James Parker, who is best known for his talents in tennis – coaching and playing – will be inducted into the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame when the 36th event (2020 event not held due to COVID) is held at 6:30 p.m., April 14 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center.

WNWS.COM visited with James for a question and answer session to discuss his life on and off the tennis court.

Question: First, a little background – where were you born, family, education, career?

Answer: I was born in Nashville, TN and moved to Jackson when I was 10. I was an only child. I graduated from Jackson High School, Jackson State Community College with an Associate’s Degree and Lambuth College with a B.A. Degree.

I had a 32-year career with the Social Security Administration.

Question: What were your thoughts when you were first told you had been selected for induction into the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame?

Answer: I certainly wasn’t expecting it, but I was very thankful and very grateful.

Question: Locally, you are well-known for your talents in tennis. How did you become interested in the game, what was it like to play on the college level and how special was it to be inducted into the Lambuth University Sports Hall of Fame?

Answer: I was working on developing a golf game when I received a tennis racket as an unwanted Birthday gift. After playing tennis for a while, I fell in love with the game.

When playing in college, I realized how much work it was going to demand in order to play on a higher level.

I was very thankful and honored that Lambuth recognized me for my time as a player and also, much later as a coach who tried to improve their tennis program.

Question: You have claimed – numerous times – the City’s top prize in tennis – The Roberts Cup. What was the feeling when you won your first title?

Answer: I was very excited and thankful because that was the first goal I set for myself in tennis.

Question: Besides playing the game, you also teach lessons and coach the game. Would you tell us about the approach you take to teaching and your most satisfying moments in coaching?

Answer: Even though I was certified by USPTA as a tennis instructor I always made sure that anyone who wanted to learn could afford the lessons they needed. In addition to teaching them to play the game competitively and encouraging them to work hard, I wanted to make sure it was always fun.

Question: Would you give us an idea of what you will speak about when you are inducted into the Hall of Fame?

Answer: Sharing thoughts about tennis in general and then my personal memories of tennis in Jackson – and thanking some of those who were involved in my tennis memories.

John Collins, Tommy Dean, AJ Merriweather, James Parker and Jennifer Moore-Wilkerson are the newest members of the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame.

For more information – tickets and reservations, call Beth Sedberry (731) 616-8558.

(PHOTO: James Parker)