ABAC's men's tennis team celebrates their region championship with Jorge Novoa.

TIFTON — When Jorge Novoa was a student at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College from 1970 through 1972, he became friends with some Latin American students who happened to play tennis for ABAC. Just to connect with his friends, he began offering his assistance to Tennis Coach Norman Hill doing odd jobs around the tennis courts.

Now it’s 2018, and Novoa is still helping the ABAC tennis teams. Coach Dale White marvels at the selflessness of the 73-year-old native of Peru.

“I don’t have to tell him anything to do,” White said. “He just does it, whether it’s filling the coolers with ice and water or picking up the balls. He’s definitely one of the most selfless people I know.”

For his dedication to ABAC tennis, Novoa will join five other individuals and one team on April 6 in ABAC’s Museum of Agriculture Conference Room when they are inducted into the 2018 class of the ABAC Athletics Hall of Fame.

“I just enjoy interacting with the students and the coaches,” Novoa said on a recent cold, windy, blue-sky afternoon as the ABAC tennis teams practiced behind him. “I try to come out every day just to be here if I am needed.”

When Novoa completed his associate degree from ABAC in 1972, he transferred to Georgia Southern to finish his bachelor’s degree in sociology. He returned to Tift County and worked for 32 years with the Department of Family and Children Services, retiring in 2012.

Since he speaks both English and Spanish, Novoa was a real asset in his position with the Department of Family and Children Services. He was named the top worker in 1987.

“Since I retired, I have more time to come out to the courts,” Novoa said.

Novoa proudly points to the name of Julio Herrera, ABAC’s first All-America selection in tennis in 1969, whose name tops the board of All-America players just outside the tennis courts.

“I met him when I came to ABAC but he had already completed his eligibility,” Novoa said.

Chances are, Novoa knows just about every one of the All-America selections on that board over the past 48 years. They came, they played, they excelled. In his own quiet and unassuming way, Novoa has been a part of their success story.

ABAC Athletics Director Alan Kramer said the 2018 class also includes the 1982 state championship men’s basketball team, Luis Paredes from the 1974-76 men’s tennis teams, Jenni Collins Smith from the 1980-82 women’s basketball teams, Chuck DeVane from the 1980-82 baseball teams Andy Vaughn from the 1981-83 golf teams, and Teresa Cromer Walker from the 1993-95 softball teams.

As an extra added attraction to the Hall of Fame ceremony this year, Polly Huff, assistant director and curator at the Museum, will feature an entire exhibit based on ABAC athletics titled “The Glory Days” in the Museum Gallery. Hall of Fame members can visit the exhibit at a 5 p.m. reception prior to dinner. The exhibit will then open to all ABAC alumni and the public on April 7 as a part of the Homecoming Weekend.

For more information on the 2018 Homecoming Week, interested persons can visit the web site at www.abac.edu/homecoming.