One of the most successful head coaches in both North Shore tennis and St. John’s Prep athletic history, Mark Metropolis has stepped down after 35 seasons of leading the Eagles.
Coming off of back-to-back seasons that saw his squad finish the season 22-0 and win the Division 1 state championship each year, Metropolis is retiring while still on top of the Massachusetts high school boys tennis world.
“It was time,” said the 67-year-old Metropolis. “At some point you have to say ‘this is it.’ You can’t go on forever.
“Thirty-five years is a long time, and it was my goal to reach this point and see where I was at. I’m content with my decision.”
His teams finished with a staggering 538-118 overall record, good for an .820 winning percentage. They own the Catholic Conference title in 31 of his 35 years on the job, never had a losing season, and never lost more than seven matches in a single season.
The Eagles also captured six Division 1 North sectional crowns under Metropolis’ watch and were crowned state champions in 1994, 1995, 2000 and 2001 in addition to the last two seasons. A number of his players also captured individual state tournament titles, and three of them are inducted into the St. John’s Prep Athletic Hall of Fame.
“Coach Metropolis leaves behind a record of excellence that is unparalleled in Massachusetts high school tennis,” said athletic director Jameson Pelkey, “and leaves a legacy that will inspire generations to come.”
Metropolis has been chosen as The Salem News’ Boys Tennis Coach of the Year for each of the last three seasons and seven times in the last 19 years.
Prior to coaching at St. John’s Prep, he was the tennis coach for two years at Pingree (1988-89). He also served as the boys varsity basketball coach at Peabody High in the 1990s.
“I was very lucky to be blessed with talent,” said Metropolis of his time with the Eagles. “And we always played the best teams; I never weakened the schedule. I worked the players’ butts off too, because I knew how good they could be and I knew that they’d respond.”
Having been occupied each spring for almost 40 years, Metropolis said he’s looking forward to going to his sister’s golf condo down in Delray Beach, Fla. when the calendar turns.
“The older you get, the tougher it is. My body doesn’t respond to spring weather the same way as it used to. My fingers are still hurting me from this past spring,” Metropolis said with a chuckle.
Pelkey said that the retired electronics teacher from Peabody had an impact that went far beyond his on-court teachings.
“Coach Metropolis embodied the mission of St. John’s Prep in every sense,” said Pelkey. “His impact will be felt for decades, not only in the trophies won and matches played, but in the lives of the countless young men he guided with integrity, humility, and care. His legacy is one of excellence and of living out the values that define our community.”
Metropolis, who was inducted into the St. John’s Prep Athletics Hall of Fame in 2010, said it was the players who made his experience coaching them so enjoyable.
“It was a joy to be out there with them and knowing they always wanted to get better,” he said. “I’ve been blessed to be able to coach at St. John’s Prep.”
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