The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame will posthumously honor Don Skakle, the former University of North Carolina men’s tennis coach, on Friday, May 10. Skakle led the UNC men’s tennis teams to 16 ACC championships during his 22-year tenure, with an impressive record of 418-55 overall and 132-14 in league play. His teams were dominant in the ACC, winning numerous singles and doubles titles in the early 1970s.
Skakle was not only a successful coach but also a talented player in his own right, with a remarkable 60-1 record during his time as a UNC student-athlete. His unexpected passing in 1980 shocked the tennis community, but his legacy lives on through his induction into the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Hall of Fame.
The Class of 2024 for the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame includes a diverse group of individuals, ranging from athletes to coaches to broadcasters. The 11 members, such as Randolph Childress, Sheila Ford Duncan, and Jim Nantz, will be honored during the 60th annual Induction Celebration on May 10 at the Charlotte Convention Center. Dr. Jerry McGee, president of the hall’s Board of Directors, highlighted the significance of this year’s class, noting their impact on the Charlotte community, the state of North Carolina, and beyond. This induction ceremony will bring the total number of Hall of Fame members to 411
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