CHAPEL HILL—A member of this year’s induction class of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Hall of Fame is joining another hall.
Lindsey Linker, one of the state’s top tennis coaches and currently coaching at East Chapel Hill, will be a member of the 2014 induction class for the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame, according to the North Carolina Tennis Foundation. Linker and Lawson Duncan will join the North Carolina Tennis Hall during special ceremonies in January of 2014.
While at Myers Park High School, Linker was named All-Conference three times and became a captain her senior year. Her success as a junior propelled her to UNC-Chapel Hill where she became a four-year letter winner for the Tar Heels. In 1977, she helped guide her team to an Atlantic Coast Conference championship.
After graduating with a Masters of Arts in Teaching from UNC, she began coaching the men’s and women’s tennis teams at Chapel Hill High School where she also taught Physical Education classes. During her 10-year tenure at Chapel Hill, she led her teams to a 294-39 record, including two NCHSAA dual team state 4-A championships. She also molded three individual state 4-A champions and was named PAC 6 Coach of the Year 13 times. Despite Linker’s many accolades acquired from success on the court, it’s the accomplishments off the court that she credits as her greatest achievements.
“Being able to instill the concept of ‘team’ in a sport that is traditionally individual is something I’ve also been proud of,” said Linker. “Seeing young people experience that feeling of being a part of a team, and all the life skills that come along with that: displaying class while winning humbly or losing graciously, putting the team before yourself, the rewards of hard work and self-discipline, etc. That, and maintaining close contact with former players who have gone on to do great things in college tennis and life.”
In 1993, Lindsey took a position at Culbreth Middle School as a Physical Education teacher and tennis coach. She became the coach at East Chapel Hill High School in 1998, and finally moved there to teach, as well, in 2001. Her record to date includes a remarkable 587-62 mark that features 14 NCHSAA dual team state championships. She has also coached 10 individual state champions there, either on the 3-A or 4-A level.
Linker credits her passion for the game and ability to shape young lives as one of the best parts about being a high school coach.
