rank of sergeant, turning down an opportunity to attend officer candidate school. “I didn’t want to reenlist for another six years,” he said.
He extolled returning to his hometown of Greenville, a city now of nearly 30,000 residents in the Delta area of Mississippi. “I worked at the Boys and Girls Club when I returned to Greenville,” he said.
And he continued his love for playing and teaching tennis.
“It started with my kids, and other kids that the coaches had,” he said.
The once small tennis programs have sparkled over the years to include 75-100 kids of all ages, 6-7 ages through 18. And this time Jelks was “fortunate with the timing.”
Birlette Jelks accepts an award at the USTA Southern Annual Meeting. Photo: Erik Scherb
He led the Greenville NJTL to 2024 USTA Southern NJTL Chapter of the Year recognition and was personally honored with the current USTA Southern Educational Merit Award.
His family receive the 2004 USTA Southern Mickey McNulty Family of the Year.
“Birlette is an absolute champion! His unwavering passion for tennis is only surpassed by his deep commitment to the youth in his district. But passion alone is not enough — action is where the real impact happens,” said Jean Marie Simon, the USTA Southern Manager, NJTL & Foundation.
“Birlette is a living example of this principle, dedicating countless volunteer hours to mentoring and empowering students. His relentless efforts help these young individuals overcome obstacles, beat the odds, and emerge as successful people who will shape the future,” she added.
As a result of Birlette’s guidance, the six-court Wards Tennis Center in Greenville was able to resurface its six-court complex earlier in 2024 after Greenville’s NJTL chapter received a $30,000 USTA Foundation grant.
Jelks is especailly proud of one the NJTL's graduate, Julianne Portilla, who received a college scholarship from USTA Mississippi.
The tennis center normally charges for tennis camps, but Jelks said, “We charge, but no one is turned away.”
Jelks and his staff put on free clinics for all ages on Saturday mornings as well as conduct summer clinics. He also finds time to serve as a referee for the local soccer programs.
“I am a volunteer, giving back to tennis what it has given me and my family,” said Jelks, a PTR certified teaching pro. “I teach at public tennis courts under the title of NJTL coach and chapter leader.”
The Greenville NJTL chapter also participates in the annual Arthur Ashe Essay Contest. Baruni Jakkula was winner of the Mississippi Arthur Ashe Contest earlier.
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James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award for print media. A 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.
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