Former UF tennis standout Bill Tym continued to play competitively well into his life. (Photo: Courtesy of Tym's Facebook page)
Carter's Corner: Remembering Gators Hall of Famer Bill Tym
Monday, January 26, 2026 | Men's Tennis, Scott Carter
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — It has been 63 years since Bill Tym became just the second University of Florida men's tennis player to be crowned Southeastern Conference No. 1 singles champion, joining teammate James Shaffer, who accomplished the feat the previous two seasons.
Tym's impact in the game was only beginning that 1963 May afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Ala., when he defeated Tulane's Lee Fentress in the championship.
Before Tym served as president of the United States Professional Tennis Association, coached collegiate tennis at Vanderbilt and UT-Chattanooga, or played in the professional ranks, he lifted the Florida program with his play on the court and his reputation off it.
Tym, inducted into the UF Athletics Hall of Fame in 1975, passed away earlier this month.
According to his obituary, Tym died peacefully at his home in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., on Jan. 15. Tym's passing prompted tributes in the professional and college tennis communities.
"Bill dedicated his life to the pursuit of excellence, especially as it related to the game of tennis," former Florida and Vanderbilt head coach Ian Duvenhage told VUCommodores.com. "He never stopped learning, and those of us who had the opportunity to work with him never stopped learning from him. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the game will be sorely missed — he will be sorely missed."
Former Gators men's and women's tennis coach Steve Beeland, who starred on the court at UF in the late 1960s and joined Tym in the UF Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022, shared Tym's impact on him as a young player growing up in the Tampa Bay area.
"I remember when I was a high school player, and Bill played a state-wide tournament in my hometown, Clearwater," Beeland emailed. "Watching him play made me realize what big-boy tennis was and encouraged me to mold my game on his. Truly a giant in the game."
Tym's ties to the Florida program extended well into the 2020s.
He served as the personal instructor for former UF coach Bryan Shelton during a large portion of Shelton's playing career. With Shelton's son, former Gators All-American Ben Shelton, playing in the Australian Open this week, here is a story by Joel Drucker of Tennis.com that takes a closer look at the connection between Tym, Bryan Shelton, and the youngest Shelton, currently one of America's brightest tennis stars.
William Alfred Tym, who was 85, was born April 3, 1940. He moved from his native New Jersey to star at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, and played for the Gators from 1960-63.
Tym's impact in the game was only beginning that 1963 May afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Ala., when he defeated Tulane's Lee Fentress in the championship.
Before Tym served as president of the United States Professional Tennis Association, coached collegiate tennis at Vanderbilt and UT-Chattanooga, or played in the professional ranks, he lifted the Florida program with his play on the court and his reputation off it.
Tym, inducted into the UF Athletics Hall of Fame in 1975, passed away earlier this month.
According to his obituary, Tym died peacefully at his home in Mt. Juliet, Tenn., on Jan. 15. Tym's passing prompted tributes in the professional and college tennis communities.
"Bill dedicated his life to the pursuit of excellence, especially as it related to the game of tennis," former Florida and Vanderbilt head coach Ian Duvenhage told VUCommodores.com. "He never stopped learning, and those of us who had the opportunity to work with him never stopped learning from him. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the game will be sorely missed — he will be sorely missed."
Former Gators men's and women's tennis coach Steve Beeland, who starred on the court at UF in the late 1960s and joined Tym in the UF Athletics Hall of Fame in 2022, shared Tym's impact on him as a young player growing up in the Tampa Bay area.
"I remember when I was a high school player, and Bill played a state-wide tournament in my hometown, Clearwater," Beeland emailed. "Watching him play made me realize what big-boy tennis was and encouraged me to mold my game on his. Truly a giant in the game."
Tym's ties to the Florida program extended well into the 2020s.
He served as the personal instructor for former UF coach Bryan Shelton during a large portion of Shelton's playing career. With Shelton's son, former Gators All-American Ben Shelton, playing in the Australian Open this week, here is a story by Joel Drucker of Tennis.com that takes a closer look at the connection between Tym, Bryan Shelton, and the youngest Shelton, currently one of America's brightest tennis stars.
William Alfred Tym, who was 85, was born April 3, 1940. He moved from his native New Jersey to star at The Bolles School in Jacksonville, and played for the Gators from 1960-63.
Florida Men's Tennis | Henry Jefferson is BUILT FOR THIS, Gators Defeat USF 4-3 😤
Thursday, January 22
Florida Men's Tennis | Gators Open Spring Season with Hidden Dual
Saturday, January 10
Florida Men's Tennis | 2013-14 Season Preview
Friday, November 28
Inside Florida Gators Men's Tennis
Wednesday, July 17
