NASHVILLE, TN – Feb. 28, 2020 – The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame has announced Nashville Predators sports analyst Terry Crisp, two-time NCAA National Championship Vanderbilt University baseball coach Tim Corbin, and former ETSU and Auburn University basketball coach Sonny Smith as 2020 Hall of Fame inductees.
They join an already-robust list of inductees which includes former Titans coach Jeff Fisher, NBA legend Tony Delk, advocate for women in sports Bettye Giles, “the godfather of Tennessee golf” Dick Horton, and college football defensive coordinator Carl Torbush.
“The class of 2020 is one that touches lots of different sports, and has great representation from across the entire state of Tennessee,” said Brad Willis, TN Sports Hall of Fame Chief Advancement and Operations Officer. “These three gentlemen, representing hockey, college baseball, and college basketball are wonderful representatives of some of the many great athletes, coaches, and administrators that have graced our great state.”
Sonny Smith’s selection was announced Tuesday night at the Auburn-Ole Miss basketball game, as Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, an Auburn graduate, made the announcement in a pre-recorded video. Tim Corbin was surprised with news of his induction at his weekly press availability at Hawkins Field on Thursday. Terry Crisp was told of his induction at Thursday’s Predators TV production meeting, as the team prepared to host the Calgary Flames. Footage of that announcement was featured on Fox Sports Tennessee’s Predators Pregame Show.
Roan Mountain, Tennessee native Sonny Smith was a head basketball coach for 22 seasons where he mentored and coached NBA Hall of Fame player Charles Barkley and NBA legend Chuck Person. He got his start at East Tennessee State University where he single-handedly turned around a losing program before going to do the same at Auburn University. While at Auburn, he was named SEC Coach of the Year in 1984 and 1985. He was head coach when Auburn played their first SEC Tournament Championship in school history. Additionally, he is the only coach in Auburn men’s basketball history to have three consecutive 20-win seasons (1984-1986).
Terry Crisp has been a sports analyst for the Nashville Predators for 22 years. He worked with Pete Weber and, together, became one of the most well-known broadcast duos in the NHL. Crisp was part of the Emmy Award-winning Predators’ broadcasts in 2003, 2008 and 2010. His hockey career was just as extensive. Crisp played in 536 games during his 11 seasons in the NHL as a player for the Boston Bruins, St. Louis Blues, New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers. He won three Stanley Cup Championships – two as a player for the Flyers and one as a coach with Calgary, being one of only 14 individuals to win as both player and head coach.
Tim Corbin is the head coach of Vanderbilt University’s baseball program. He is one of only two SEC coaches to lead a program to 14 consecutive NCAA tournaments, the second-longest national streak. Before leading the team to the NCAA Super Regional in 2004, the Commodores baseball team hadn’t had a winning season since 1997. Corbin led his team to win two NCAA National Championships in 2014 and 2019. His coaching and mentorship has seen the Commodores win more than 30 games in 16 out of 17 seasons at Vanderbilt. He is the only Division I head coach to win multiple American Baseball Coaches Association Coach of the Year honors since 2012.
The rest of the Induction Class of 2020, induction ceremony details and ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks.
Established in 1966, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame honors figures from every sport including basketball, baseball, football, golf, soccer and track & field, along with coaches, teams, sports writers and others who made an impact. The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development oversees all operations along with the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Board of Directors.
For more information, visit www.tshf.net.
About the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame
Established in 1966, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame 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. The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame is located at 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for children and can be purchased at the Visitor Center in Bridgestone Arena, right outside of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Group rates are available for 10 or more. For more information, visit www.tshf.net.