Jack Hodges: Serving Up #GoucherProud As A Coach And Professional Tennis Player

Jack Hodges has spent most of his life on the tennis court. For the majority of student-athletes, their time as an athlete ends when they walk across the stage on graduation day. Not for Hodges, who continues to play and teach the game of tennis since graduating in 2018. 

Hodges has been working at a tennis academy in the south of France in a town called Aix en Provence. He is a traveling player and coach on the professional circuit, following and mentoring a player ranked 750 in the world.

Hodges journey started in London, England, and he came to the Goucher College campus in the fall of 2014 and would leave after helping start a Gopher tennis dynasty.

"I chose Goucher because when I stepped on campus and was greeted by the tennis team, I knew instantly that that was the group of people I wanted to surround myself with for the next four years," said Hodges. "The campus and the close-knit feel that Goucher gives off drew me in within minutes. I am very grateful I trusted my gut all the way."

Since joining the Landmark Conference before Hodges' arrival, the Blue and Gold did not win more than five games before the squad won a high of eight matches in Hodges' final season at Shrewsbury School. After he arrived at Goucher, the team would win at least 14 games in his four seasons including 20-win seasons in his sophomore and season campaign.

During Hodges' four seasons, Goucher posted a 73-27 record and the team won the Landmark Conference title and earned a berth into the NCAA Tournament in his final three campaigns. Hodges was an all-conference performer all four years in doubles, a three-time All-Landmark Conference first-team honoree in both singles and doubles, and he was named the Landmark Conference Player of the Year in his senior campaign. He finished his career ranking second in career singles wins (62) and the program's all-time career leader in doubles wins (63).

"What will always be most memorable to me is the feeling of camaraderie and togetherness I felt in every single team huddle throughout my entire Goucher career," said Hodges. "It's the people I experienced those moments with that stay with me."

When Goucher won its first Landmark Conference title, the Gophers faced off against Yeshiva in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The squad beat Yeshiva 5-2 in that match and Hodges recorded the program's first-ever win at the NCAA Tournament in singles play with a 7-5, 6-4 win at No. 2 singles. It was a moment during that match that Hodges remembers fondly.

"Perhaps the most vivid sensation that stays with me to this day is a feeling of belief that wafted over our team in our first NCAA run against Yevisha at Carnegie Mellon University," said Hodges. "The tide was beginning to turn on several courts and as it did Coach (Brendan) Kincaid shouted, "Now we're believing!". In that instant, the entire energy on all six courts seemed to shift. That moment, not even that win, is one that still gives me goosebumps."

Hodges had some great experience on the tennis court at Goucher, but he also appreciated simple things in life like enjoying a poetry class with sunshine and a breeze sitting in the gazebo. Like most people, Hodges enjoyed his time with the Goucher community.

"In my current situation, traveling the world with my tennis rackets on my back, what is truly essential is how I interact with those around me," said Hodges. "Goucher gave me the opportunity to meet people from so many different walks of life, and most importantly to listen to their stories. Being able to hear people without judgment is the greatest tool Goucher has given me, and one I use every day."

Goucher taught Hodges a lot of things like managing time and health, especially now that Hodges spends a lot of time with a suitcase in tow. Something things take time and something you need to learn from your mistakes.

"Being able to organize myself and the professional player whom I travel with is absolutely vital," said Hodges. Understanding how to manage our time and our bodies whilst traveling and competing is a crucial part of this lifestyle. Of course, this comes with trial and error, but without the guidance of my coach at Goucher, I would not feel quite so secure in my decisions and my routines today. The balance one finds between the physical and mental facets as a student-athlete is something I strive to maintain in my life as I continue this journey I am currently on." 

Hodges has experience of being a coach and professional athlete for the last two years and has some sound advice for anyone looking to become a professional athlete.

"Professional sports, playing or coaching, is not for the faint of heart," said Hodges. "Understand that to do this in any real way requires intense sacrifice. But perhaps most significant is finding the people with whom you want to surround yourself. Find that team, find that player, find that friend, and if you believe in them, and if you believe in yourself, then everything should be just fine."

Goucher has given Hodges so many opportunities as a student-athlete as a three-time conference champion and the player of the year in the league, but he knows what makes the college a great experience and hopes that the current student body soaks up everything that Goucher offers.

"Enjoy the closeness of life at Goucher," said Hodges. "Appreciate the ease of seeing the people you love every day. And do not take for granted the excellence of your professors, coaches, and peers. Finding motivated, kind, and dedicated people is no mean feat in this world, so be grateful when you do."

Hodges will never forget about his time at Goucher and he makes sure that everywhere he goes he shows that he is #GoucherProud. He proudly started the Goucher men's tennis championship run and still wears his championship shirt in France, Tunisia or wherever his tennis rackets take him.