| NASHVILLE, TN – Sept. 17, 2020 – Harold W. Byrd, former member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, and Candice Storey Lee, Vanderbilt University’s Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and Athletic Director, are the newest members of the Board of Directors for the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Harold W. Byrd has been an advocate for the University of Memphis and the Memphis Tigers since his attention was first captured when the basketball team reached the 1957 NIT championship game. When he graduated from Bartlett High School at 16 years old, he enrolled at the University of Memphis and that fall, at the 1967 Liberty Bowl, he became a Tiger fan for life. Graduating with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, Byrd served in the Tennessee legislature from 1976 to 1982. While there, he was vocal on raising awareness and state government acknowledgement for the University of Memphis. Byrd is the co-founder and president of the Bank of Bartlett and, for nearly 20 years, has been a faithful booster, cheerleader and follower of the sports program, seeing Memphis finish in the nation’s Top 25 (in 2014 and 2017) and set several season-scoring records. Candice Storey Lee is the first African American woman to head an SEC athletics program and Vanderbilt University’s first female athletic director. Lee has served as an integral leader at the university and in athletics for almost 20 years, most recently serving as deputy director of the program, appointed in 2016. She has served as the department’s most senior female administrator since 2004. She is also the sport administrator for the football and women’s basketball programs. Under her leadership, student-athletes during the 2019-20 season exceeded a 3.0 grade-point average for the 15th straight year. The NCAA Academic Progress Rates for the 2018-19 academic year showed seven of Vanderbilt’s varsity programs earning nation-leading scores. In 2019, Sports Business Journal named Lee to its “Power Players: College Sports” list, which recognizes individuals who are some of the best problem solvers and deal makers in college sports, playing an integral role in the future of sports. In September 2019, Lee was named a 2019-20 fellow of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association’s Pressnell Executive Leadership Institute. In 2018, Adidas named Lee to its prestigious “NEXT UP” class, handpicked by some of the most respected athletic directors in the industry. She is a member of the 2012 Class of Leadership Nashville, the 2012 Vanderbilt Leadership Academy, the YWCA of Middle Tennessee Board of Directors and the SEC Executive Committee. 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. 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. # # # |
Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Adds Former Tennessee Legislator Harold W. Byrd and Candice Storey Lee, First African American Woman to Head an SEC Program, to Board
September 17th, 2020