College notes: UT announces next step in Neyland development

KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee announced the next big step in the process of transforming the waterfront at Neyland Stadium on Wednesday by issuing its notice of intent to award the Neyland Entertainment District project to the 865 Neyland Project Team.

The group consists of experts in real estate development and sports entertainment, led by Dixon Greenwood, along with Jake Miller, Taylor Gray, the Hartland Hotel Group, and Johnson Architecture.

University of Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White worked with other UT Knoxville leaders and the UT System to initiate a request for proposals. UTsports.com says the notice of intent follows a thorough review of submissions to attract private developers for a public-private partnership to develop a first-in-class entertainment district spanning the Tennessee River north waterfront near historic Neyland Stadium.

Pending Tennessee State Building Commission approval to proceed with further planning development of the district, the current scheme highlights the project team’s conceptual design. Once the State Building Commission approves, the creation of specific designs and construction schedules can begin.

E&H accepted into full NCAA Division II membership

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Emory & Henry College will be a full NCAA Division II member in the upcoming 2024-25 academic year, NCAA officials announced earlier this month. The announcement was made following the completion of annual reporting by E&H and deliberation by the membership committee. College officials learned of the news on July 11 during a conference call with the NCAA.

Over the past three years of realignment from Division III to Division II, Emory & Henry has seen historic growth as an institution. Enrollment has reached unprecedented heights at both the undergraduate and graduate levels including significant increases in campus diversity. E&H has also made investments in its infrastructure with the construction and renovations of several residence halls, the renovation of Carriger Hall as the home of the School of Business, and the construction of the Food City Sports Complex at Interstate 81.

As a full Division II member, Emory & Henry will be eligible to receive automatic qualification to the NCAA tournament as the champion of the South Atlantic Conference or an at-large berth based on season-long competition as part of the Southeast Region. Additionally, E&H is now able to vote on Division II legislation and is eligible for Division II grants and programming.

Bucs announce 2024 Hall of Fame class

JOHNSON CITY — The East Tennessee State University Athletics Department announced its 2024 Hall of Fame class on Wednesday.

Four Buccaneers make up the 2024 class, which includes Shelli Clendenon (women’s track and field), Rhys Davies (men’s golf), Megan Devine (volleyball) and Courtney Pigram (men’s basketball). The ETSU Athletics Hall of Fame features 135 Buccaneers (including this year’s class) and was founded in 1976.

The Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Friday, Oct. 11, inside the ETSU Foundation Grand Hall at the Martin Center. Tickets to the ceremony are $30 and can be purchased online at ETSUTickets.com. For more information on Buccaneer Athletics, visit ETSUBucs.com.

Carson-Newman seeking HOF nominees

JEFFERSON CITY — The nomination cycle for the next class for the Carson-Newman Athletics Hall of Fame will close Aug. 1.

Carson-Newman’s next induction ceremony is set for January 2025 with Aubrey Morrison (2009), cross country; Julie Nelson (2007), women’s soccer; Chuck Profitt (1992), football; Dan Redding (1991-2020), assistant football coach; and Dwight Wilson (1984), football; entering the hall.

Nominations received by Aug. 1 would be under consideration for the class inducted in January 2026. Athletes concluding their C-N careers in May 2014 and earlier are now eligible for nomination. Nominations received after Aug. 1 will be set aside for the voting cycle for the class that is inducted in 2027.

The executive committee strongly recommends the nomination of deserving women. Currently, there are only three active nominees from women’s sports at C-N.

Originally reserved exclusively for letter winners, nominations are now open to those who have played an official sport across the institution’s history and are 10 years removed from the conclusion of their Carson-Newman career. In 1994, membership was likewise opened to those who invested their lives in leading or promoting C-N sports. Coaches Dick Campbell (basketball) and Bobby Wilson (baseball) were inducted the following year.

Space has been reserved in this Hall for those whose stories continue to speak to sports excellence and whose lives continue to share the Truth, Beauty and Goodness on which a Carson-Newman education and athletic experience are based. Visit cneagles.com for more details.