NASHVILLE, TN – Aug. 20, 2020 – The “Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2020 Special Presented by the Tennessee Titans” will be broadcast as a 2-hour televised special event Saturday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. CT (check local listings for market-specific information). The event, celebrating sports in the Volunteer State, will be hosted by Mike Keith, host and voice of the Tennessee Titans.
The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame adds a star-studded list of sports icons with the inductions of Tim Corbin, Terry Crisp, Tony Delk, Jeff Fisher, Bettye Giles, Dick Horton, Heath Shuler, Bruton Smith, Sonny Smith, Carl Torbush and DeAngelo Williams.
“Due to the challenges of the pandemic, we changed our approach of our yearly induction program thanks to the diligent work of our Board acting in the best interest of everyone’s health and well-being,” said Brad Willis, Chief Advancement and Operations Officer of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. “We look forward to honoring this class in-person when the time is right; but, we are excited to officially induct this star-studded class with this televised special.”
Sports fans can hear stories and acceptance speeches of inductees, along with candid interviews from those they mentored and inspired along the way including former Tennessee Titan Eddie George, American professional golfer Brandt Snedeker, professional baseball player Tony Kemp, Nashville Predators CEO & President Sean Henry and more.
Honorees include Dolly Parton as Tennessean of the Year, Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry as Pro Athlete of the Year and the Tennessee Titans as the Pro Team of the Year. Former Vanderbilt University and NBA Philadelphia 76ers basketball player Perry Wallace will be honored posthumously with the David Williams Significant Historical Achievement Award. Woody Hunt, 17-time Coach of the Year and Rawlings Coach of the Year Award winner, will receive the Pat Summitt Lifetime Achievement Award.
Additional honorees include: Amateur Female Athlete of the Year winner Maria Bulanova; Co-Amateur Male Athletes of the Year winners Kumar Rocker and Trey Smith; Female Amateur Team of the Year winner University of Tennessee Swimming & Diving; and Male Amateur Team of the Year Vanderbilt University baseball.
A week-long silent auction will precede the special event beginning Monday, Aug. 24 through 8 p.m. Sunday night, Aug. 30 featuring a collection of valued items including a Tennessee Titans team-issued football autographed by Jeff Fisher, Dolly Parton autographed guitar, Vanderbilt baseball signed by Tim Corbin and more. Further silent auction details are forthcoming.
The special will be broadcast on the following stations:
• Nashville: NewsChannel5+
Comcast Xfinity channel 250
Charter Spectrum channel 182
Digital Channel 5.2
Available on the NewsChannel5 app on Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV
7 p.m. CT Saturday Aug. 29
• Knoxville: MyVLT
7 p.m. ET Saturday Aug. 29
• Jackson: EPlusTV6
7 p.m. CT Saturday Aug. 29
• Johnson City: WJHL CBS 11
Noon ET Saturday Aug. 29
• Chattanooga: WDEF News 12
Noon ET Sunday Aug. 30
• Memphis: WLMT CW30
4 p.m. CT Sunday Aug. 30
The event will also be streamed online on the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame website, @TheTSHF on Twitter and @TNSportsHallofFame on Facebook.
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.
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August 30, 2020 at 4:07 am, Theodore McMorrough said:
I am an alumni of UT and resided at Gibbs Hall in 1967. I was friends with “Chip” Kell and Lester McClain as they both stayed on the 3rd floor with us tennis players during their freshman year. Coach Phil Fulmer was also one of our class and teammates. ThouI love Big Orange Country and I learned extremely valuable life lessons there and fought my way thru a Masters degree. I was Distinguished Military ROTC graduate and left in 1974 immediately accepting my Comission as U.S. Army 2Lt and went straight on active duty. Although strained at times my time spent in Knoxville are among the most cherished of my life and I will forever be a Tennessee Volunteer from Rocky Top. My son and I attended the Mississippi State football game for a reunion weekend that set the Vols on the winning path and we attended the Indiana game in Jacksonville that was a GREAT win and set the stage for this year. I am so looking forward to visiting again when when the virus allows us to travel once more. I pray God’s very highest blessings on the atheletes, coaches, staff, administrators, employees and especially the students who are “growing up” at the University of Tennessee Knoxville. I love all of you.