Shirley began her tennis journey in 1954 in Charleston, WV as a paddle tennis player as a Champion at the Reynolds Street Playground in the girls’ midget singles. Then in 1955, she was named an individual champion for junior paddle tennis. In 1956, she played for the Charleston Tennis club that toured Toronto and became the girls’ division champion for this tour. Later that year, she was also a winner at the tournament for the 15 and under held at the Charleston Tennis Club which notably, was an all-white tennis club. From 1956-1963, she played on West Virginia team touring the Midwest and often won division matches playing as an individual, mixed doubles and doubles and was often the only African American female to win title matches. In 1960, Shirley won the girls’ individual 18 and under title at the Kanawa Valley Jaycees. She was the first African American to win a state title in tennis for West Virginia in 1960. In 1962 she became the first African American to win a state tile winning the West Virginia State Closed tennis tournament. In 1963, Shirley won her second straight title and became champion of the West Virginia State Closed tournament. In 1964 she served as a tennis instructor for Tennis Inc. a program hosted by Hugh Thompson, a tennis promoter in Charleston, WV.
She also had an outstanding record as a tennis player. In 1961, Shirley was the only female who played on an all-male tennis team at West Virginia State College as they did not have a women’s tennis team. She later transferred to Central State University where she secured a spot on the Women’s tennis team where he played until 1964. Notably in 1995, Shirley was inducted into their hall of fame at Central State University for her participation in the women’s tennis team through 1964.Shirley, along with her family, received the USTA Tennis Family of the Year in 1993 for the Mid-Atlantic Region as the first African American family receiving this award.
She was a Finalist, in the ATA Nationals, Wilberforce, Ohio, mixed Doubles, 1964. She was a Winner, at the US Public Parks National Clay Court tournament, Women`s Doubles, St. Louis, Mo., 1965. She was a Finalist in the
Women`s US Public Parks, National Clay Courts Tournament, Washington, DC., 1966. She was also Finalist in the Mixed Doubles ATA Nationals in Boston Mass., 1978 with her spouse Dr. Thomas Calhoun.
Shirley began her tennis journey in 1954 in Charleston, WV as a paddle tennis player as a Champion at the Reynolds Street Playground in the girls’ midget singles. Then in 1955, she was named an individual champion for junior paddle tennis. In 1956, she played for Charleston touring Toronto and became the girls’ division champion for this tour. Later that year, she was also a winner at the tournament for the 15 and under held at the Charleston Tennis Club. She was a winner of the girls 15 and under, sponsored by Tennis Inc. in 1957. She was also
highlighted in the Charleston Sunday Gazette on 5/12/1957 as one of the players for Charleston Catholic credited for transforming the team from 7th place to runner up. In 1958 Shirley won the 15 and under division held at the Charleston Tennis Club, defeating the defending champion during the West Virginia Junior Tennis Championships. She also was a winner in the 15 and under in doubles division and a runner up in the mixed doubles division. This tournament was the largest tournament in history at the time, receiving 143 entrants. She continued to play during 1959 and was the winner and champion of women’s singles at the Kanawa Valley Tennis tournament and
was also a runner-up in women’s doubles. She was also a winner at the Jaycees tennis tournament. She was a runner-up as an individual in 1959 West Virgina Junior Tennis tournament and a runner-up in women’s
doubles. In 1960, Shirley was also a runner-up as an individual in the West Virgina Junior Tennis tournament as well as a runner-up in women’s doubles. In 1960, Shirley won the girls’ individual 18 and under title at the Kanawa Valley Jaycees. In 1961 she represented Charleston, WV in an exhibition for Tennis Inc. sponsored by Hugh Thompson, president of Tennis Inc. where junior tennis stars performed during a 30-minute program
preliminary program before the professionals played their matches.
In 1961 she became the only female tennis team member for the West Virginia State University and played on the men’s tennis team. She excelled in this capacity as well, beating many men playing on opposing teams. She continued to represent Charleston serving on Central State’s tennis team playing and was number 1 on the girls’ team. She continued to play in tournaments. In 1962 she became the first African American to win a state tile
winning the West Virginia State Closed tennis tournament. When she was not in tournaments during the summer, she taught tennis for Charleston Tennis Inc. as an instructor which was created by Hugh Thompson. She also
played on the Charleston team of women touring the Midwest, winning with the team. In 1963, Shirley won her second straight title and became champion of the West Virginia State Closed tournament. She also won the mixed
doubles title in the same tournament. She also made it to the finals at the Kanwa Valley Tennis Tournament women’s singles round as well as played mixed doubles and doubles that same year. After graduating from Central State, she attended ULCA Graduate School and graduated with a Master of Physical Education and
married and moved to Washington, DC where she met and married Dr. Thomas Calhoun, an avid tennis player. They later had four children who also became accomplished tennis players. Shirley also served as an assistant coach Woodrow Wilson High School tennis teams in 1985 where her daughter was named All American in 1985. She also was a tennis instructor teaching tennis at Carter Baron public courts in Washington, DC.
Shirley served as a volunteer for the William Fitzgerald Foundation during the Legg Mason tennis tournament in Washington, DC and often housed players during the tournament at her home with the family. She also hosted
junior players at the ATA Nationals held in Washington, DC in 1984.
Shirley passed away on December 4, 2024.
.
No comments
Post a Comment