Tennis and basketball seem to use very different skill sets, and it is rare that the two sports are linked. But in the case of Tommy Bartlett, the fit always came naturally. Bartlett’s distinguished athletic career began at Knoxville High School, where he was captain of every basketball and tennis team on which he played. After a stint in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1946 to 1948, he enrolled at the University of Tennessee. A captain of both the tennis team in 1951 and the basketball team in 1952, Bartlett truly excelled in both sports. He was All-SEC in basketball in 1952 and was undefeated in conference tennis, never losing a college singles or doubles match. Upon graduating cum laude from UT in 1952 with a B.S. in Health and Physical Education, Bartlett started an illustrious coaching career at Dandridge High. Then he went to Carson-Newman College, the University of Chattanooga (head basketball and tennis coach), the University of Tennessee (freshman basketball coach), the University of Florida (basketball coach), and finally the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in 1979 as head tennis coach for men and women. Throughout his coaching career, Bartlett has led his teams to numerous titles and championships. One of the most respected tennis technicians in the nation, Tommy Bartlett remained an excellent athlete as well. In 1982 he became the first pro tennis player to be named both Southern USPTA Coach of the Year and Player of the Year!
