Carl Hodge is a retired General Tennis Manager of Macon-Bibb County (2019), where he served for twenty-plus years. He is the owner of Middle Georgia Tennis, where he trains players of all skill levels. Carl coaches tennis at First Presbyterian Day School (FPD). In his first full year as Tennis Coach, FPD completed its first undefeated season, first regional championship, and became the 2021 Girls State High School Champions --their first tennis championship in school's history.
Carl is a founding partner of Inclusion Management Group, an organization developed to assist youth regardless of social, race, ethnicity, or income level by providing them an opportunity to pursue their goals in both sporting activities and educational ones.
Carl attended Morehouse College and graduated cum laude with a B.A. in accounting. While at Morehouse, he served as a two-time team Captain for the Maroon Tiger's Tennis Team and led his team to three consecutive conference titles. He was a three-time all-conference player.
While in college, Carl participated in the R.O.T.C. program, which led to an eight-year service in the United States Airforce. Carl was selected to travel and compete on the All-Air Force Tennis Team during his service.
From 1992-1996, he served as Head Tennis Coach for Mercer University Men's and Women's teams (N.C.A.A. Division I.). His men's team moved from last in their conference to the top four during his four years and posted a 22-3 season.
In 1996, he operated one of Macon-Bibb County's tennis facilities; in 2001, his role was expanded to manage all its public tennis facilities: The John Drew Smith (24 courts) and Tattnall Square Tennis Center (12 courts.) Both facilities are full-service facilities with full-time staff and eleven contract tennis professionals. The John Drew Smith Center is one of the premier tennis facilities in the United States, host to many national, southern regional, state, and local tournaments. Under Carl's leadership, the John Drew Smith Tennis was twice recognized as the top municipal facility in the United States.
As tennis manager, he received several proclamations from the City. Although still a county employee as Tennis Manager, Carl had contract rights to operate comprehensive tennis program operations to include a full-service tennis pro shop. He provided yearly tennis programs to the local Bibb County School System during and after school. During his tenure, Carl received numerous awards from the local community tennis association, USTA Georgia, and USTA Southern Tennis Associations.
In 1998, he founded Middle Georgia Tennis Academy, a non-profit organization that served 38 public and private elementary schools in Macon-Bibb County, GA. His National Junior Tennis League Chapter (N.J.T.L.) served over 1,800 school children each year through these programs. In addition, The Middle Georgia Tennis and Education Program teamed with the Board of Education from 1999 to 2012 to operate an After-School Tennis/Education program licensed by the state as a Quality Childcare Program for the Alexander II Magnet School.
In 2011, Carl developed a Master Plan, "An Opportunity to Become World Class." In 2014, the plan resulted in three distinct projects.
Three and a half million dollars to the renovation of the John Drew Smith Tennis
The construction of seventeen Pickleball Courts at Tattnall Square Tennis Center
The construction of a new facility containing twenty-three lighted full-sized tennis courts and eight pickleball courts for Macon-Bibb County's Southside residents.
The facilities now serve as host of many state and national tournaments.
In addition, Carl's on-court accolades include thirteen state doubles titles with his partner, Milton Myers Black Tennis Hall of Fame. As double's partners, the pair earned multiple year-end #1 rankings in Georgia and Southern. They also received a #5 USTA national ranking.
Carl has competed in American Tennis Association across the U.S., including Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, and Houston, where he won his first National 45s Singles championship.
Carl is certified by the United States Professional Tennis Association and the United States Professional Tennis Registry.
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