Haywood Harris has been a steadying force in the University of Tennessee Sports Information Office since General Robert Neyland appointed him Sports Information Director in January of 1961.
Harris, a 1951 UT graduate, began his University career as Alumni Office Field Secretary for two years before General Neyland appointed him around 39 years ago as SID to replace Harris’ long-time friend and associate Gus Manning, when Manning was named UT Ticket Manager.
Harris has been associated with the SID Office and UT Athletics ever since, becoming one of the most respected figures in the Sports Information field specifically and in college athletics generally. A renowned writer, Harris came to the University after stints at The Charlotte Observer and The Knoxville Journal. Harris served UT as Sports Information Director, Assistant Athletic Director and Associate Athletic Director of Media Relations.
In 1982, Inside Sports magazine listed him as one of the top five publicists in the nation. He was named to the College Sports Information Directors of America’s Hall of Fame in 1984 and received the organization’s top award, the Arch Ward Award, in 1991.
Harris was inducted into the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame. Harris has twice served as the president of the Southeastern Conference’s publicity directors association. He earned a Chancellor’s Citation for Extraordinary Service to the University in 1992.
After his retirement in 2000, Harris is continuing his employment on a part-time basis as Executive Assistant to the Athletic Director at UT and in addition to special projects, he is continuing with football and basketball game management duties.
Along with these responsibilities, he also maintains the University’s athletic archives and serves as the department’s historian. Being an accomplished writer, during his spare time he and long-time associate Gus Manning have co-authored a book entitled Six Season Remembered; The National Championship Years of Tennessee Football.