Bill Sullivan, JRHS BoosterClub president, unveils the John T. Shotwell Field sign.

John T. Shotwell has given 47 years of sports coaching to the students of James River. The community came to thank the man who has coached three state championship softball teams by naming the softball field in honor of him.

On a day that happened to be mail order perfect with a Carolina blue sky (Shotwell is a Tarheel) and nary a cloud and just the right temperature, school board members, his best friend Jimmy Barley, his mother and brother along with his children and grandchildren lined the field and sidelines to support the man who has an impressive coaching record and is a good citizen and community activist to boot!

Shotwell said much about his career and thanked many especially the players and their parents from over the years, his family, the school division and the many important people in his life. He summed it up with “Some say it is not whether you win or lose, it’s how you play the game.” He debunked the myth by stating, “If you know how to play the game you will win.” For 47 years he has proven that good coaching can provide winners and those with a lifelong love for the many sports he has coached including softball, golf, basketball and football. The Knights defeated Parry McCluer 7-4 to complete the day of good will for Shotwell. We have a gallery of pictures from the day’s events.