After 35 years, Oak Ridge's Ann Frome retires from coaching junior tennis

Oak Ridge

Ann stepped  up to organize and coach the inaugural Jefferson Middle School tennis team 35 years ago.  Robertsville Middle School Tennis Coach Jim Zitzman mentored Ann in the development of the friendly rival Jefferson team.

During the summer following the initial season of the JMS tennis program, Ann organized and coached the inaugural Oak Ridge summer competitive team sponsored by the U.S. Tennis Association. Players from Robertsville and Jefferson joined together during the summer to form a united team playing against teams and clubs in the Greater Knoxville area.  While playing in the upper division over the years the team won many Knoxville area titles, three Tennessee state championships, and placed as high as fourth in the seven state regional competition.

Ann was the assistant Oak Ridge High School tennis coach in 2005. Three ORHS players who had played on her Jefferson and summer USTA teams advanced to the state tournament in Memphis that year. Two players, including her daughter Julie, received scholarships to play college tennis.

In recent years Ann’s tennis program morphed from highly competitive play into an on court  family friendly festive program. Parents, grandparents, and siblings were included in on court participation. Younger siblings served as ball boys and girls.