Tennis started at O’Neal in 1975 as a combined team. They traveled to courts off campus to practice and compete. In 1979 the teams divided, and O’Neal was able to compete in girls and boys tennis. In 2004, the campaign to build tennis courts on campus was chaired by Drs. Glen and Diane Subin, who’s sons all played tennis. Them along with other parents of the 2003/2004 tennis teams led the way in raising funds to build the six-court complex on campus. The Booster Club was also a generous donor to the effort.
Fast forward 10 years and the tennis courts needed repair. Long-time tennis coach Don Woodfield had retired in June of 2012. In August of 2012, The Booster Club and tennis parents united to put together a grass roots campaign to raise $12,500 for the $25000 project. $2500 had already been attained and the Booster Club committed $10,000 to the project. The campaign was to last only a few weeks and it was to honor Don Woodfield. Called The Woodfield Challenge, the campaign was a success. The winter of 2012/2013 the courts were resurfaced.
The upgrade was timely, as the boys’ tennis team managed to win state runner up in 2014. In 2019 they secured the state championship for the first time.
Falcons Fly to 50
O’Neal is excited to share its history with readers as it quickly nears its 50th year in educating and cultivating youth in becoming successful, effective contributors to communities large and small. The official celebration starts school year 2021/2022. This weekly blog will focus on different aspects of the School as it grew through the years. With every entry, there is just as much more information to gather than what is already written. Readers who have been a part of the O’Neal community are encouraged to reach out and share their O’Neal memories. It is with great hope that the efforts of many in contributing information and photography can be published into a book for reflection and reference as the School continues to prosper for the next 50 years.
Please send your memoirs and photos to:
The O’Neal School
c/o Kathy Taylor, Director of Communications
P.O. Box 290
Southern Pines, NC 28388
Email: ktaylor@onealschool.org