Calkins: Paul Sax is about to stop teaching tennis. But that’s not all we can learn.
University Club tennis coach Paul Sax (back) works with a client during a training session on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. (Mark Weber/The Daily Memphian)
Geoff Calkins
Geoff Calkins has been chronicling Memphis and Memphis sports for more than two decades. He is host of "The Geoff Calkins Show" from 9-11 a.m. M-F on 92.9 FM. Calkins has been named the best sports columnist in the country five times by the Associated Press sports editors, but still figures his best columns are about the people who make Memphis what it is.
Paul Sax is getting misty.
He is not getting misty because he is retiring from his longtime gig as a tennis coach at the University Club, though it may be related to that. He is getting misty because he is telling a story and the subject is kindness. Not extravagant kindness. Just quiet human kindness. The sort that may be going out of style.
This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.
Topics
Paul Sax University Club Mike Cody Bill Rodgers Subscriber OnlyThank you for being a subscriber to The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
As a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization with a hybrid business model, we rely on a mix of revenue from subscriptions (50%), advertising, events and miscellaneous earned income (25%) and fundraising (25%).
Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian today.
👉 Your subscription pays for you to read all our journalism.
👉 Your donation powers the work we do to reach everyone else with the news.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now.
Geoff Calkins on demand
Never miss an article. Sign up to receive Geoff Calkins' stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Related stories
Calkins: Bill Rodgers and Joan Benoit Samuelson running Sunday in Memphis
Calkins: Everyone loved Reggie Barnes — which is how he reshaped Memphis sports
Archie Manning said Reggie Barnes “had a gift for bringing people together.” For the better part of five decades, Barnes — who died Monday — used that gift to promote Memphis sports.
Calkins: It’s the end of an era in Memphis. Here’s Sister Trudy to explain.
One hundred and forty-one years ago, the first Sisters of Charity of Nazareth arrived in Memphis. On Monday, the last one left town. But Sister Trudy Foster left behind a legacy — and some words to live by.
Comments
Want to comment on our stories or respond to others? Join the conversation by subscribing now. Only paid subscribers can add their thoughts or upvote/downvote comments. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.