Jimmy Evert has sadly passed.

BTURNER

Legend
The man is most known for the accomplishments of his famous pupil with whom he shared DNA, but this man devoted his lifes work to coaching hundreds in the sport. As far as I ever heard, it was done with integrity, a steadfast discipline, and intelligence for decades. I don't know if he is in the HOF, but that resume deserves consideration. A lot of kids learned a hell of a lot, beyond how to hit a forehand, because of Jimmy Evert and he played either a direct or indirect role in the growth of their character.
 

BTURNER

Legend
Sometimes it is wise to reflect on the impact a good sports coach can have on the lives of hundreds of young people. They bestow confidence, a sense of hard work/ discipline and character while kids learn to have a good time and get some well needed exercise . It happens thousands of times every day and it blows away any effect of a trophy or winning season or a 'pro' career. That quiet decent man was a teacher of lifeskills to so very many youth, that never got anywhere near a tennis racket five years later nor ever played on any tour and that is the real mark he had on the world.
 

AngieB

Banned
#JimmyEvery was a great coach. Contributed a lot to local tennis in Southern Florida for sure.

#GI
 

suwanee4712

Professional
Wow, what a great man who, along with Colette, raised a wonderful family. I love that one of the big junior tournaments in Florida is called the Jimmy Evert Cup. That is a well deserved honor for such a fine gentleman.
 

suwanee4712

Professional
I see a hall of fame nomination in the future.

I had never considered this before. But I think it would be very appropriate. He devoted his life to teaching multiple generations of kids the sport of tennis. He was influential in many players' careers and lives besides Chris. I was in Ft. Lauderdale back in January for New Years. I wish that I had taken the time to go find Holiday Park. Maybe next time.

I think someone like BJK would support this. I think there was mutual respect between King and the Everts, even though I am sure that Jimmy saw BJK as a rival influence on Chris. But she always speaks so highly of Jimmy Evert, the tennis coach and the man.
 

AngieB

Banned
I see a hall of fame nomination in the future.
#No.

I struggle to support any posthumous #ITHOF award for #JimmyEvery for many reasons.

First, if the #ITHOF had any intentions of inducting him, they should have done it while he was living. It would be in poor taste to do it now, when #MrEvery couldn't enjoy it.

Second, I don't think he meets the criteria. He did a great job coaching Chris when she was younger and tons of younger kids in South Florida, but what did he do beyond that which is any more special than any other long-time teaching pro across the country?

Third, just because it's #Chris' father doesn't mean he should get in. If he gets in, most would see his induction as that of nepotism and the credibility of the #ITHOF would be harmed.

There are many other ways to show tribute to #JimmyEvery, but an #ITHOF induction would only harm the sport.

#GI
 

JCat

Rookie
#No.

I struggle to support any posthumous #ITHOF award for #JimmyEvery for many reasons.

First, if the #ITHOF had any intentions of inducting him, they should have done it while he was living. It would be in poor taste to do it now, when #MrEvery couldn't enjoy it.

Second, I don't think he meets the criteria. He did a great job coaching Chris when she was younger and tons of younger kids in South Florida, but what did he do beyond that which is any more special than any other long-time teaching pro across the country?

Third, just because it's #Chris' father doesn't mean he should get in. If he gets in, most would see his induction as that of nepotism and the credibility of the #ITHOF would be harmed.

There are many other ways to show tribute to #JimmyEvery, but an #ITHOF induction would only harm the sport.

#GI
I agree with every one of your points. If he wasn't Chris Evert's father, then you wouldn't even be suggesting this. There are some great tennis players who aren't even in the ITHOF, Vitas Gerulaitis among them, so nominating him basically because he was a teaching pro with a famously great daughter doesn't seem right to me.
 

Dan Lobb

G.O.A.T.
I agree with every one of your points. If he wasn't Chris Evert's father, then you wouldn't even be suggesting this. There are some great tennis players who aren't even in the ITHOF, Vitas Gerulaitis among them, so nominating him basically because he was a teaching pro with a famously great daughter doesn't seem right to me.
He won the Canadian singles title in the late forties.
 
I agree with every one of your points. If he wasn't Chris Evert's father, then you wouldn't even be suggesting this. There are some great tennis players who aren't even in the ITHOF, Vitas Gerulaitis among them, so nominating him basically because he was a teaching pro with a famously great daughter doesn't seem right to me.

Vitas I would hesitate to call great. His 1 slam was the Australian Open at a time it wasn't a real slam, so he might as well be slamless. He wasn't I love Vilas and RIP to him too, but it could easily be argued Jimmy contributed more to tennis through his work coaching work than Vitas did as a player or in general.
 
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BTURNER

Legend
I agree with every one of your points. If he wasn't Chris Evert's father, then you wouldn't even be suggesting this. There are some great tennis players who aren't even in the ITHOF, Vitas Gerulaitis among them, so nominating him basically because he was a teaching pro with a famously great daughter doesn't seem right to me.
I see your point. My argument is that the HOF, has not historically honored excellence in the coaching profession of tennis enough because players get the public in the door. I think we have between 2 and five in the annals of HOF. I am guilty of being late to this party, myself but we've been wrong. I think Evert is a good way to start to change that imbalance, but others without that famous daughter ought to follow

Addendum - relevant paragraph from the Hall of Fame inductees
"In the hallowed halls in Newport, Bollettieri, who liked to call himself the “Michelangelo of Tennis,” joins only two others enshrined for their coaching brilliance, longtime Australian Davis Cup captain Harry Hopman and Dr. Robert Johnson, a staunch advocate of African-American junior tennis who mentored Althea Gibson and Arthur Ashe.
 
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Rest in peace Mr. Jimmy Evert. He was such a great father and tennis coach for Chris Evert, my favorite female tennis player.

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CEvertFan

Hall of Fame
One of the best things that Mr. Evert taught Chris was to never show negative emotions on court - never let your opponent know you are frustrated, angry, upset etc. It served her well.
 

BTURNER

Legend
One of the best things that Mr. Evert taught Chris was to never show negative emotions on court - never let your opponent know you are frustrated, angry, upset etc. It served her well.
I think it did until burn-out began to set in. I think at a certain point, as Evert got more bored, more irritated in the later 80's it was actually useful to let it out and let more excitement show as well. Anything to keep the experience different than the other 2000 matches before...
 

suwanee4712

Professional
In light of Mr. Evert's recent passing, I was re-watching an old match from the 1990 Wimbledon, the QF between Sabatini and Zvereva. There, sitting courtside on the old Court 1, was Mr. and Mrs. Evert. Obviously, they were fans of tennis beyond their own daughter's career. Since Mr. Evert had to miss so much live action, I thought it was really nice that he could make the trip to Wimbledon without the anxiety of his daughter's matches and just enjoy the tennis.

The Everts knew how to pick which matches to watch! The two QF matches on Court 1 were, by far, the womens matches of the tournament, Sabatini/Zvereva and Garrison/Seles. While Garrison's upset win was more impactful, Gaby's win over Natasha is easily one of the best showcases for shotmaking between two women on the same court. Particularly the 2nd and 3rd sets, it was winner after winner by both players especially while charging the net.
 
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