Distinguished Retiree Winners

Dr. Bal Moore Named Jefferson State’s 2026 Distinguished Retiree

Dr. Ballard “Bal” Moore has been named Jefferson State Community College’s 2026 Distinguished Retiree in recognition of his outstanding contributions to education, tennis, and the advancement of opportunities for athletes with disabilities.

Moore served as a Health and Physical Education instructor and head men’s tennis coach at Jefferson State for about 25 years before retiring in 1992. He also served as assistant men’s basketball coach. During his tenure, Moore recruited tennis players locally, nationally, and internationally, coaching numerous state championship teams as well as teams that placed in national championships. His accomplishments earned him induction into the Alabama Community College Sports Hall of Fame.

Throughout his career, Moore distinguished himself as a coach, educator, and advocate for the sport of tennis. Beginning in 1989, he coached Randy Snow, one of the most accomplished wheelchair tennis players in history. Under Moore’s guidance, Snow won gold medals in both singles and doubles at the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona, Spain. Moore also coached U.S. men’s wheelchair tennis teams to four World Team Cup championships.

Moore’s contributions extended beyond coaching competitive athletes. Drawing on his background in kinesiology, he studied the movements and techniques of wheelchair tennis players, using video analysis to improve instruction and performance. In 1994, he and Snow co-authored Wheelchair Tennis: Myth to Reality, an instructional guide that helped advance wheelchair tennis coaching and training around the world. Moore also developed the first wheelchair tennis teaching certification for the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA). A USPTA Master Professional, he was named the organization’s Coach of the Year in 1992 and was inducted into the Alabama Tennis Hall of Fame.

Following his retirement from Jefferson State, Moore continued sharing his knowledge and enthusiasm for tennis with players of all ages and abilities. He and his wife, Marcha, who also taught Health and Physical Education and coached athletics at Jefferson State, established the Rhinelander Tennis Club in Wisconsin. For approximately 20 years, the couple provided tennis instruction, organized youth camps, and coordinated competitive leagues for adults. Moore also continued coaching wheelchair athletes internationally and remained connected with former Jefferson State students, offering mentorship and career recommendations.

In September 2026, Moore received another prestigious honor when he was inducted into the Wheelchair Tennis Hall of Champions during the US Open in New York. Established in celebration of the sport’s 50th anniversary, the Hall of Champions recognizes athletes, coaches, and other contributors who have played significant roles in the development and growth of wheelchair tennis worldwide.

Now 91, Moore and his wife, Marcha, continue to divide their time between Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and Naples, Florida. His decades of teaching, coaching, and mentorship have helped expand opportunities in wheelchair tennis while inspiring generations of athletes to pursue their potential both on and off the court.