By Addison Brown

BHS Journalism

Baldwin’s head Tennis coach. Jim Ashcraft has been the boys assistant coach for one year then coaching the boys tennis team for nine years, and the girls tennis team for seven. Ashcraft said the most difficult part about coaching tennis is how “Baldwin doesn’t have much of a tennis culture, so the biggest hardship has been very rarely having any players who have joined before playing the high school team. That’s why we learn a lot, but we don’t win nearly as often as I’d like.” 

 Ashcraft says he’s been playing tennis ever since he was only three years old. And growing up, he’d been taking lessons through Lawrence Parks and Rec when he was pre-k, and his kindergarten babysitter was his head tennis coach up until junior high.

 “I believe that sport is a wonderful way to learn a lot of life lessons in tennis, in particular, it is a great way to remain active and competitive throughout our entire lives.” Said Ashcraft.

Growing up, Ashcraft has played baseball, basketball, and soccer.“In high school, I dabbled in football and was the treasurer of my school ping pong club.” Said Ashcraft. As a teacher, he is also the Scholars Bowl coach, and sponsored chess clubs for a few years.

Ashcraft’s best season was his girl’s first season, when one of his doubles teams went 1-2 at state. He’s had only a few others make it into state during his time, yet all the rest of them went 0-2. Tennis was the only sport Ashcraft has ever coached.