The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame (TSHF) is a non-profit (501-c3) that was established in 1966 as an organization dedicated to the preservation of Tennessee’s sports heritage while honoring the contributions of legendary individuals and teams that have significant ties to the state. Through this mission we recognize the positive attributes of our inductees such as hard work, team work, dedication, focus and how these attributes are needed to achieve success in life. Using these champions as role models, we inspire youth to follow in the paths of these great teams and athletes. To further help achieve our educational goals, we have created the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Jeff Byrd Memorial Scholarship which is awarded to a college junior or senior, helping to provide for their ongoing education with a focus on a sports, sports management or sports media field.
HONORING LEADERS IN SPORTS
Our goal is to enshrine successful teams and individuals who display sportsmanship, good character and success, creating a legacy for others to follow.
The TSHF is continuing its renovation to include a significant interactive component which will allow us to offer more hands-on experiences for our guests. We are also in the process of evaluating traveling sports exhibits to bring new experiences to the TSHF.
REACHING OUR YOUTH COMMUNITIES
Through the support of sponsorships, we have established the “Champion Within” educational program. This valuable program provides youth, who due to financial constraints are unable to come and experience the TSHF, the opportunity to do so. The “Champion Within” also provides a learning platform for educators to use in the schools with the tools that instill the virtues of competition, fair play, friendship, solidarity and respect for human dignity. When the youth groups come to the TSHF, they learn about our rich sports history as well as hear a lecture and watch a video on the importance of finding their own Champion Within. The group leader is given a copy of the Champion Within CD to use in furthering their groups quest to find and develop their champion within.
In 2012, the TSHF partnered with the Tennessee Titans, Nashville Predators and the Nashville Sports Authority to sponsor the Tennessee Boys & Girls’ Club Youth Leadership Award Breakfast, recognizing the most outstanding Boys and Girls’ Club members throughout the state. The award winners were introduced to the Tennessee State legislatures. The TSHF looks forward to opportunities to continue to partner with this wonderful organization to recognize and reward our future leaders as they progress through the Boys & Girls’ Club.
The TSHF is also working with Backfield in Motion whose core belief is that ‘sports is the game and education is the future.’ In partnering with Backfield in Motion, The TSHF is providing educational and awards programs for their participants who display high academic achievement, sportsmanship and good character. The TSHF provides free admittance into the TSHF, access to our “Champion Within” program and lesson plan and opportunities for these children to attend our annual Induction Banquet so they can meet our sports legends and see the contributions they have made.
The TSHF has provided a permanent home for the TSSAA Hall of Fame exhibit. This display honors the legends of high school coaches and administrators from around the state of Tennessee. The Hall of Fame is also honoring the TSSAA state champions and outstanding performers at our annual “Champion Within” luncheon.
MAINTAINING A FRATERNAL SPIRIT
The TSHF seeks to create and sustain camaraderie among our honorees and supporters through our many events such as the Mason Rudolph Golf Tournament, the Alumni Tailgate, the Honoree Luncheon, Awards Banquet and regional Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame events.
We are sharing our vision of the TSHF throughout the state with regional events that include speaking engagements, award ceremonies, civic meetings, youth organizations and local Sports Hall of Fames across Tennessee.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE:
We are filling a void that’s not provided at any other facility in the state. Without the assistance and stewardship provided from our donors, we would cease to exist and would not be able to recognize our great sports heroes of the past nor would we be able to preserve these legends of sports for the future generations.