Army West Point Athletics
Poling Named 2020 Coach K Award Recipient
April 30, 2020 | General, Men's Tennis, Athletics
WEST POINT, N.Y. – Army West Point head men's tennis coach Jim Poling was honored as one of the 2020 recipients of the Mike Krzyzewski Award for Excellence in Teaching Character Through Sport on Thursday afternoon.
The award is presented each year to coaches and cadets who have shown outstanding commitment to the development of noble character through athletic participation and leadership. The 1969 United States Military Academy (USMA) graduate takes time each spring to recognize awardees with a certificate and medal for their dedication to the advancement of the West Point community. This year, the awards were presented in a virtual setting with Coach K, USMA and ODIA staff, cadets and more.
"First, I would like to congratulate Coach Poling on receiving this prestigious award," said Mike Buddie, Director of Athletics, Army West Point. "Building honorable leaders is something we pride ourselves in here at the academy and Coach Poling has done an outstanding job guiding our athletes toward his mission. His commitment to the advancement of the Army West Point athletics community and his dedication to the development of our cadet athletes is beyond appreciated by our staff. I look forward to seeing the continued impact that Coach Poling has on the cadets here at West Point."
Poling will enter his 19th season at the helm of the Army West Point men's tennis program. He has dedicated his life to coaching over the last 34 years and with the Black Knights 9-6 record this season, surpassed his 500 career-wins mark, amassing a 506-346 record.
"Athletics is such an important part of West Point and there are so many coaches, instructors and cadets that are deserving of the Coach K Award. So I was very honored to have been nominated," said Poling. "Having been here for a good while now, I am well aware of all that Coach K has done for our Academy. And of course what he has done for the world of basketball through the years. I understand why he is held in such high esteem. I am very humbled and, I must admit, surprised to have won the award."
In his 18 years leading the Black Knights, Poling has been a six-time Patriot League Coach of the Year selection, boasts a 279-179 record, six Patriot League Championship titles, 17 conference championship appearances and has mentored six Patriot League Players of the Year and four Rookie of the Year honorees. In 2015, he became the program's all-time wins leader as head coach, passing Dr. Steve Strome (176 wins).
"For the last 18 years, it has been the greatest honor of my life to be the men's tennis coach here at West Point," added Poling. "I have coached at a fair number of schools in my career, but no place has meant as much to me as this place has. How lucky am I to get to use the sport I love for such an important mission, to develop the future leaders of this country. I love working with our players and watching them grow and mature as players and as human beings. They are all unique and bring some special challenges, but every one of them gives all they've got at practice and matches. When we travel and compete I can't help but notice how close our team is."
The award is presented each year to coaches and cadets who have shown outstanding commitment to the development of noble character through athletic participation and leadership. The 1969 United States Military Academy (USMA) graduate takes time each spring to recognize awardees with a certificate and medal for their dedication to the advancement of the West Point community. This year, the awards were presented in a virtual setting with Coach K, USMA and ODIA staff, cadets and more.
"First, I would like to congratulate Coach Poling on receiving this prestigious award," said Mike Buddie, Director of Athletics, Army West Point. "Building honorable leaders is something we pride ourselves in here at the academy and Coach Poling has done an outstanding job guiding our athletes toward his mission. His commitment to the advancement of the Army West Point athletics community and his dedication to the development of our cadet athletes is beyond appreciated by our staff. I look forward to seeing the continued impact that Coach Poling has on the cadets here at West Point."
Poling will enter his 19th season at the helm of the Army West Point men's tennis program. He has dedicated his life to coaching over the last 34 years and with the Black Knights 9-6 record this season, surpassed his 500 career-wins mark, amassing a 506-346 record.
"Athletics is such an important part of West Point and there are so many coaches, instructors and cadets that are deserving of the Coach K Award. So I was very honored to have been nominated," said Poling. "Having been here for a good while now, I am well aware of all that Coach K has done for our Academy. And of course what he has done for the world of basketball through the years. I understand why he is held in such high esteem. I am very humbled and, I must admit, surprised to have won the award."
In his 18 years leading the Black Knights, Poling has been a six-time Patriot League Coach of the Year selection, boasts a 279-179 record, six Patriot League Championship titles, 17 conference championship appearances and has mentored six Patriot League Players of the Year and four Rookie of the Year honorees. In 2015, he became the program's all-time wins leader as head coach, passing Dr. Steve Strome (176 wins).
"For the last 18 years, it has been the greatest honor of my life to be the men's tennis coach here at West Point," added Poling. "I have coached at a fair number of schools in my career, but no place has meant as much to me as this place has. How lucky am I to get to use the sport I love for such an important mission, to develop the future leaders of this country. I love working with our players and watching them grow and mature as players and as human beings. They are all unique and bring some special challenges, but every one of them gives all they've got at practice and matches. When we travel and compete I can't help but notice how close our team is."
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