How the University of Tennessee made admission free for the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame

The Tennessee Vols' athletic history is well-represented inside the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, and thanks to the school, fans will be able to tour the hall free through March.

UT is picking up the tab for admission through a new sponsorship program for anyone wishing to visit the hall located inside Bridgestone Arena.

"Tennessee athletics has long been a supporter of ours," said Brad Willis, executive director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. "Our goal is to get more people through the door and let them learn about the people we've inducted and the history of sports in this state."

Admission is normally $3 for adults and $2 for children.

Tennessee fans will find several attractions in the hall. Former Tennessee athletics director Doug Dickey helped get the hall of fame off the ground in 1966 when he was the Vols' football coach.

"Coach Dickey was really involved in the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in its formative years so Tennessee is really well represented," Willis said.

"Obviously when you talk about the success stories of all the sports at UT, there are plenty of names that have come through over the years that are in our hall. We've got an area completely dedicated to Pat Summitt and her legacy."

Willis pointed out the timing of the return of the SEC women's basketball tournament March 2-6 at Bridgestone Arena, meaning those fans will be able to take advantage of the free admission.

Tennessee's sponsorship is part of a corporate membership program Willis started this year. He hopes to find other sponsors to keep the hall of fame free as long as possible.

Ex-Titans coach Jeff Fisher will coach in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl

Former Tennessee Titans coach Jeff Fisher, now a senior advisor at Tennessee State, has been selected to coach in the 10th annual NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Fisher will coach the American team, which will go against the National team led by fellow longtime NFL coach Marvin Lewis on Jan. 29 at the Rose Bowl.

It will be a return to the venue for Fisher, who helped lead Southern California to Rose Bowl victories as a player in 1978 and 1979.

“Games like the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl play a big part in preparing the next generation of football players for success at the professional level,” Fisher said. “I’m honored to be a head coach this year and look forward to working with these talented prospects.”

Fisher will get to coach a TSU player in the game. Tigers safety Cory Rahman has accepted an invitation to play. He was TSU's second-leading tackler in 2021 after transferring from Southeastern University.

This will be Lewis' second consecutive time to coach in the bowl, which was canceled in 2021 because of COVID-19. Lewis, a longtime Cincinnati Bengals coach who is now a special assistant to Arizona State coach Herm Edwards, led the National team to a 30-20 victory in 2020.

Darius Garland named NBA Eastern Conference player of the week

Former Brentwood Academy and Vanderbilt star Darius Garland, in his third season with the Cleveland Cavaliers, was the NBA Eastern Conference player of the week.

Garland helped Cleveland win four consecutive games by posting double-doubles in two games and a triple-double in another.

He had 12 points and 11 assists in a 109-108 win over Sacramento and then 11 points, 14 assists and 10 rebounds in a 111-91 win over Utah. That night, Garland became just the fourth player in Cleveland history to post a triple-double before the age of 22, joining LeBron James, Brad Daugherty and Kyrie Irving.

Garland then scored a season-high tying 32 points in a 114-109 win over San Antonio and 27 points and 18 assists in a 107-102 win over Oklahoma City

Jackson Sirmon joining his father at Cal

Former Brentwood Academy linebacker Jackson Sirmon, who spent the last three seasons at Washington, is transferring to California, where he will join his father and former Titans player Peter Sirmon, the Golden Bears' defensive coordinator and inside linebackers coach.

Jackson Sirmon, who led Brentwood Academy to two state championships, made the All-Pac 12 honorable mention list in 2021,

He led Washington in tackles with 92, including four for loss. He also had an interception and forced a fumble.

Peter Sirmon spent two seasons on the Tennessee Vols staff earlier in his career.

Mary Francis Hoots is the new weekend anchor in Chattanooga

Former Father Ryan and Tennessee Tech soccer standout Mary Francis Hoots is the new weekend evening anchor for WRCB-TV in Chattanooga. Hoots was hired as a reporter at the NBC affiliate in 2019.

Hoots was the most valuable player at Father Ryan as a senior and then started a total of 66 games at Tech. She also played basketball at Father Ryan.

She did her internship at WSMV Channel 4 in Nashville.

Ex-BGA star Geep Wade joins Tulane staff

Former BGA football standout Geep Wade, who spent last season on the staff at Georgia Southern, is Tulane's new offensive line coach.

Wade was the defensive coordinator and offensive line coach at UT Martin from 2018-20. He was the offensive line coach at MTSU from 2013-15 and a graduate assistant at Tennessee in 2004.

Wade also was a standout wrestler at BGA.

Austin Peay QB Draylen Elliis and DT Terrell Allen suspended indefinitely

Austin Peay sophomore quarterback Draylen Ellis and sophomore defensive tackle Terrell Allen were suspended indefinitely for violating team and athletics department policies.

Ellis, who also was suspended during the season, was the Ohio Valley Conference co-freshman of the year after throwing for 2,626 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, which recognizes the FCS’ most outstanding freshman.

Allen made the All-OVC second team after recording 36 tackles and five sacks.

Cornelius Ridley book will be available Jan. 25

Constance Ridley-Smith's book on her father Cornelius, a legendary local high school basketball coach, will be available in Nashville bookstores on Jan. 25.

