A Heartfelt Salute to Coach Clyde “Doc” Woods on His 90th Birthday

Just days before his 90th birthday in early January, Coach Clyde “Doc” Woods was surrounded by five of his former FHU tennis players — Tom Dixon, Phil Oldham, Owen Mitchell, Ernie Ulmer and Bruce Thompson — who traveled to Henderson for a heartfelt reunion. The alumni, who played for him in the 1970s and 80s, gathered to honor the man they credit for making them better on and off the court.

The depth of their bond was clear as they recounted stories that spanned decades. Owen Mitchell, class of 1979, encapsulated the coach’s profound influence: “We lost two matches when you weren’t there. That shows that we needed you; we weren’t the same without you.” Mitchell continued, expressing his deepest gratitude, “Happy 90th birthday. I would not be where I am in life today without your friendship and mentoring — love you the most.”

The emotional reunion was filled with reflections on Woods’ personal investment in their lives. The men recalled years of adventures, laughter and great team camaraderie, highlighting Woods’ competitive spirit and his thorough knowledge of both tennis and the Bible. Ulmer, class of 1982, thanked Woods for letting him earn $100 for gas money in exchange for painting his home. Dixon, class of 1980, expressed appreciation to Woods for giving his quiet, younger self a chance on the team. Oldham, class of 1980, credited Woods for helping him land his first teaching job, and Thompson, class of 1981, thanked Woods for challenging all of them and putting the “hammer” down when necessary.

Woods affectionately calls the men his “guys.” They last reunited on FHU’s campus in October 2023 to spend time with their former coach and mentor. “You guys coming here and doing this speaks more about your character than it does me,” he said during a dinner held in his honor. The group took photos while reminiscing with the Woods family and several representatives from the FHU community.

The former players acknowledged that Doc’s lessons went beyond the game, teaching them how to be successful in life and follow Christ. They saw him as a daily example of a great husband and father, making the birthday celebration a powerful testament to a lasting legacy built on love, respect and deep, lifelong friendship.