Falcon alums are everywhere, changing the world.   Saint Stephen’s has graduated some extremely successful athletes and scholars, and one of the most notable is tennis-great Jim Courier.

One of the greatest tennis stars of all time, Jim Courier, attended Saint Stephen’s while playing tennis at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy (now IMG). The Saint Stephen’s tennis program has produced some top-notch players.

Courier and teammate David Wheaton won the state championship for SSES in 1987. After his high school career, Courier moved on to become the number one player in the world for 58 weeks in a row, and turned pro in 1988.

In the late 80’s, Courier studied and played for the the Saint Stephen’s tennis team, and simultaneously practiced at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton during the school year.

During his pro career he won the French Open twice and the Australia Open twice, while being beaten in the semifinals at Wimbledon.

On top of that, Courier holds the record as the youngest player to reach the finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments.  He also won 26 singles and six doubles tournaments during is pro career.

Courier was inducted into the International Tennis hall of fame in 2005.

Looking back at the yearbooks in the library, Courier was just a normal tennis player in high school.  The yearbook actually said that another student would become pro, as a “senior prediction.”

As a longstanding pro tennis champion, Courier was a legend. He was featured in all the major video games of the 1990’s and early 2000’s. He is a household name for anyone over 25 years old or so.

Courier is a symbol to Saint Stephen’s and the community for what hard work and dedication can do. He is an example of the education and work ethic that Saint Stephen’s teaches.