Remembering the Lasting Legacy of Jim Poling

Tempe, AZ (June 13, 2024) – The Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) is saddened to learn of the sudden loss of Jim Poling, a dedicated figure within the college tennis community who left a lasting legacy at numerous programs as a head coach.

With over 40 years of leadership as a head coach, Poling’s coaching career took him to Mississippi State (1979-80), South Alabama (1980-83), Tulsa (1985-88), Rollins (1993-2002), and most recently Army (2002-22) where he would spend over half of his coaching career.

Compiling over 500 career victories, including 306 while at West Point, Poling left Army as the winningest coach in program history where he also educated, trained, and inspired cadets for nearly two decades, developing some of the brightest leaders of tomorrow.

While at Army, Poling was recognized as a recipient of the Mike Krzyzewski Award for Excellence in Teaching Character Through Sport. This 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.

As a former student-athlete himself, Poling was a three-time letter winner at Clemson and was named the team’s most valuable player as a junior. Following graduation, Polling spent two years serving in the Army where he earned a Bronze Star for his service in Vietnam.

Polling’s legacy will be remembered by his wife Marianne, his children Matthew, Lilian, and Karl, as well as the hundreds of student-athletes he has mentored over the years. The ITA thanks him for his never-waving commitment to college tennis and the lasting memories he has helped create for countless student-athletes.