Harold Holcomb's name is indelibly etched on the courts of Essexville. His influence has permeated every aspect of Essexville Garber tennis for over five decades. This is a legacy that continued even after his retirement in 2000 and is likely to remain strong following his passing at the age of 81. He was a coach who left a lasting impression on those he coached.

The Impact of a Coach

"What I take the most pride in is that the kids I've coached always want to stay in touch," Holcomb said in a 2000 story in The Bay City Times. "I was just their coach, but we ran our team like a family. When I see a former player, we don't just shake hands; we embrace. Because we know we've shared so much together."Holcomb's dedication to his players was evident. He coached the boys from 1972 to 2000, leading the Dukes to the state tournament 25 times in 29 years with a remarkable 221-94 record. He started the girls program in 1977 and directed it until 1996, achieving a 146-59 record and 10 state finals appearances.A Fremont native and Central Michigan University graduate, Holcomb joined Garber as a teacher in 1967 and also served as an assistant coach in football, basketball, and track. When given the opportunity to lead his own program, he embraced tennis, a sport he had never played before."I fell in love with a game that was completely new to me," he said in 2005. "This game taught me so much, and I realized that it doesn't matter whether you win or lose; it's about how you play the game. As a young person, I didn't believe that. But I came to understand that how you play the game prepares you for life. It was my destiny to coach this sport."

His Coaching Creed

Holcomb implemented his Three C's creed of commitment, consistency, and cooperation, which he applied to every sport. He placed a high emphasis on conditioning, and his teams were often seen running through the Essexville neighborhoods after practice.Some viewed him as a taskmaster, but his fun-loving side and gift for communication prevented him from being the strict coach. "It's hard to describe. He was tough, but in a humorous way," said his successor Nancy Brissette in a 2002 story when the facility was named Harold Holcomb Courts. "He had expectations for the kids, both physically and mentally, and he pushed them to reach those goals. But at the same time, he used humor to motivate them. And the kids had a great time with him."

Motivating the Team

Motivation was Holcomb's forte. He not only had his players ready for each contest but also had a talent for boosting their spirits during 30-second chats during the match."He'd always break the tension and make you feel better - then he'd tell you to start working on your backhand," 1987 grad Jon LaPorte said in a 2005 story. "He'd always say 'Hit a nickel shot in a nickel-shot situation. You don't always have to go for the big shot.' He was a fantastic motivator. He really cared about you and wanted you to win."Holcomb led the Dukes to seven regional championships in boys tennis and three in girls tennis. He was named the Michigan Coach of the Year three times and was inducted into the Michigan High School Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1992 and the Michigan High School Coaches Association Hall of Fame and the Bay County Sports Hall of Fame in 2005."Every year, I watched his team develop from raw talent and reach their peak during the regional season," said Joe Todey, the former athletic director at Garber, in a 2005 story. "It's a skill that not all coaches possess, but when his teams needed to perform, they always rose to the occasion."Holcomb retired in 2000 after 34 years as a physical education teacher for Essexville-Hampton Public Schools. He continued to teach computer classes at Delta College and Saginaw Valley State University and offered private tennis lessons.Following his wishes, no funeral service was planned. But each time the Garber Dukes step onto Harold Holcomb Courts, he will likely be remembered and commemorated.If you want to have your local high school sports news delivered to your inbox daily, click here and sign up for one of our local high school sports newsletters.Love reading about local sports? Don't miss any of the excitement from the upcoming season. Purchase your subscription now and get full access to every story on MLive!