THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, July 19, 1995 TAG: 9507180085
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: SMITHFIELD LENGTH: Medium: 68 lines
J. THOMAS JUDKINS loves to play, talk and sell sports.
As a kid, he lived at the fields. Football, baseball and soccer were his domains.
Today, he still visits.
Judkins is one of several coaches who volunteers his time to coach girls' softball for the Western Tidewater Girls Softball Association.
``I have three girls who play,'' he said. ``Two are on one team. So I try to help my kids and others learn to play as a team.
``It's almost like learning in a classroom. You can't learn unless you listen to the person who's teaching.''
Sportsmanship is just one lesson taught on the field.
``I try to teach them that if you want something bad enough, you have to work for it,'' he said. ``Sportsmanship is a hard thing to explain. I teach by show and tell. Win or lose, that can be tough.''
And when Judkins isn't coaching, he's selling at Winning Edge Sport and Trophy in Smithfield. The shop sells sports equipment, clothes and awards.
Located at 1003 South Church St., it is owned by Ray Carter and Marilyn Dull, both of Suffolk. The two also have shops in Suffolk and Franklin.
Judkins worked in the Suffolk shop before coming to work in Smithfield.
``My natural interest in sports led me to being a customer in Suffolk. And then it led me into this job,'' he said.
Name: J. Thomas Judkins III.
What brought you here? My job at Winning Edge Sport and Trophy in Smithfield.
Birthdate/hometown: Nov. 15, 1968/Suffolk.
Fondest childhood memory: Playing football and baseball.
Marital status/children: Married to Rhonda/three girls Shannon, Candace and Leslie.
First job/worst job: One-hour Photo Processing Lab/Ferguson Manufacturing.
Occupation: Retail sporting goods.
If you had a choice, what other job would you choose? High school football coach.
What's your favorite hangout? The ball field.
Favorite night out on the town? Taking my family out to dinner and then doing something with the family like Putt-Putt Golf.
Favorite food/drink: Pizza and Dr Pepper.
Ideal vacation: I would love to be able to take one.
I can't resist: Ice cream.
Few people know: I enjoy photography.
Most embarrassing moment? In the seventh-grade, I busted a seam in my pants.
If you won the lottery, what would you do/buy? I'd celebrate and buy a new car for my wife.
What is the best advice you've been given and by whom? Someone once told me that the definition of success was not how much money you made, but that you enjoyed what you did.
What's the best thing about yourself? I can get along with almost anyone.
If you could trade places with anyone in the world, who would it be and why? Jimmy Johnson. He's the most wanted man in the NFL.
Of what achievements are you most proud ? My family.
Something you wish to say but haven't: I'd better not. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB