NASHVILLE, TN – February 8, 2025 – Former Belmont University basketball standout Joe Behling has been named to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025. Behling was surprised with the announcement by Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director Brad Willis and Belmont Head Basketball Coach Casey Alexander on Saturday before Belmont’s game against Missouri State. The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, sponsored by the Tennessee Lottery, celebrates the state’s rich sports heritage and honors those who have made a lasting impact within their communities.
“Joe Behling was a dominant force on the court for Belmont and helped shape the program’s legacy,” said Brad Willis, Executive Director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. “His scoring ability and impact on Belmont basketball make him a deserving inductee. We are honored to welcome him to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2025.”
A walk-on with only one year of high school basketball experience, Behling became the first Belmont student-athlete to be named NAIA All-American three times (1988, 1989, 1990). In 1989, Behling was named NAIA National Player of the year, as he scored an incredible 1,071 points – including a program-record 58 points against Lipscomb, as he helped lead Belmont to its first NAIA National Tournament.
Behling remains the Bruins’ all-time leading scorer with 2,823 points and holds the records for field goals made with 1,163, and single season scoring average with 31.5 points per game. Behling has been named to the Belmont Bruins Hall of Fame and the NAIA Hall of Fame. His number 54 was only the second men’s basketball jersey to be retired by Belmont.
After his collegiate career, Behling played professionally in Argentina, France, and the CBA. His impact on basketball in Tennessee extends beyond his playing days, as he has remained a proud ambassador for Belmont athletics and a respected figure in the basketball community.
Behling joins Ron Slay, Derrick Mason, Chris Woodruff, Deon Grant, Doug Mathews, Stephen Gostkowski, Larry Kenon, Priscilla Gary Sweeney, the late Ronnie Robinson, the late Phillip Clark, Tony Allen, Elston Turner, George Pitts, and Bob Brown as announced members of the Class of 2025. The full 2025 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class will be released in the coming weeks.
The 2025 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, presented by the Tennessee Titans, will take place on Saturday, July 19th, at the Omni Nashville Downtown. Tables and sponsorships are available now at www.tshf.net.
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 it generates through the sale of its products. Since January 20, 2004, the Lottery has raised more than $7.6 billion to fund designated education 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 Lottery retailers have earned more than $2 billion in commissions. For additional information, visit tnlottery.com and follow the TEL on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
