Bobby Shields
Head Men's Tennis Coach
434-791-4992
bshields@averett.edu

On June 22, 2004, Bobby Shields was introduced by Director of Athletics Charles S. Harris as Averett University’s head men’s tennis coach. Shields succeeds legendary coach and administrator Vesa Hiltunen, who recently retired from the position.

Shields, a native of Pittsylvania County, brings over 20 years of coaching experience to Averett. He was also a successful student-athlete for the Cougars, as he was a four-year member of the men’s tennis team under the direction of Hiltunen. In fact, in 1983 Shields was the conference singles champion.

No stranger to the Averett tennis program, Shields served as head women’s tennis coach for the Cougars from 1996 to 1999. Under his direction, Averett enjoyed its most successful period in the program’s history. Shields guided the Cougars to conference championships in 1997 and 1999. He was also named the conference’s coach of the year in 1999. Other highlights of his women’s tennis coaching career at Averett include coaching Elina Tolppa, the number one player in Division III from 1996 to 1998. Tolppa won a pair of ITA Rolex Singles National Championships under Shields.

Prior to being named the head women’s coach, Shields was an assistant for the Averett women’s tennis team from 1993 to 1996. During that time, the Cougars won two conference titles.

With a tennis background that goes beyond coaching, Shields is also an accomplished player. He was ranked number one in the state of Virginia Men’s 35’s from 2002 to 2003. Additionally, Shields has served as the president of the Danville Tennis Association since 1996, and also works as a tennis pro at Danville Golf Club in the summers. He is a certified teaching professional by the Professional Tennis Registry.

In addition to his responsibilities at Averett, Shields is a physical education teacher at Southside Elementary School in Blairs, VA. He has taught at Southside since 1991 and was awarded Teacher of the Year honors for his service to the school in 1996. Shields has also taught at Dan River High School, where he held numerous coaching positions and served as the school’s athletics director from 1986 to 1987.

A 1983 graduate of Averett, Shields went on to earn his master’s degree from the United States Sports Academy in Daphne, AL in 1986. He resides in Keeling, VA with his wife Leigh Ann and their daughter Hannah.