The title of the book is "Coach Ridley Bringing Back the Glory: The Career of Cornelius Ridley at Pearl High School."

It covers Ridley's time at Pearl, which included winning the 1966 and 1981 state championships.

Ridley, who was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2007, remained at Pearl until 1984. He then coached at Maplewood and later at Whites Creek where he remained until 1991. His career record was 684-171.

The book is also available on amazon.com.

New date for Nashville Old Timers Baseball Association banquet

The 84th annual Nashville Old Timers Baseball Association 84th banquet has been rescheduled for Feb. 6 at Sonesta Nashville Airport.

The banquet begins at 5:30 p.m.

It was originally scheduled for Jan. 16 but postponed due to inclement weather.

Tommy John will be the guest speaker and the group's local scholarship winners will be recognized.

Bradford Gaines commits to Lindsey Wilson

Quarterback Bradford Gaines, who led Donelson Christian Academy to a 12-1 record and the TSSAA Division II-A state championship, committed to play for Lindsey Wilson.

Matt Wright, a former Austin Peay assistant, was named Lindsey Wilson's offensive coordinator earlier this month.

Gaines, a Mr. Football Division II-A finalist, is the son of former Vanderbilt running back great Brad Gaines. Bradford Gaines completed 115 of 178 passes for 2,506 yards with 32 touchdowns and nine interceptions.

He was named to the Tennessee Sports Writers Association Division II-A All-State team Thursday.

Two Belmont players on the Lou Henson Watch List

Belmont's Nick Muszynski and Grayson Murphy were added to the Lou Henson Watch List.

The award goes to the nation's to mid-major college player.

Muszynski is a 6-foot-11 center averaging 15.4 points and 5.8 rebounds and Murphy, a point guard from Independence, posted his second career triple-double Monday — 11 points, 12 rebounds, 10 assists — in a win over Southern Illinois Edwardsville.

Other players from the OVC on the list include Johnie Broome from Morehead State and Tevin Brown from Murray State.

East Nashville's Corvin Scott joins Belmont staff

Corvin Scott, who played baseball at East Nashville (2012-14), is the new assistant coach at Belmont.

After graduating from MTSU, Scott was an assistant at Volunteer State.

He spent last season on the staff at King University and before that was a graduate assistant at Campbellsville.

Predators accepting scholarship applications

The Nashville Predators Foundation is accepting applications for the 2022 Jack Diller Education Award until Feb. 25.

The foundation will award four Middle Tennessee college-bound students a $2,500 scholarship in April. Scholarship winners will be based on academics, athletics and volunteerism.

“The Jack Diller Education Award is important to the Preds Foundation because it gives us the opportunity to recognize inspiring students who demonstrate the value of education and community outreach,” said Predators vice president of community relations Rebecca King,

The award is named after the Predators’ first president, Jack Diller, who was an advocate for the club’s strong community relations.

Applications are available at https://bit.ly/3285mn3.

MTSU football great Greg Gregory dies

Middle Tennessee State football standout Greg Gregory, who later served on the Blue Raiders and Kentucky coaching staffs, died on Jan. 6. He was 70.

Gregory, a native of Georgetown, Kentucky, was a three-time All-OVC defensive tackle who former MTSU coach Bubber Murphy once said was the best to ever play the position for the Blue Raiders.

Gregory became an assistant coach at MTSU after his playing career ended and later joined Fran Curci's staff at Kentucky. He also was he coach at Tullahoma and Boyd County in Kentucky.

MTSU baseball fundraiser is Feb. 2

The 49th annual MTSU baseball celebration Groundhog Day is Feb. 2 at 11:30 a.m. at Student Union Ballroom on campus.

Admission for the fundraiser is $20 if preordered and $25 the day of the event. Tickets are available at bit.ly/3A505Jv

Along with a meal coach Jim Toman will introduce his players and hand out team jackets to supporters.

The Blue Raiders open the season at Wilmington, North Carolina Feb. 18 at noon against St. John's followed by a 4 p.m. game against UNC Wilmington.

Father Ryan coach Joe Coode dies at 60

Joe Coode, who coached several sports at Father Ryan, died Tuesday. He was 60.

Coode was a Father Ryan and MTSU graduate who spent 35 years on the staff at Father Ryan.

He was a wellness instructor who also served as an assistant football, basketball and softball coach. He also coached the school’s junior varsity baseball team.

Coode was an athletic trainer and oversaw many of Father Ryan's summer sports camps.

Final arrangements will be announced next week.

Bill Breen wins Quarter Century Championship

Nashville’s Bill Breen birdied the last three holes to win the Quarter Century Championship at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

Breen was one stroke behind Mark Anderson of St. Simon’s Island, Georgia, with three holes to play, and took the lead with birdies on the 16th and 17th holes on the Wanamaker Course.

Breen added a birdie on the last hole to finish at 12-under 132, three ahead of Anderson and Brian Cairns of Walled Lake, Michigan, after Anderson bogeyed the 18th.

If you have an item for Midstate Chatter contact Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.

Sports on Nashville TV

The five highest-rated sports events locally for the week ending Jan. 10-16 in Nashville:

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: University of Tennessee makes admission free to Sports Hall of Fame