TENNESEE SPORTS HALL OF FAME
ANNOUNCEES THE FIRST SIX OF THE 2015 INDUCTEE CLASS
BOB CUMMINGS, WILLIAM (BILLY) DUNAVANT JR.,
JIM ENGLAND, HENRY AND ALICE HOOKER, JAMIE ROTELLA
AND LIFETIME ACHEIVEMENT INDUCTEE WILLIAM MACK BROWN
CEREMONY TO BE HELD AT THE OMNI HOTEL IN NASHVILLE, TN ON JUNE 6, 2015
Bob Cummings is a legendary football coach who won more than 100 games as a head coach during his 15 years as a coach in Tennessee high schools. Cummings also served as defensive line coach for the New Orleans Saints from 1973 to 1976.
Willam (Billy) Dunavant Jr. is the former owner of the United States Football League’s Memphis Showboats and developed the Racquet Club of Memphis. He built his company, Dunavant Enterprises, Inc., into the world’s largest cotton merchandising company and is the recipient of more than 25 award and honors.
Jim England was a two-time All-SEC guard for the University of Tennessee and a first-team 1971 Helms Athletic Foundation All-American after averaging 20.6 points per game during that season. Known by the nickname, “Mr. Clutch,” England was named team captain and led the Volunteers to a 21-7 record as a senior.
Henry and Alice Hooker are largely responsible for transforming Nashville’s Iroquois Steeplechase into the premier sporting event benefiting the Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital that it is today. Henry served 17 years as chairman of the Iroquois Race Committee while Alice served 18 years as honorary chairman of the Iroquois Steeplechase and continued to provide service as a member of the board of Vanderbilt Medical Center.
Jamie Rotella was the sixth linebacker from the University of Tennessee to earn All-American honors over a seven year period following the 1972 football season. His 413 career tackles became a school record, although it has since been broken
William Mack Brown is a Tennessee native and legendary football coach who is credited with revitalizing the North Carolina and Texas football programs. Brown Paul led the Longhorns to a Big 12 Championship and the BCS National Championship after the 2005 season. He received the “Bear” Bryant Award that year as well as being named Big 12 Coach of the Year. Brown also went on to win another Big 12 Championship and Big 12 Coach of the Year honors in 2009.
For more information on upcoming Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame events go to www.tshf.net or you can contact the Hall directly at tnsports@bellsouth.net or 615.242.4750