Strong family legacy
The third annual Eddie Thomas Memorial Tennis Tournament had its biggest turnout ever on Saturday in Choudrant to honor the former Choudrant High tennis coach. Leader photo by Matt Belinson
CHOUDRANT – The late Eddie Thomas’ legacy still holds strong in the Choudrant and Lincoln Parish community, and it was evident once again at the third annual Eddie Thomas Memorial Tennis Tournament on Saturday.
With over 50 participants across men’s, women’s and mixed doubles teams, the annual memorial tennis tournament to honor the late Eddie Thomas, the founding tennis coach at Choudrant High School, was deemed a success by supporters and family members.
All proceeds went to support the Choudrant tennis program and the continued upkeep of the school’s courts, as well as a newly formed scholarship to help a graduating senior.
Blake Thomas, one of Eddie’s four sons, said Saturday was an opportunity for the Choudrant community and the parish at large to remember a man who dedicated his life to serving God and youth athletics.
“I think the main thing is he always kept God first, and he was a mentor to people, a godly leader, and he loved tennis, but he loved his family, his friends, and he loved God so that’s what I hope people remember him for,” Blake said. “It’s grown every year so that shows a lot of what he meant to the community and what he did for tennis for this community. It’s just special. And especially seeing the courts named after him that means a lot.”
Before his passing in August 2009, Eddie Thomas taught and coached at Choudrant High School and founded the tennis program in 1996. Throughout the course of his coaching tenure, Eddie worked with local businesses and applied for numerous grants to help build the large tennis courts that still stand at the high school today.
Laura Jackson, the current Choudrant High tennis coach, said Saturday’s tournament motivates her to keep the standard of the program high and reinforces her belief in the amount of support across Lincoln Parish.
“I’m just honored and blessed to try and carry on the tradition that he started and the program and what it all means to the community here and what it means to this family,” Jackson said.
“ Obviously, they’re so involved with tennis and Choudrant tennis and we’re so grateful they give a donation to the team every year from the proceeds of this tournament, and they also fund a scholarship program where they award a graduating senior a very nice scholarship which goes a long way as well.”
