NASHVILLE, TN – March 22, 2023 – Former Vanderbilt Women’s Basketball Player, Fisk Basketball Coach, and TSU Athletics Director Teresa Lawrence Phillips has been named to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2023. Phillips was told of the news Wednesday during a Title IX discussion on the campus of Belmont University. The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame pays homage to the state’s rich sports history and their impact within the community. On behalf of sponsor Tennessee Lottery, the Hall offers free admission at their downtown Nashville location Tuesday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
*Image used with permission from Tennessee State University
“Teresa Lawrence Phillips made positive change for sports during every level of her career. From a player, to a coach, to an athletics director, she worked tirelessly to make sports better in every way,” said Brad Willis, Executive Director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. “We’re very excited to have Teresa Lawrence Phillips as part of our 2023 Class of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.”
Phillips was born in Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, and attended Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga. She was the second African-American student to attend GPS, and the first black player on the basketball team. After her graduation in 1976, Phillips attended Vanderbilt University on an academic scholarship and was asked to join the university’s first women’s basketball team in 1978. As a senior in 1980, Phillips was awarded the first-ever women’s Athlete of the Year Award. After her graduation, Phillips joined Vanderbilt basketball coach Joe Pepper’s staff as an assistant coach. During that time, the team would become a legitimate contender in the SEC, playing in their first AIAW tournament in 1982 and winning the Women’s NIT Tournament in 1984. At the age of 26, Phillips was hired as the head coach of the Fisk University Lady Bulldogs basketball team. Under her leadership, Fisk tallied a 62-38 record and won two conference titles. Phillips was names WIAC Coach of the Year in 1987 and 1988. In 1989, Phillips became head basketball coach at Tennessee State University. From 1989-2000 she led the Tigers to their first OVC regular season and tournament championships and their first NCAA Tournament appearance. Phillips moved from coaching to administration in 2002, becoming the Athletic Director at TSU, a position she would hold until her retirement in 2020. In 2003, Phillips made history as the first woman to coach an NCAA men’s basketball team, serving as an interim coach for a game against Austin Peay.
Phillips was inducted into the Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame in 2017 and the Ohio Valley Conference Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021.
Phillips joins former Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck, former Memphis Grizzlies power forward Zach Randolph, former Nashville Predators Captain Mike Fisher, Memphis Football linebacker Tim Harris, MTSU baseball legend Steve Smith, golfer Loren Roberts, Bristol Motor Speedway Co-Founder Carl R. Moore, ETSU Basketball Coach and Athletics Director Les Robinson, and Lady Vol Track star and Olympic Gold Medalist Tianna Madison as 2023 Inductees. The full 2023 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Induction Class will be released over the coming weeks.
The 2023 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony, presented by the Tennessee Titans, will be held Saturday, July 22nd at the Omni Nashville Downtown. Ticket information will be announced at a later date.
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. The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame is located at 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. 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 $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 $16.5 billion in prizes and Lottery retailers have earned more than $1.5 billion in commissions. For additional information, visit tnlottery.com and follow the TEL on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
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