Boys Varsity Tennis is led by Coach Tom Hunt with the goal of “not only competing to win, but also emphasizing unity and cooperation to grow together.” The team consists of 3 upperclassmen, 3 sophomores, and 2 freshmen. For Coach Hunt, the goal is much bigger than trophies; it is to develop athletes who can handle victory and defeat and to teach the players resilience, teamwork, and respect for the game.
Coach Hunt is a Boston native and was coached by Hall of Fame coach Arnie Brown. As a young student-athlete, he played against future professional players like Tim Mayotte. At Dover-Shelburne High School, he lost only one match in four years. Now, 30 years later, he teaches with the same passion. During the school day, he teaches Shakespeare; in the afternoon, he encourages athletes on the court: “Get your steps!” “Stay sharp!” Coach Hunt teaches the boys tennis team two basic principles: “Don’t beat yourself up” and “Practice harder and smarter.” These principles are incorporated into every practice. The players sweat through each round, learn hard skills, and then fight hard in competition. “Hate to lose, but never be afraid to lose,” says Coach Hunt. He coaches them to bounce back when they encounter difficulties, because tennis, like life, isn’t perfect, but how you “bounce back” is what defines you as a person.
Sophomore Jeremiah Murphy ’26 demonstrated this attitude last season. In an intense tiebreaker against his opponent, he came from behind and remained calm while his teammates waited in suspense. When his final shot won the third tiebreaker and the match, the celebration was as much about the mental toughness that Coach Hunt teaches as it was about the score.
That same spirit was demonstrated in a 6-1 win over Brunswick School in April, a two-time defending New England champion. Kent’s players remained calm under pressure. Even when Brunswick was swept, our athletes lived up to Coach Hunt’s creed: “Be humble when you win.” More than the win, Coach Hunt is pleased with the maturity of his players, who applauded the beautiful shots of their opponents.
Last but not least, Coach Hunt praised the character of his players. They always shook hands after a loss, never threw their rackets, and always encouraged each other during tough matches. “These are good kids,” he said, “They respect the game, they respect their opponents, and they respect themselves.” Coach Hunt hoped the discipline and grace they learned on the court would stay with them for the rest of their lives.
