No-retire Cassity leads FHS ‘McFee’ teams
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Farragut High School girls varsity tennis team members, from left, are Iris Ye, Alyssa Thomas, Alexus Govert (captain), Bekah Graham, Shelby Smith, Kate Morgan and Grace Feng. Not pictured are members Michelle Lin, Riley Cassity and Ananya Suresh. - Michelle Hollenhead
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Farragut High School’s boys varsity tennis team members, from left, are Derek Diaz, Benji Cho, Sean van Tol (captain), Nick Yan, Joshua Tesar, Jackson Neal, Will Patterson, Parker Fitzgerald and Reece Nelson. Not pictured is A.J. Duhaime. - Michelle Hollenhead
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Gordon Cassity, a very youthful 81, is the new coach for Farragut High School’s varsity and junior varsity girls and boys tennis teams. He is pictured with assistant coach Lindsey Stimets. - Michelle Hollenhead
Gordon Cassity isn’t doing much relaxing during his retirement years, but he certainly is enjoying his new life chapter.
Already working part time at Cedar Bluff Racquet Club, the 81-year old has, just this year, taken on the head coaching task with Farragut High School’s girls and boys tennis teams.
Finding a home at the newly opened tennis courts in McFee Park, Farragut’s season started Wednesday, March 23, versus Karns (after deadline). “We’ve got some really good kids,” Cassity said. “I think we will see some big things from them this year. These kids were so close last year. (Both teams) were district champions.” However, they lost in the regional championship.
“Our goal this year is to make the Spring Fling in Murfreesboro and win the last match of the season,” he added about the goal of being state champions.
Cassity interviewed for the job last fall, and was selected over two other applicants. “I was surprised, but pleased, when they offered me the job,” said the West Knox County resident, who started coaching in 1963 in his home state of Kentucky.
“I couldn’t make a living at it, but I always enjoyed it,” he added, noting he ultimately returned to college and obtained a law degree, but continued playing tennis down through the years.
“My own kids graduated from Farragut, and I already knew most of the (team) from them playing at Cedar Bluff,” he said. “I’ve watched most of them grow up there.”
That includes his granddaughter, Riley Cassity, who is a key player for Farragut girls tennis, along with its only senior and recently-named captain, Alexus Govert.
Govert, who already has signed to play collegiate tennis at Belmont Abbey in North Carolina, said she is “grateful” the tennis teams finally have a dedicated local place to practice. “I played out of Fort Sanders, and still do, but we didn’t have any place where we could practice together,” she said.
Town Alderman Ron Pinchok has been working with FHS on helping to fulfill this need, especially as McFee Park Phase III has been under way over the last two years.
Though the four McFee courts aren’t enough to host matches, the new FHS home has been a hit.
Sean van Tol, the lone senior on the FHS boys’ team and recently-named captain, also is thrilled with the new court options. “It is so convenient,” he said.
About his team, “we love playing together,” van Tol said. “It’s like ‘Band of Brothers.’”
Also new is assistant coach Lindsey Stimets, an Air Force veteran and former military and private sector fitness coach. “I absolutely love (coaching) — it’s not a job,” she said.
“I knew I was in a race I couldn’t win, and needed some help,” said Cassity. “I already knew Lindsey [from Cedar Bluff] and asked if it was something she might like to do.
said Stimets, who readily agreed to the new role. “It certainly ties in with my passion to work with youth, and I am really enjoying it.”
“She’s been great — I call her my drill instructor!” Cassity added with a grin.
He’s glad for the help as he encourages the school’s tennis teams, which he sees will only be growing in the future.
“I expect to have 50 try out next year,” he said. “I tell them, ‘You can go to any high school in Knox County, and play sports and get a good education, or you can go to Farragut, get a great education, and be an Admiral for life.”
