Jim Shakespeare on the Callaway Courts in 1958.

As loved ones gather in Richmond, Va., this week to memorialize the late Jim Shakespeare ‘59, Presbyterian College mourns the loss of a tennis titan whose career as a player and coach was part of the Blue Hose program’s Golden Age.

Jim Shakespeare ’59

Shakespeare passed away at age 88 on May 11 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. His life will be celebrated at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 27, at West End Assembly of God Church in Richmond, followed by an open house reception from 4-8 p.m. at the Regency Woods Clubhouse.

At age nine, Shakespeare found his passion on the sun-baked tennis courts of Hollywood, Fla., where his family had relocated. A high school star at South Broward High School, Shakespeare earned a scholarship to play college tennis for legendary coach Jim Leighton at PC.

Shakespeare was a member of the teams that won the S.C. State Championship each season from 1956-59 and was an integral part of the Blue Hose squad that took down national powerhouse Miami in 1957. He served as team captain his senior year and, in 1959, won the state doubles championship alongside teammate Harry Hoffman.

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in English, Shakespeare went on to earn his master’s degree as a Woodrow Wilson Scholar at Duke University. After four years of teaching at George School in Newtown, Penn., Shakespeare and his wife, Mary, moved their family to Clinton, so he could teach English and coach men’s tennis at his alma mater.

During his eight-year tenure at the helm of the Blue Hose Men’s Tennis Team, Shakespeare’s squads won more than 80 percent of their matches and scored big wins against Division I programs like the University of Miami and Penn State University.  His coaching produced six NAIA All-Americans and five top three finishes nationally, and in 1973, Shakespeare was named NAIA Coach of the Year.

In 1978, the Shakespeares moved to Richmond, where Jim Shakespeare coached and taught until the age of 80.

Shakespeare’s son, J.C. Shakespeare, recalls his father’s love for the game and how it shaped his life.

“Dad loved playing tennis, thinking about tennis, and talking about tennis,” J.C. Shakespeare said. “Some of my fondest memories were at Buck Hill Falls, where he was director of tennis for nearly a decade. He would give instructional talks and host exhibition matches with excellent players from all around the country. He amazed me with his knowledge of and excitement for the game; it was contagious.”

Teaching young people on and off the court and in and out of the classroom was just as important.

Coach Jim Shakespeare ’59

“His influence on his players, especially those from foreign countries, was immense and long lasting,” J.C. Shakespeare said. “He coached them in tennis, but more importantly loved and nurtured them into becoming the best versions of their emerging adult selves. He was able to offer many of his players summer employment, and made them believe they could create careers around the sport of tennis.”

In True Blue fashion, Jim and Mary Shakespeare opened their home to numerous tennis players, especially those recruited from other countries.

“His players were a constant presence in our home, and it was thrilling to grow up with a bunch of college guys as friends and mentors,” J.C. said.

Jim Shakespeare was also a dedicated father and husband remembered for leading epic family vacations, having a devout faith, and sharing a love of English literature.

“My father’s love for tennis was only surpassed by his undying love for my mother,” J.C. said. “June 22 would have been their 64th wedding anniversary, and they truly stuck together through thick and thin over the years. Dad would greet her every day with, ‘Hello, Beautiful,’ and he never let her go more than a few hours without hearing, ‘I love you.’ They shared devotions together every morning for many years, and it was soothing as a kid to hear Dad’s deep, resonant voice reading the Bible or sharing prayers with Mom.”

In April, 2022, the Presbyterian College community – including numerous former players and friends – gathered on campus to pay tribute to Jim Shakespeare with a ceremony celebrating his beautiful life and illustrious career.

In addition to his wife and son, Shakespeare is survived by his daughter, Susan Shakespeare Gill, and his five grandchildren – James Ian Gill, Kathryn Elizabeth Gill, Mary Sophia Shakespeare, Jocelyn Collette Shakespeare, and Willa Mae Shakespeare.