Winston-Salem State University (WSSU) Director of Athletics
Etienne Thomas has announced the hiring of
Harold Moore as the women's tennis coach.
"I am excited to have Coach
Harold Moore join us as the Director of our Tennis Center and Head Women's Tennis Coach at WSSU," said
Etienne Thomas, Director of Athletics. "My commitment to the student-athletes was to ensure that we had leadership in place prior to the start of the academic year and I was excited to be able to have Coach join us at the end of July. His pedigree speaks for itself and his involvement and engagement in the WSSU and Winston-Salem community. He has a great affinity and heart for the Rams, has watched us from a far and has always wanted to connect the dots and build a bridge between WSSU tennis and the Winston-Salem community especially the community he serves as a private tennis instructor and running his own tennis academy."
"I've had a chance to be out and about with Coach Moore and it has been very impressive to watch as he navigates the relationships that he's built through the tennis world in Winston-Salem and I see that as a great opportunity for our student-athletes not only here on the court but also as they continue their academic success and matriculation and also reach for future goals and endeavors in careers and the highest levels of tennis."
"I wanted a championship program here at WSSU and I know that Coach Moore is that leader that will help take the program to the next level," said
Etienne Thomas.
In Moore's second season with the Rams' he was named the CIAA Tennis Coach of the Year. the team thus far is on the way to accomplishing more than last season. In the CIAA roundup, the Rams finished 3-2 defeating Elizabeth City State, Virginia Union (was a shutout), and Bowie State. Currently, the Rams are 5-5 in the CIAA. Coach Moore has been very involved in the community and the Rams hosted two USTA Tennis Daze, which had great turnouts both times. He also has brought back working with the youth and has hosted numerous youth programs and increased the Rams community service hours by parenting with Union Baptist to host tennis clinics. Coach Moore and the Rams have volunteered with over 300 kids this year in the #RamsintheCommunity initiative.
Moore started his tennis career at the age of six years old and played high school tennis on championship teams from P. S. Jones High School and Washington High School in Washington, NC. Harold received a full scholarship at North Carolina Central University and helped his teams there win two Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championships.
After two years at NCCU, he returned home and worked in materials management positions for 11 years, receiving numerous promotions before returning to NCCU and completing his degree in 1987.
Harold accepted an offer from Carter-Wallace as a District Sales Manager and helped his Region win the Carter-Wallace National Sales Award in 1990. The prize for this award was a tour of Rome, Florence and other cities in Italy. In 1993 Harold started his first business,
Harold Moore's Specialty Advertising Company and a year later formed
Harold Moore's Professional Tennis Services. During all these previous years he played tennis tournaments around North Carolina.
Harold Moore's Professional Tennis Services produced several #1 high school and college players in the Winston Salem area, including former Wake Forest #1 David Hopkins and Aja Grant and China Brown of Winston Salem State University. Harold's philosophy with students has been academics and family values first and over 16 of his students have become doctors since 1999. For this, he received the Education Merit Award from the North Carolina Tennis Association.
In 2014 Harold accepted the position of Head Coach at Forsyth country Day School for Girls/Boys Tennis. During his tenure at FCDS he has been awarded 4 Conference Coach of the Year Awards. His teams have won 4 conference championships and in 2022 his boys' team won the NCISAA State Playoff Championship with a 16-3 record. His 2021 girls' team finished their season with a 15-3 record. Coach Moore has also received the Jim Tabias Award from Forsyth Country Day School which is the top award given to one coach each year.
Coach Moore continues to have a positive impact on tennis in the Winston-Salem area with his tennis services academy and plans to expand services, where allowed, to promote tennis and education enrichment across the city of Winston-Salem and beyond. Coach Moore is excited to start his new career as Head Coach of Women's Tennis at Winston Salem State University on August 15, 2022.
Coach Moore's accomplishments also include NABA Fundraiser of the Year in 1984-85, the J. C. Scarborough Award for Outstanding Service in 1986 and the NABA NCCU School of Business Outstanding Service Award.
