JACK BEACHBOARD represents the next generation of leaders, defined by their natural-born talents, compassion, and empathy. Beachboard found his love for swimming at an early age, a pursuit that would ultimately equip him with such invaluable life skills.
Born and raised in Manchester, Beachboard’s roots run deep in Tennessee soil. He walked the same halls as his father, a proud University of Tennessee (UT) Knoxville alumnus. After graduating from Coffee County Central High School, Beachboard followed in his father’s footsteps and pursued a degree at UT Knoxville, and he is now paving his own path toward greatness.
Following his recent graduation in May, Beachboard plans to take his passion for leadership to the next level by pursuing a law degree this fall. But Beachboard credits his time in competitive swimming as the foundation for his leadership skills.
He discovered his innate talent for swimming as he dipped his toes into his grandparents’ pool and frolicked in the refreshing waters during their family lake excursions. The memories of those precious moments still linger in his heart today.
With his grandparents’ pool as his playground and one of Manchester’s many picturesque lakes as his summer oasis, Beachboard was introduced to the world of swimming.
Initially, it started as a way to keep himself occupied during the baseball and basketball off-seasons. But, as he submerged himself in the waters, he realized he was gifted in swimming, much more than he expected.
Beachboard’s love for swimming surpassed mere enjoyment, inspiring him to take his skills to the next level. He joined the ranks of the Manchester Makos Swim Team and embarked on a little over a decade-long journey of competition, dedication, and growth. He also gained invaluable leadership skills that he would carry into his future endeavors.
He said, “I saw the team come full circle. We started out small, and we were not competitive. And we grew it and worked very hard. So that’s one of the things that I remember the most, is just being able to build the team up and help get us to where we are today.”
Beachboard’s transition to college was not the easiest, and he experienced numerous challenges along the way. Beachboard’s freshman year was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the students had to attend school online. During his sophomore year, there was little to no interaction between students.
“They canceled sporting events and student organization meetings across campus, so there was really no interaction between students for over a year. It was certainly a challenging time, but I think everyone came out better on the other side,” he said.
Beachboard’s inspiring journey is not over. He experienced many challenges to get where he is today.
Beachboard has served as the undergraduate swim manager at UT Knoxville for four years. He has drawn upon his swimming accomplishments and natural leadership skills to help lead the Lady Vols to two SEC championships. Leading the UT swim teams has brought Beachboard endless experiences, including witnessing world-class athletes compete daily.
“The UT swim team has some of the best athletes in the world. We have one guy this year that was an SEC champion, NCAA champion, and world champion all in the same year. Being able to watch athletes like him compete is really phenomenal.”
Beachboard further noted that winning championships and watching some of the most incredible talents in action are two things he has cherished the most.
As a University of Tennessee alum, graduating from his dream school and where his father graduated is one of Beachboard’s most cherished accomplishments.
“I’ve always grown up a huge UT fan. So for me, being able to graduate from my dream school, and being able to graduate from the same place that my dad graduated from, is definitely one of the things that I’m most proud of,” he said.
As he prepares to embark on a new journey through law school, Beachboard takes a moment to reflect on the incredible opportunities that his upbringing in Manchester bestowed upon him.
He said, “Living in Manchester has provided so many good opportunities and maybe a perspective that not many people see. A lot of my friends in college are from bigger cities like Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis, etc. And I think there are some good perspectives from a smaller town,” he said.
“I really feel like I have a connection here. Manchester has really shaped me. And just having so many close friends and family in one area was really great.”
Beachboard’s experiences have made him a compassionate and empathetic leader who understands the importance of fostering strong relationships with those around him.
He said, “Leadership is one area that I think swimming has a great parallel because I got to have some great leaders help me, and then I got to give back and hopefully be a great leader for the people that were under me.”
With a well-rounded skillset and determination, Jack Beachboard is well on his way to becoming a next-generation community leader, making small waves in his community. No matter what the future holds, he knows he’ll always have the vivid memories and valuable experiences gathered from growing up in Manchester. GN
