NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jan. 28, 2025 – The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame will honor five standout individuals as part of its 2025 class with the inductions of Stephen Gostkowski, Larry Kenon, Priscilla Gary Sweeney, the late Ronnie Robinson, and the late Phillip Clark. These inductees showcase the breadth and depth of Tennessee’s sports heritage, further solidifying the state’s legacy in the sports world. Sponsored by the Tennessee Lottery, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame celebrates the impact of Tennessee’s athletes on and off the field.
“These inductees represent excellence, perseverance, and leadership in their respective sports,” said Brad Willis, Executive Director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. “Each has made a lasting contribution to the sports community in Tennessee and beyond. We are thrilled to honor their achievements and welcome them to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025.”
About the 2025 Inductees:
Stephen Gostkowski – A Mississippi native, Stephen Gostkowski is one of the most successful kickers in NFL history. Gostkowski was a four-year starter at kicker for the Memphis Tigers football team, finishing with a school-record 369 points. His 70 field goals and 159 extra points both set school records previously held by Tennessee Sports Hall of Famer Joe Allison. Gostkowski was named First-Team All Conference USA in his junior and senior seasons and was named the Conference USA Special Teams Player of the Year in 2005. Gostkowski was selected in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the New England Patriots, where he would play professionally from 2006-2019. During his time in New England, Gostkowski was named First-Team All-Pro in 2008 and 2015, Second-Team All-Pro in 2014, and a Pro Bowler four times. Gostkowski is a five-time NFL Scoring Leader and won three Super Bowl Championships with New England. Gostkowski last played in the NFL with the Tennessee Titans in 2020.
Larry Kenon – Born in Birmingham, Alabama, Larry Kenon made his mark in Tennessee during his time playing basketball for the Memphis State Tigers. Kenon led the Tigers to the 1973 NCAA National Championship game and was named MVC Player of the Year. Kenon went on to play professional basketball, drafted by both the NBA and the ABA. Kenon began his career with the ABA’s New York Nets, winning an ABA Championship in 1974, before being traded to the San Antonio Spurs in 1975. After the NBA-ABA merger, Kenon went on to play with the Chicago Bulls, Golden State Warriors, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Kenon was a three-time ABA All-Star and a two-time NBA All-Star during a more than decade-long professional career.
Priscilla Gary Sweeney – Raised in Memphis, Priscilla Gary-Sweeney ran track for Hamilton High School, before going on to play basketball at Southwest Community College, where she became the all-time leading scorer for the Lady Saluqis and helped lead the team to a TJCAA Championship in 1982. At the conclusion of her career at Southwest, Gary-Sweeney received a scholarship from Kansas State University, where she helped lead the Wildcats to a Big Eight Conference Tournament Championship and a trip to the Elite Eight in her junior season, and a Big Eight Regular Season Championship and a Sweet Sixteen appearance in her senior season. After college Gary-Sweeney enlisted in the Air Force, where she served until her retirement in 2015. She has been named to the Kansas State Sports Hall of Fame, and the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame.
Ronnie Robinson – A key figure in Memphis basketball history, Ronnie Robinson attended Memphis Melrose High School, and starred at Memphis State where he played a pivotal role in the Tigers’ success during the 1970s. Robinson helped Memphis State reach the Final Four in 1973, and was known for his versatility and tenacity. Following his college career, Robinson was drafted into the NBA and ABA. Robinson opted to go to the ABA where he played from 1973-1975 with the Utah Stars and the Memphis Sounds. Robinson’s number 33 has been retired by the Memphis Tigers. Robinson passed away on March 8, 2004 in Memphis.
Phillip Clark – Clark coached Germantown High School and Bartlett High School’s baseball teams to 973 combined wins and five high school baseball state championships. Clark became the head coach of the Germantown High baseball team in 1988, and in 1995, he led Germantown to a 38-0 record and the National High School Baseball Championship. Also in 1995, the coached the Team USA 18U team to a Gold Medal by defeating Chinese Taipei in Taiwan. Clark was named 1995 Coach of the Year by USA Today. In 2003, Clark became head baseball coach at Bartlett High School, and won 321 games over the next ten seasons. In 2013, Clark was named the first athletic director of the Bartlett School System. Phillip Clark passed away on January 19 at the age of 68.
The annual induction ceremony, presented by the Tennessee Titans, will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at the Omni Nashville Downtown. More details, including ticket information, will be announced soon.
About the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame
Established in 1966, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Tennessee Lottery, enshrines and honors athletes, teams, coaches, sports writers and sports administrators who have made an impact on the history of Tennessee sports. The Hall serves as a platform to connect athletes, coaches, sports fans, and supporters by acknowledging life achievements implemented through sports. The Hall celebrates athletes of allforms, from all across the state. Additionally, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame aspires to educate youth aboutthe importance of healthy habits and the positive impact they have on lifestyle choices. For more information, visit www.tshf.net.
About the Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation
The Tennessee Education Lottery Corporation operates entirely from the revenue it generates through the sale of its products. Since January 20, 2004, the Lottery has raised more than $7.6 billion to fund designatededucation programs, including college grants, scholarships, Drive to 55 initiatives and after-school programs. In addition to the educational beneficiaries, players have won more than $20.8 billion in prizes and Lotteryretailers have earned more than $2 billion in commissions. For additional information, visit tnlottery.com and follow the TEL on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
