John Cavett
John Anthony (Tony) Cavett, after a battle with a rare form of dementia, went to his eternal home on August 3, 2018. Tony was a lifelong resident of Cleveland beginning September 21, 1954. For decades in Bradley County, if you thought of the sport of Tennis, you thought of Tony. He dedicated his professional life to the sport he loved and spent his life sharing that love with others. He was introduced to the game of Tennis by his friend and Pastor - Jim Gibson.
After playing football and graduating from Cleveland High School in 1972, Tony began his Tennis career in college as a CSCC Cougar. He was a 1975 graduate of CSCC with an Associate Degree in Applied Science - Physical Education emphasis. He then attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga continuing in Physical Education. He received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Tusculum University in Organizational Management.
Tony's professional career in Tennis began at the Cleveland Country Club in April 1979 where he remained Pro until August 2014. During his time at the Country Club, Tony not only taught 100's of adults and children the sport but directed member guest, youth and adult tournaments for members as well as the community. He developed a Kid's Camp that gave area children the opportunity to participate in tennis, golf, swimming and other physical activities. The Country Club opened a Physical Fitness area for its member based on Tony's data from his Thesis on the relevance of fitness centers in private facilities.
He began his Collegiate coaching career at his Alma Mater of CSCC in 1991. Tony coached the Men's program to Championship Status until 1997. Over the years Cleveland State would serve as a host for many local and regional tournaments under Tony's direction. He brought the sport of Wheelchair Tennis to Cleveland through Cleveland State. He saw the opportunity to help those physically challenged play the sport he loved at VanDerMer Tennis Facilities in Hilton Head, SC. Tony took the concept and adapted it with the help of a CSCC student Mike Nunley. Mike was in his mid-30's and a double amputee. Together they worked on perfecting the concept which was then picked up not only on the regional/national level but international as well. They marketed the concept as the only thing you needed to participate was a racquet, "you were already riding on rubber".
Tony along with Charlie Smith partnered with the Bradley/Cleveland Chamber of Commerce to host the annual Cleveland Hard Court Tournament. This tournament was a USTA sanctioned tournament that drew regional participants.
During the late 1980's, Tony assisted Recreation minister – Greg Cater with the inception of a "Camp of Champions" which built to 300 student participants that was held at all local tennis courts but it's home base was Tony's Spiritual and Faith home base - First Baptist Cleveland.
Tony's desire for teaching others "The Sport for a Life Time" was also brought to the Tennis Courts at Tinsley Park. The Parks & Recreation Department sponsored summer tennis clinics under Tony's supervision for more than 12 years. Tony used many of his local players as assistants to develop other young players. Many of his students went on to play in college and are still playing the sport today. Those who remained in the Cleveland area gave Tony the privilege of teaching their children as well. Charlie Smith along with members of the Cleveland Tennis Association recently requested the new Tennis facility at Tinsley be named in Tony’s honor. The City Commissioners along with Mayor Rowland unanimously agreed.
Tony began a tennis relationship with Lee University in the late 1980's working with Athletic Director and Assistant Tennis Coach Mark Wickham forming an annual tournament "The Lee Cup". In 1998/1999, Lee University brought Tony on board as Men's and Women's Head Tennis Coach, where he remained in that position until April of 2014.
During his time with the University, Tony had the opportunity to meet, recruit and mentor students from around the world. The 2001-2002 season would see the Women's Team win the Trans South Regional Conference Championship. While during his 16/17 years with the University and many ranked teams, this team was a highlight of his career not only for their accomplishments on and off the court, but the team consisted of 5 Cleveland High School and Bradley High School graduates.
While coaching for Lee University, Tony took five straight women's programs to NAIA National Tournaments. In 2002, he took the first Lee Men's team to the NAIA Region XI tournament. The men also reached the quarterfinals for the first time in an NAIA National Tournament in 2004. In 2005, he had the privilege of coaching Lee's first ever men's team All American (Manuel Cornejo). In 2007, the men's team had their highest NAIA National ranking ever at No. 9. All totaled, Tony took 9 consecutive teams to NAIA National tournaments. He reached his 300th win in 2014 against Emmanuel College. In 2002, He was voted TranSouth Conference Coach of the Year.
Tony not only taught the love of the game but stressed the need for education. He was well known throughout the conference for coaching many scholar teams. He coached more than 40 Academic All American's. He also took his teams to many venues to give back to the Cleveland community by way of Special Olympics and The Trousdale School.
Even though Tony traveled the country seeking talent for University play, was guest speaker at events to educate other professionals, taught at professional facilities in Florida and South Carolina, his heart was always to enhance the sport in Cleveland. He worked with the local school systems teaching tennis along with physical education teachers to students from Kindergarten to High School a sport that no matter your level of ability could be enjoyed.
Tony was a Certified USPTA Professional level 1, a Certified USPTR Professional level 1, former state coordinator for the USPTA, member of the USPTA Tennis Industry Action Committee, Certified Etchi- berry Tennis Fitness Trainer, certified Tennis judge/referee, member of the National Academy of Sports Medicine, a member of the National Strength and Conditioning Association, certified member of the Tennis Racquet Stringers Association and Inductee to the CSCC Hall of Fame.
His professional career can be summed up in a quote from him during an interview for a publication personality profile, "I've tried to develop a lot of friendships with students... I try to get to know them, so I can coach the whole person rather than just the tennis player".
Tony is survived by his wife of 39 years Jena Griffith Cavett, daughter and son-in-law, Kristen and Rickey Lawson, son and daughter-in-law, Corey and Kimberly Cavett and their children Kinsley and Owen Cavett, Mother - Bettye Wilson Cavett and brother and sister-in-law Terry and Belinda Cavett. His father-in-law Bob Griffith and two nieces Angel Cavett and Mandy Jackson. He was preceded in death by his father, John D Cavett and Mother-in-law, Sandra Ragsdale Griffith.
Visitation will be held at First Baptist Cleveland - 1275 Stuart Road on Monday, Aug. 6, from 4-7 p.m. immediately followed by a Celebration of Life Service with the Reverend Jim Gibson officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First Baptist Building Fund - P. O. Box 2368 - Cleveland, Tn. 37320.
You are encouraged to share a memory of Tony and/or your personal condolences with his family by visiting his memorial web page and guestbook at www.companonfunerals.com. Companion Funeral Home and the Cody family are honored to assist the family with his arrangements.