University of Tennessee Athletics
The Doug Dickey Hall of Champions
July 14, 2003
One of the really exciting projects currently underway on campus is the Brenda and Toby McKenzie Athletics Center just south of the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center. It's been called the "front door" to campus athletic facilities and, from all indications, should be one of the campus showpieces.
It will be a must-see for all Vols fans coming to campus, for Tennessee games or during the week. No doubt about it.
You will remember that, when former AD Doug Dickey was honored at halftime of the Kentucky game last November, UT president Dr. John Shumaker announced the creation of the Doug Dickey Hall of Champions near the McKenzie Center's main entrance. A rendering of the Doug Dickey Hall of Champions is shown with this article.
The objective is to showcase the great history of all sports at UT, from the earliest days of football and basketball to the newer sports that have come on the scene over the years. It's a tribute to excellence and achievement.
"The Doug Dickey Hall of Champions will tell the story of UT athletics and traditions, from the first tentative steps more than a century ago, to the exciting events of the first part of the 21st century," AD Mike Hamilton said. "There will be something there for Vols fans of all sports. We look forward to getting it open in the latter part of 2004."
Planning is currently underway for the Hall of Champions, which will include a tribute to Tennessee's NCAA and SEC men's and women's championship teams and individuals and space for each of Tennessee's varsity sports.
Included are 19 NCAA championship teams and a spate of national awards, SEC titles, All-America selections, Olympians and world champions. The firm of Gallagher and Associates of Bethesda, Md., is working with UTAD staff to help make this section of the building a reality. Plans are for the Dickey Hall to cover 7000 sq. ft., all on one level.
The story will be told with all the "relevant bells and whistles,"
with vintage video and film, plus unique and historic photographs from a tradition
that is still building. You want a first-rate explication of the Vols tradition?
Here it is, all under one roof.
Also included in the project are a "Tennessee Legends" section, noting
the persons who have had great influence on the program, and a tribute to broadcasters
Lindsey Nelson and John Ward.
Nelson, you will remember, founded the Vol Network in the early 1950s before going on to a stellar professional career that made him one of the best-known voices of his profession. Ward, a UT law school grad turned ad man, told the Tennessee story on the Vol Network, for 31 years in football, 35 in basketball.
You can look for a current events and award section, highlighting what's happening on the current scene in the UT athletic community.
University of Tennessee Athletics Department staff working on the project include: Bob Davis, Mike Rollo, Haywood Harris and Tom Mattingly.
Vols fans with championship or other memorabilia should call Tom Mattingly (865/974-1266).
The Doug Dickey Hall of Champions and the Brenda and Toby McKenzie Athletics Center are part of STEP UP, a comprehensive capital campaign to raise $44.25 million for new, renovated and expanded facilities benefiting 17 of UT's 20 men's and women's intercollegiate teams. These improvements are designed to enable UT to continue competing for SEC and NCAA Championships in each sport.
