NASHVILLE, Tenn. – May 13, 2026 – The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Tennessee Lottery, announced the recipients of its 2026 Achievement Awards today. Headlining this year’s honorees is Candice Storey Lee, Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and Athletic Director at Vanderbilt University, who has been named the 2026 Tennessean of the Year. This year’s class reflects the strength and diversity of Tennessee’s sports landscape—from national champions and professional standouts to record-setting collegiate programs. The Hall will formally present its top honors at its 2026 Banquet, presented by the Tennessee Titans, on July 11 at the Omni Nashville Downtown.
“This year’s Achievement Award honorees reflect the very best of Tennessee’s rich sports tradition — from legends who’ve inspired generations to rising stars making their mark on the national stage,” said Harold Graeter, Chairman of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors. “We are proud to honor these individuals and teams whose dedication, excellence, and impact represent what the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame stands for.”
2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Honoree Awards:
Tennessean of the Year, Presented by the Tennessee Lottery – Candice Storey Lee
Candice Storey Lee has led Vanderbilt Athletics through a period of strategic growth and competitive achievement as vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director. During the 2025–2026 academic year, Vanderbilt Football posted a 10–3 record and rose into the national rankings, while the men’s basketball program finished 27–9, placed fourth in the Southeastern Conference regular season standings, earned a top-20 national ranking, and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. The women’s basketball program emerged as one of the nation’s elite teams, compiling a 29–5 record, finishing near the top of the SEC standings, and advancing to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen.
A longtime member of the Vanderbilt administration, Lee has emphasized a culture of accountability, academic achievement, and operational excellence, strengthening the university’s national profile while enhancing the student-athlete experience. Her leadership has positioned Vanderbilt Athletics for sustained success in the SEC and on the national stage, while reinforcing a commitment to excellence that extends across campus and throughout the Nashville community.
Pat Summitt Lifetime Achievement Award, Presented by Curb Records – Rick Insell
Middle Tennessee State University Women’s Basketball Head Coach Rick Insell concluded a historic coaching career in 2026 as one of the most accomplished figures in the game. Over 21 seasons at his alma mater, Insell became the winningest coach in program history with 505 victories, leading the Blue Raiders to 21 consecutive postseason appearances, including 12 NCAA Tournament bids and multiple conference championships.
During his final season, Insell guided Middle Tennessee to a postseason appearance while surpassing 500 career victories at the Division I level, becoming the first coach in basketball history to achieve 500 wins in both college and high school. A Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame inductee, Insell’s legacy is defined not only by sustained competitive success, but by his impact on generations of student-athletes and the standard of excellence he established across Tennessee and the national landscape.
David Williams Significant Historical Achievement Award, Presented by ATA – Dylan And Carter Nutt
The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame will present the David Williams Significant Historical Achievement Award to brothers Dylan and Carter Nutt, recognizing a landmark accomplishment in competitive fishing on March 15, 2026. On the same weekend that Dylan Nutt captured the Bassmaster Classic championship in Knoxville, his brother Carter Nutt, representing the University of North Alabama along with teammate Bryce DiMauro, won the 2026 Strike King College Classic Exhibition at Watts Bar.
Together, the Nutt brothers achieved a rare and historic feat on one of the sport’s biggest stages, competing simultaneously at the highest levels of professional and collegiate fishing. Their performance not only marked a defining moment in their careers but also brought national attention to Tennessee as a premier destination for competitive fishing.
Professional Athlete of the Year – Jeffery Simmons
Jeffery Simmons delivered a dominant 2025 season for the Tennessee Titans, establishing himself as one of the National Football League’s premier defensive linemen. Simmons recorded 67 tackles and a career-high 11 sacks while consistently disrupting opposing offenses as one of the league’s most impactful interior defenders.
His performance earned First-Team All-Pro honors and a Pro Bowl selection, further solidifying his reputation as an elite presence on the defensive front. Simmons continues to serve as a cornerstone of the Titans’ defense and a leader both on and off the field.
Professional Team of the Year – Nashville SC
Nashville SC delivered a historic 2025 season by capturing the 2025 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, securing the first major trophy in club, city, and state history for a professional sports franchise in Tennessee. Competing against top teams from across Major League Soccer and the broader U.S. soccer landscape, Nashville SC demonstrated resilience and high-level performance throughout the tournament to emerge as national champions.
The victory marked a defining milestone for professional soccer in Tennessee, elevating the club’s profile and energizing its growing fan base.
Female Amateur Team of the Year – Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball
Vanderbilt Commodores women’s basketball delivered one of the nation’s top seasons in 2025–2026, compiling a 29–5 record and advancing to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen. Competing in the Southeastern Conference, the Commodores established themselves as one of the premier teams in college basketball.
Male Amateur Team of the Year – Freed Hardeman Basketball
Freed-Hardeman Lions men’s basketball completed a remarkable 2025–2026 season by capturing the NAIA National Championship. The Lions tallied the most wins in a single season (35) and the longest winning streak in program history. That 32-game win streak is currently the longest active winning streak in all levels of college basketball. Additionally, the Lions won the Mid-South Conference regular season title outright for the first time and won the tournament title for the fourth consecutive time, going undefeated on their home court, and in conference play.
Female Amateur Athlete of the Year, Presented by the TSSAA (TIE)– Karlyn Pickens, Tennessee, and Maya Johnson, Belmont
The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame has named Karlyn Pickens and Maya Johnson co-recipients of the 2026 Female Amateur Athlete of the Year award, recognizing two of the nation’s top pitching performances.
Pickens, a standout for the Tennessee Volunteers, emerged as one of the premier pitchers in collegiate softball, anchoring Tennessee’s success on the national stage.
At Belmont University, Johnson delivered a dominant season while competing with lupus, demonstrating remarkable resilience and leading her program to a highly successful campaign.
Together, their accomplishments highlight the depth of elite softball talent across Tennessee.
Male Amateur Athlete of the Year, Presented by the TSSAA – Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt Football
Diego Pavia delivered an outstanding 2025 season as the leader of the Vanderbilt Commodores offense, emerging as one of the Southeastern Conference’s most dynamic quarterbacks.
His performance earned national recognition as a Heisman Trophy runner-up, while also receiving the Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award and Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors, and earning finalist distinction for both the Walter Camp Player of the Year and Manning Awards.
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 all forms, from all across the state. Additionally, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame aspires to educate youth about the 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 generated through the sale of its products. Since January 20, 2004, the Lottery has raised more than $8.1 billion to fund designated education programs, including college grants, scholarships, Drive to 55 initiatives, and after-school programs. In addition to educational beneficiaries, players have won billions in prizes, and Lottery retailers have earned billions in commissions. For more information, visit tnlottery.com and follow the Tennessee Education Lottery on Facebook, X (Twitter), and Instagram.
