University of Tennessee Athletics
Former Vol Track Athlete Scott Hartman Dies at Brentwood Home
Nov. 13, 2003
Scott Graham Hartman, the University of Tennessee track and field athlete injured in an April 17, 1987, accident in his first collegiate track meet in Lexington, Ky., died Wednesday morning at his family's home in Brentwood. He was 36 years old, born Oct. 12, 1967.
Visitation with the family will be Friday, Nov. 14, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. (CST), at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home, 3009 Columbia Ave, in Franklin.. Funeral Mass will be Saturday, Nov. 15, at 11 a.m. (CST) at Holy Family Catholic Church, 9100 Crockett Road, Brentwood, with Father Tom Doyle officiating.
Interment will follow at Williamson Memorial Gardens, also at 3009 Columbia Ave. in Franklin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Scott Hartman Memorial Fund at First Tennessee Bank, 7082 Baker's Bridge Road, Franklin, TN 37064.
"We are saddened at the passing of Scott Hartman," UT Athletics Director Mike Hamilton said. "We fondly remember the example he set for his teammates and the University of Tennessee with his work ethic and dedication during the time he was with us."
"We are all heartened by the spirit shown by Scott Hartman and his family over these past years," Dr. Joe Johnson, UT interim president, said. "All of us at the University extend our condolences to his family."
Hartman was injured in what was described as a "one in a million accident." Published reports indicated Hartman was retrieving the 16-pound hammer from a previous throw when he was struck in the head by one thrown from nearly 160 feet away.
"UT has been wonderful for us," Hartman's mother, Kay, said. "We appreciate what they've done. Scott's been at home for 14 years, coming home in January 1990. We knew he wasn't getting any better. Now he's whole again."
A 1986 graduate of Brentwood High School, Hartman shattered the Tennessee state record in the decathlon by scoring 8720 points, 200 points higher than the previous record.
"To the other athletes he competed against, Scott was somebody they looked up to," said Gene Andrews, Hartman's former high school track coach. "He was not really looked at as an opponent - but somebody that was a coach who was their own age. He was never arrogant, never ran his mouth. You could kid around with him. He was just a pleasant person to be around."
