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Written by: Vic Ramsey

Published: February 19, 2025

2025 NC Tennis Hall of Fame Class: Donald Clark, Don Flow, Janet Moseley, Ashley Rhoney

At a lavish ceremony on Saturday, February 1st, capping off this year's Tennis Weekend at Pinehurst Resort, the North Carolina Tennis Foundation inducted Donald Clark into its NC Tennis Hall of Fame.

An avid tennis player himself, Coach Clark began coaching tennis at Greene Central High School in 1988, taking the job "for a year" after being promised a baseball position the following year. The baseball position never materialized, and Donald began a 26-year tenure coaching tennis at the school. 

Greene Central was not a tennis powerhouse. His first men's team went 7-14, and his first two women's teams went 0-32 combined. But patience and hard work paid off. In 1994, Greene Central won a women's conference championship for the first time, beginning a streak of twenty straight conference championships. 

Coach Clark's 1998 women's team reached the state championship match, the first of seven consecutive second place finishes before finally winning the first of two state championships in 2005. Greene Central's men's team, meanwhile, went to four consecutive state finals from 2002-2005. 

In 2013, Clark retired from Greene Central and continued his teaching and coaching career at Arendell Parrott Academy and now, teaching at John Paul II Catholic High School in Greenville, he serves as the women's tennis coach at C.B. Aycock High School. In 2023, Coach Clark celebrated his 700th win, and he's still counting.

Donald Clark and wife, Dela, with members of the Greene Central tennis family
Coach Clark fueled the impressive run of success at Greene Central by helping to build an outstanding USTA program in Snow Hill, serving as both a USTA tournament director and referee for many years. He also helped inspire the construction of a 12-court tennis facility adjacent to Greene Central, the largest high school tennis faciiity in the state.

In 2007, Coach Clark helped found the NC High School Tennis Coaches Association, and served as its initial president for twelve years. He is currently serving as Vice President. In that capacity, Donald has been a consistent advocate for coaches, players, and parents from every corner of the state.

And, in 2020, Coach Clark was inducted into the NCHSAA Hall of Fame.

On behalf of the NCHSTCA, we extend our sincere congratulations to our friend and founder, Donald Clark.

Well done!

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