A column by Brian Hoffman – Sports Editor
Never is a long time, but I’m confident in saying there will never be another person like John Shotwell among the James River community. The longtime coach, teacher and supporter died last week at age 87.
Steve Austin knew Shotwell since the ’60s, when he played football and Shotwell was an assistant varsity coach. Austin was just 15 at the time and he knew Shotwell for over 50 years. Steve’s daughters played softball for John on the field now named in Shotwell’s honor and Steve was the public address announcer for John’s basketball games.
“He was a special human being,” said Austin. “I believe that John was a once in a lifetime type of individual. He was not only a hall of fame coach, in multiple sports, he was fantastic in our community. He loved and cared about people and you saw it every day. Most everyone knew him and he knew them. He was a wonderful ambassador for Buchanan and Botetourt County. He will truly be missed but he will always be remembered.”
A native of Roxboro, North Carolina and lifelong Tarheels fan, Shotwell received a full baseball scholarship to what was then Edwards Military Institute, where he was named most valuable player his sophomore year. He later transferred to what was then Atlantic Christian College and earned a bachelor’s degree.
He came to Springwood to coach and teach in 1961 and coached multiple sports for 50 years at James River High School. His overall record in boys’ and girls’ basketball, softball, golf, baseball and even cross country included 1,081 wins with 33 district titles, 11 regional titles, three state runner-up finishes and four state softball championships.
Shotwell served as head golf coach for 37 years, head boys’ basketball coach for 31 years, head softball coach for 21 years, head baseball coach for three years, head girls’ basketball coach for one year, assistant football coach for 25 years, assistant track coach for 15 years, and assistant cross country coach for four years. He led the Knights softball team to 79 consecutive Pioneer District wins in the mid-2000s and ended his coaching career by leading the softball team, which included his granddaughter Haley, to the Group A, Division 2 state championship in 2011.
Shotwell was a vigorous competitor at whatever he did, whether he was a player or coach. As a young man he played for the storied Roanoke Scrappers softball team. Charlie Hammersley, who played fast-pitch softball during its “heyday” in the valley, remembers Shotwell the player.
“He was a really good shortstop,” said Hammersley. “He wasn’t a home run hitter but he was a really good hitter. He was tough to get out and he was a great competitor.”
Shotwell was inducted into the USA Softball Piedmont Region Hall of Fame in 2021. He was a member of the Class of 2020 but his induction was delayed a year by the coronavirus pandemic.
Shotwell went into the Hall of Fame as a player, although his coaching credentials are just as impressive. John played for the Scrappers from 1962 to ’72 and was a teammate of legendary Scrappers pitcher Seabiscuit Simmons. The team played many out-of-town tournaments, usually playing a schedule of over 80 games from spring to fall.
Jim Barley, another River legend who was friends with Shotwell for 50 years, is now a resident at Friendship Manor in South Roanoke. He was quoted in an article about Shotwell in The Roanoke Times by Bob Teitlebaum in 1991.
“I guess I was probably the first person John Shotwell met when he came here,” said Barley. “I can see him on the front porch at Mrs. [Dorothy] Teaford’s. She was a widow who took in new teachers just to room. She called and said, ‘I have someone I want you to meet.'”
Barley and Shotwell were good friends ever since that day, and at the time neither expected it would be 50 years.
File photos
“When I came here, I never thought I’d be here this long,” said Shotwell in Teitlebaum’s story. “I figured I’d get some game experience and go back to North Carolina.”
But he never did, and the James River community is thankful for that. He was a walking promotion for Buchanan and the folks he touched. Up until last year he was still organizing a golf trip for friends and former colleagues.
“John was such a big part of our lives,” said Sheila Proffit, a retired teacher and coach and former athletic director at James River High School. “He was one of the first people I met when I started teaching at James River. I was 21 and green as grass. He took me under his guidance and helped me with teaching and coaching. In other words, I grew up with John Shotwell.
“John had a unique ability to be able to connect with anyone he came in contact with. John was much more than a colleague, he was a dear friend. John was a great person who touched many lives, including mine. I will always be grateful for the time and wisdom he shared with me.”
Shotwell is survived by sons Andy and Ryan and daughter Eve. He coached all three in basketball and Andy was an assistant coach in softball. He had four grandchildren, including Haley who played on John’s last state softball championship team in 2011.
John is a member of the James River Athletic Hall of Fame and in 2014 he was inducted into the Virginia High School Hall of Fame.
As sports editor of The Fincastle Herald, I was fortunate enough to cover his golf and softball teams, including all four state championship softball teams. He became a good friend and even after he retired I enjoyed talking with him and seeing him at games. He was a big St. Louis Cardinals fan and we’d discuss their prospects for the season along with my favorite team, the Phillies.
This past summer my wife and I took two of our granddaughters to the Buchanan Carnival and it was getting dark and the kids were getting tired and we agreed it was time to leave. As we headed to the exit we passed the area where a bluegrass band was playing and I spotted Shotwell enjoying the music. I hadn’t seen him for awhile, and told my wife to hold up I have to go talk to someone. As usual I was greeted with a smile and a hug. We agreed the Cardinals were struggling this season and he filled me in on his health situation and he assured me he was okay. That was the last time I saw him.
I’m going to miss him dearly. I could relate to him. Even though he was in his 80s and I’m into my 70s, when it came to sports we were both just big kids.
Last Friday night at the Lord Botetourt football game I saw assistant principal Tim Jennings, who was a teacher, coach and athletic director at James River for many years before moving over to LB. I stopped to talk to him about Shotwell and we agreed there likely won’t be another one like him. He was a competitor to the end.
“The last thing he did on this earth was whip my ass in fantasy football,” said Jennings, and we both shared a laugh.
Rest in Peace, John Shotwell. You were the best.
