Waycross-Ware County Sports Hall of Fame inductees
Special to the WJH
David B. Shields, Jr. has devoted a lifetime to athletics as a player, coach, teacher and athletic administrator.
His love for sports began early in Ware County. As a student at Wacona Elementary and Memorial Drive Elementary, Shields developed a passion not only for athletics, but also for academics. Even at a young age, he recognized academics would influence every part of his life.
Shields graduated from Ware County Senior High School in 1980, where he participated in football, basketball, track and tennis.
Although he excelled in many sports, tennis proved to be one of his greatest strengths. He was named the Most Valuable Tennis Player and earned all-Region honors in both 1979 and 1980.
While he was certainly an outstanding tennis player, those who knew him best recognized him as an all-around great athlete.
After graduation, Shields attended Georgia Southern University, where he continued his athletic career as a member of the football team when the program was resurrected under legendary head coach Erk Russell. Determined to make an impression early, Shields recorded the fastest 40-yard dash time on the team during his first practice, clocking an impressive 4.56 seconds.
Coach Russell later named him team captain for the 1984 season. Shields became the first player to compete four years for the Eagles, following the program’s return, and graduate from the university.
During his time at Georgia Southern, Shields earned a Bachelor of Education degree in 1985. He continued his education throughout his career, later earning a Master of Education in 1995, an Education Specialist degree in 1996, and a Master of Educational Leadership degree in 2005.
His professional career in athletics and education would span 36 years. Shields began coaching at Elbert County Comprehensive High School as a varsity football and basketball assistant coach and head tennis coach.
He later coached at Lincoln County High School as a varsity football assistant under legendary head coach Larry Campbell, and as head ninthgrade baseball coach. During his time there, the football team completed a perfect 15 0 season and captured the 1993 GHSA state football championship. Shields later joined the Georgia Southern football coaching staff, where he coached the defensive line and served as recruiting coordinator.
He eventually became athletic director, head football coach and baseball coach at Bulloch Academy in Statesboro, also coaching the boys’ basketball team for two years. In his first season as head football coach, he led the team to the 1997 GISA (Georgia Independent Schools Association) state football title, and followed that success with a state runnerup finish in 1998.
In 2004, Shields returned home to Ware County, serving as an assistant football coach and head track coach from 2004-06, before being named athletic director for the Ware County School System in 2007. He served in that role until 2020, overseeing continued growth and success across the athletic program.
Throughout his career, Shields received numerous professional honors. He was named GACA (Georgia Athletic Coaches Association) Assistant Coach of the Year eight times, GISA Class A Coach of the Year in 1997, and Region 2-AA Coach of the Year in football in 1998.
He was selected as the head coach of the South GISA all-star football team and was named Center Elementary Teacher of the Year in 2006. In 2012, he was named Region 2-AAAAA Athletic Director of the Year, and in 2013 and 2016 he was recognized as the Regions Bank Director’s Cup Champion.
In 2018, Shields again received Region 2-AAAAA Athletic Director of the Year honors, and was also named the State 2AAAAA Athletic Director of the Year. He was inducted into the Bulloch Academy Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022.
Shields credits coach Erk Russell as one of the most influential figures in his life. Reflecting on his time at Georgia Southern, he once said, “Having the opportunity to play college football for coach Erk Russell for four years had a tremendous impact on my trajectory as a coach and teacher. He used to tell us that if you find a job you like, then you will never work a day in your life. He was right.”
One of Shields’ favorite memories from his lifetime in sports dates back to his senior year at Ware County. In a game against Coffee High, coach Bruce Bennett installed a special pass play the morning of the game.
On the play, Todd Veal and David lined up split to the right. Quarterback Tony Tanner threw the ball to Shields, who then lateraled downfield to a wide-open Travis Peavy. Peavy raced into the end zone for an unforgettable 87-yard touchdown.
Shields is married to Sophie, and together they have two children, Trey Shields and Jessica Shields Tipton.
The Waycross-Ware County Sports Hall of Fame proudly recognizes David B. Shields, Jr. for his remarkable lifetime of dedication and achievement in athletics.
