Longtime Menlo School leader Bill Shine has been named Central Coast Section Honor Coach this spring for his contributions to the sport, the community and his inspiration.  

The honor recognizes maintenance of professional standards of conduct, service to the sport, outstanding coaching accomplishments in terms of results on the court and off the court, contributions to the school and community, and effectiveness as a role model and inspiration to student-athletes, coaches, fellow teachers, administrators, parents and the public.

Shine has been coaching the boys’ and girls’ teams, as well as middle school students, for 29 seasons. 

Along with his coaching extraordinary teams on the court, he organizes and hosts a community event in honor of high school tennis coach and beloved pro in tennis community.

He has served at league chairman for the boys since 1995 and the girls since 2014.

Working with his colleague, Monta Vista’s Gene Fortino, he runs state and regional tournaments - the Golden State Classic & Bay Area Tennis Classic since 2017.

“Not only is Bill a leader of his teams, he is also a mentor for our coaches. From those who have been here for decades to those who are just starting, coaches go to Bill for advice on specific issues or general philosophy,” Menlo Director of Athletics Earl Koberlein said. “We have seen him help guide opposing teams’ coaches. In turn, his players do the same: when inexperienced players are on the other side of the net, Bill’s players help them if they need guidance on the rules or forget a serve side. Bill’s teams have been highly successful in terms of numbers and titles, however, his success comes in the players, opponents and families who say they have learned or were helped by him.”

Under Shine’s tenure, the Menlo boys’ teams have won 28 league, 17 CCS and 15 NorCal Championships so far and his girls’ teams at Menlo : 26 league, 11 CCS and 8 NorCal Championships and a state runner-up finish.