“Nashville Banner” Sports Editor Fred Russell penned the following tribute to colleague “Blinkey” Horn upon the latter’s death on May 20, 1937: “He never saw the inside of an academic hall at Vanderbilt University, but “Blinky” Horn for over a quarter of a century was a valued, honored figure of ‘the Vanderbilt tradition.’” A Nashville native and lifelong resident, Horn covered sports for “The Nashville Tennessean” from 1912 until his death, and was for eighteen years sports editor. In his column, “From Bunker to Bleacher,” Horn wrote of many sporting events in his community, but more than anything else, was a dedicated supporter of Vanderbilt football and a close personal friend of coaching legend, Dan McGugin. While his column recounted the facts surrounding wins and losses, Mr. Horn emphasized fair sportsmanship on the playing field. Mr. Horn had a keen interest in amateur sports within his community, and personally sponsored the first statewide boys’ basketball tournament. The Tennessee Secondary Schools Athletic Association (TSSAA) was an outgrowth of these tournaments and Mr. Horn’s dedication to the youth of Tennessee. Mr. Horn’s unwavering support for physical development among younger Tennesseans also fostered the development of the first Golden Gloves boxing tournament. His dedicated and always-fair coverage of the Nashville Vols baseball brought him such respect that every player and member of management for the team attended his funeral. An editorial epitaph for “Blinkey” Horn in the May 22, 1937 issue of “The Nashville Tennessean” concluded by saying that “Rest has come to Blinkey Horn after his long and fruitful labors. Youth has lost a friend, but still may profit long by the example he has set.”
