Godby named tennis coach
Christoper Godby was recently named Coach of the Laker Boys & Girls Tennis Programs. He returns to the role he served 20 years ago.
By Wade Daffron
TJ Editor
With talent, technique and tenacity, and man who could easily be described as an area legend is at the helm of the Laker Tennis Program.
Christopher Godby, well-known and admired for his skill and knowledge personally, and in helping others realize their potential, was announced as the new Laker Boys and Girls Tennis Coach on December 16.
A large crowd gathered in the Russell County High School Library to applaud the announcement.
Russell County High School Athletic Director (AD) Michael Carpenter said he was proud to introduce the familiar face.
“He’s no stranger to this program,” Carpenter said.
Godby began his coaching career in 1994 as volunteer assistant for Boys & Girls Tennis at Pulaski County High.
After a year there, he then went to Somerset High, (where he had played three years of Varsity Tennis as a student.)
Godby began cementing his relationship with RCHS when he moved here to become a teacher, Carpenter said.
“He was named as coach of the Laker Boys Tennis Team in 1997 and coached for ten seasons before retiring after the 2006 season,” the AD said. “During those ten seasons, he led the Boys Tennis Team to various accomplishments and milestones: a team record of 108 wins…two regional semifinals singles appearances, four regional semifinals doubles appearances, three regional finals appearances, seven top-five finishes in the team regionals in eight years-including a team regional third place finish in 2000, a team regional runner-up title in 2004, the school’s first and still-only regionals double title in 2004, three consecutive state tournament entries from 2004 to 2006, which included the school’s first-ever state tournament doubles appearance in 2004, and the school’s first ever state tournament match win in 2006.”
“In his final five seasons as coach, the Boys Team had one of the highest winning percentages among all boys’ sports in Russell County High School,” Carpenter said.
“Apart from high school tennis, in 2003, he founded the Central Kentucky Tennis Series, which operates public tennis tournaments every summer in central and south-central Kentucky,” the athletic director continued. “He just completed his 23rd year as chairman of the CKTS. As a parent of a Laker tennis player, in 2004, he helped form the Russell County Tennis Boosters and served as its first-ever president.”
“He returns today to take charge of the Laker Boys and Girls Tennis programs.”
Godby humbly said he appreciated the “confidence placed in me to lead the Russell County High School Tennis Program.”
“Pride in Laker Sports matters a lot in this community,” Godby said. “So, this opportunity is truly an honor. And it’s one that I take very seriously.”
Godby acknowledged the success of previous tennis coach Steven Kinder.
“For six years, Coach Kinder served this program with dedication and integrity,” Godby said. “And he cared deeply about these student athletes and the community. He’s highly regarded among Region 4 coaches, and I respect the work he’s done here, and the standard he held to uphold for Laker Tennis.”
Coach Godby reflected on his earlier stint with Laker Tennis.
“I had the privilege of coaching Laker Tennis before,” he said, “and I poured my heart, soul, energy, frustration, joy, laughter, celebration, heartbreak, and competitiveness into it for ten straight years.”
“And at that point, I guess I needed a 20-year break,” Godby laughed. “If I’m honest, though, there was a part of me that never really let coaching out of my system. And I could feel this after being back around the program for the last couple of years. So when this job suddenly became available again, I prayed about it (with family, friends and associates). I even called some former players and talked to them, and they didn’t try to talk me out of it. So here I am!”
“I’m incredibly grateful for this chance to return to the sport that has been a major part of my identity,” the coach said.
Godby previewed his philosophy toward leading the program.
“Because it’s not one of the ‘major’ sports, there’s a lot of history of Laker Tennis that’s been forgotten over time…sometimes too quickly,” Godby said. “One of my efforts in my time leading this program again will be to commemorate the success of the past, as we build for the future. I want to develop a strong relationship between alumni players and the program. And I’m taking a step in that direction.”
