Honoring a Legacy of Service

Mr. Nick Irby Celebrates 27 Years of Community Impact Through Tennis and Education:

This school year marks both a milestone and a heartfelt farewell as we celebrate the retirement of Mr. Nick Irby, a cornerstone of Youth Tennis San Diego’s outreach efforts and a dedicated educator at Nye Elementary, located in the San Diego, Encanto neighborhood. For nearly three decades, Coach Irby has inspired hundreds of students through his passion for tennis, his dedication to education, and his unwavering commitment to community service.

Coach Irby with AST students at Nye Elementary

Coach Irby began his journey with the After School Tennis (AST) program back in 1998, assisting long-time AST instructor, Frank Lucero. What started as a collaborative effort quickly turned into a calling. “Watching kids learn new skills and practicing them after being instructed is a real kick for me,” Coach Irby shares. “It’s kids wanting to learn the game of tennis — many times that’s half the battle.”

Coach Irby has successfully inspired countless kids to fall in love with the sport—resulting in growing the game and building a lasting tennis community.

Through AST, Youth Tennis San Diego provides low-cost or no-cost tennis programs to children throughout San Diego, making the sport accessible to all. Coach Irby became a driving force behind that mission at Nye Elementary, where tennis and character-building went hand in hand. Over the years, many of his students advanced to compete at the high school level, with countless others gaining lifelong skills in discipline, focus, and teamwork.

But for Coach Irby, the impact went beyond the court. “The AST impact was noticeable because I would check in with their teachers from time to time, and survey how their classwork was going,” he says. “When they see me in their classrooms they know academics and behavior are the topic of conversation.”

It’s this blend of mentorship, consistency, and care that made Coach Irby a pillar in his school and neighborhood. Living near the school, he’s been more than a teacher and coach—he’s been a role model. Whether seen on campus or at the local tennis courts, Coach Irby embodies the values he teaches. “Being a good sport is a foundational aspect of the Nye tennis program,” he says. “I try to show this through my actions on campus and in the community.”

The true legacy of Coach Irby lies not just in the number of students he has coached, but in the compassion, resilience, and sportsmanship he instilled in them. “Seeing kids in different learning environments is a good thing,” he reflects. “AST has been a perfect complement to my career in the classroom.”

As Coach Irby enters retirement, he leaves behind a legacy that will ripple through the lives of his students, their families, and the broader San Diego community for years to come!

From all of us at Youth Tennis San Diego, we thank you, Coach Irby, for 27 incredible years of service, leadership, and heart. Your presence on and off the court will be missed—but your positive impact is forever.

Enjoy your well deserved retirement Coach!