USJ basketball coach works to instill life lessons

JACKSON, Tenn. – Each week in February in honor of Black History Month, WBBJ will highlight someone making a significant impact on our community. This week we talk to a local basketball coach making a difference both on and off the court.

Tony Shutes coaches basketball and teaches physical education at the University School of Jackson. He took the job 28 years ago.

“I wanted to coach basketball. That was my first thing ’cause I just love the game,” Shutes said. “My elementary coach told me that I wouldn’t ever be any good and that challenged me, so then I went home. My granddad got me a basketball and I was outside every day shooting.”

Shutes went on to play basketball at Jackson State Community College and eventually graduated from Union University. He worked two jobs to get through school.

“I didn’t have an athletic scholarship. I worked at the Y from 2 to 6, changed clothes real quickly and went to Kmart and worked from 7 until 9.”

Shutes says life lessons including the value of hard work are something he works to pass on to his players.

“When I’m pushing them, not only is it pushing them to be a better basketball player but just to hopefully be a better person and just know how to work hard.”

Shutes does more than just groom basketball players. He molds young minds.

“Sports is like life. You know there’s going to be ups and downs.”

Coach Shutes says the USJ girls basketball team is currently ranked 2nd in Division 2A.