KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Five individuals with ties to the University of Tennessee will be inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame during the 36th annual dinner and induction ceremony on Thursday, Aug. 3 at the Knoxville Convention Center.
The inductees are as follows: Rod Delmonico, James A. Haslam II, Dawn Marsh, J.J. McCleskey and Art Reynolds. The 1986-87 Lady Vol basketball team will also be honored during the event with the “Thanks for the Memories Award.”
Inspirational VFL Inky Johnson will be the featured speaker. Johnson, who suffered a career-ending injury during a home football game in 2006, inspires his audiences to embrace the challenges of life whether the topic is leadership, teamwork or perseverance.
In addition to Tennessee’s five inductees, other members of the 2017 Class include Emmet P. “Buck” Vaughn, Todd Collins, George Quarles, Kevin Swider and Rebecca O’Connor. The event also honors Knoxville’s Most Outstanding Male and Female High School Athletes of the Year, the Chad Pennington Professional Athlete of the Year and recipients of the Pat Summitt Ignite Greatness Award, Special Recognition Award and Will McKamey Spirit Award.
Tickets to the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame ceremony are still available and can be purchased HERE with all benefits going toward the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.
ROD DELMONICO
Taking over as Tennessee’s baseball coach in 1990, Rod Delmonico led the Vols to nine 40-win seasons and two 50-win campaigns. His teams captured two Southeastern Conference titles, four SEC Eastern Division crowns and three SEC Eastern Division Tournament championships. Under his tenure, UT made eight NCAA Regional trips, including five regional finals, and punched three tickets to the College World Series. The 1994 and 1995 SEC Coach of the Year also earned National Coach of the Year honors while tutoring Olympians, National and SEC Players of the Year and future Major Leaguers. During Delmonico’s 18-year career, he amassed a record of 699-396 (.638), becoming the winningest coach in UT history.
JAMES A. HASLAM II
James A. Haslam II was a three-year letterman with the Tennessee football program (1950-52), starting at right tackle all three years for General Robert R. Neyland. Haslam starred on UT’s consensus national championship team in 1951 and as team captain, led a 1952 Volunteer defense that allowed the lowest completion percentage in Tennessee history (37.9). Following his senior campaign, Haslam earned 1952 All-SEC Second Team accolades.
After his collegiate and military career, Haslam founded the Pilot Corporation and became a well-known contributor to East Tennessee communities and the Tennessee campus. Throughout his life, Haslam has served on multiple organizational boards, including the University of Tennessee’s Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy board, the University of Tennessee’s University Health System board and on the board of directors for the National Football Foundation. Haslam and his wife, Natalie, continue to empower a multitude of organizations with their involvement, generosity and leadership.
DAWN MARSH
Dawn Marsh played point guard at Alcoa High School (1981-84) and for the Lady Vols from 1984-88, leading UT’s 1986-87 team that won the national title. As one of the best pass-first point guards to ever play at Tennessee, Marsh still holds three school records: most assists in a game (18), most assists in a season (243) and most career assists (755). She competed on the USA Junior National Team in 1985 and 1986 and in 1988 she garnered All-SEC recognition. Marsh was also named the 1988 NCAA East Regional Tournament’s Most Outstanding Player during the Lady Vols’ run to the Final Four.
J.J. MCCLESKEY
A graduate of Karns High School, J.J. McCleskey walked on the 1989 Tennessee football team as a wide receiver, playing from 1989-92 under head coach Johnny Majors. McCleskey was named a captain during his senior season in 1992 after earning a scholarship and led the 1992 team to a 7-3 record, including a 38-23 Hall of Fame Bowl win over Boston College. The undrafted rookie went on to play eight seasons as a wide receiver and defensive back in the NFL with the New Orleans Saints (1993-96) and Arizona Cardinals (1997-2000).
ART REYNOLDS
Art Reynolds was a member of the Tennessee football program from 1971-73, playing linebacker on two of head coach Bill Battle’s AP top-10 teams. Reynolds earned a spot on the starting lineup during his final two seasons with the Vols and in 1972, he was named an All-SEC Second Team linebacker. Following his career at UT, the Cincinnati, Ohio, native went on to play for the Charlotte Hornets of the World Football League (1974).
1986-87 LADY VOL BASKETBALL TEAM
Under the direction of legendary head basketball coach Pat Summitt and assisted by current Tennessee head coach Holly Warlick, the 1986-87 Lady Vol basketball team captured Tennessee’s first women’s basketball NCAA Championship. The Lady Vols built a 33-24 halftime edge and never looked back, increasing their lead over Louisiana Tech by 14 points seven minutes into the second half en route to a 67-44 final score. UT attempted 19 more field goals and grabbed 11 more rebounds than the Lady Techsters in front of a championship-game record crowd of 9,823. LVFL Tonya Edwards grabbed Most Outstanding Player honors, netting 13 points for the Lady Vols, while Marsh went 4-4 from the line and added a field goal to total six points. Recently announced Lady Vol assistant coach Bridgette Gordon also had 13 points and joined Edwards on the All-Championship Team.
-UT Athletics
