Don Skakle, the former University of North Carolina men’s tennis coach, will be posthumously inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame on Friday, May 10. Skakle led the UNC men’s tennis teams for 22 years, during which they won 16 ACC championships outright and tied for two others. His teams had an impressive overall record of 418-55 and a league play record of 132-14.
Skakle was also a standout player at UNC, boasting an individual record of 60-1. Despite his untimely death in his sleep on the eve of the 1980 ACC Tennis Championships in Winston-Salem, Skakle’s impact on the sport was significant, leading to his induction into the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame and the Intercollegiate Tennis Association Hall of Fame.
The Class of 2024 includes eleven other inductees, including notable names like Randolph Childress, Jim Nantz, and Steve Smith Sr. This year’s class represents the diverse and dynamic sports heritage of North Carolina, showcasing individuals who have made a lasting impact on their communities and beyond. The induction ceremony will take place during the 60th annual Induction Celebration on May 10 at the Charlotte Convention Center.