Eight new members were inducted into the TSSAA Hall of Fame at a luncheon in the Student Union Ballroom on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro on Monday, April 8, 2024. Those inducted in the 2024 class were: Bernard Childress, administrator from Murfreesboro; Phil Clark, coach from Bartlett; Glenn Falls, coach from Nashville; Joe Gaddis, coach from Oak Ridge; Jody Wright, coach from Clinton; Jerry McCarter, official from Powell; Steve Trussler, official from Manchester; and the late Chris Snoddy, contributor from Nashville.
Bernard Childress, a distinguished athletic administrator and former educator, served the TSSAA tirelessly before retiring in 2022. He joined the TSSAA office as an Assistant Executive Director in 1995 and became the Executive Director in 2009. Childress’ tenure with the TSSAA was marked by significant advances, including leading the association through the COVID-19 pandemic, overseeing significant technology projects, and working in partnership with the InsideOut Initiative.
Latest TN News
Phil Clark began his illustrious coaching career at Sky View Academy, Memphis, in 1980. He guided his teams to five state championships and seven state runner-up titles overall. Clark also served as the Athletic Director of Bartlett City Schools until his retirement in 2023.
Glenn Falls dedicated his entire career to nurturing talent in the Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools for six decades. He coached volleyball at Glencliff High School from 1979 until his retirement in 2021, leading the team to 21 consecutive district championships from 1983 to 2003. Falls also had a notable girls’ basketball coaching career from 1980 to 2004.
Joe Gaddis dedicated nearly half a century to coaching football, 39 years of which he served as head coach at seven schools. His teams achieved a career record of 334-146, including a state championship at Oak Ridge High School in 1991. Gaddis retired from coaching in 2021 but continued to serve as the Athletic Director at Oak Ridge High School.
Jody Wright, a true institution at Fulton High School in Knoxville, compiled over 800 victories during his 38-year tenure as head basketball coach. He led the team to 20 State Tournament appearances and seized the TSSAA State Championship four times. Wright has also served on the TSSAA Board of Control for 13 years.
Jerry McCarter began his illustrious career in sports officiating with the TSSAA in 1968. He spent 31 years as a basketball official and served as Supervisor in the Knoxville South Basketball Officials Association for more than 20 years. McCarter officiated numerous district, region, and sub-state tournament games, as well as three TSSAA state tournaments.
Steve Trussler had an illustrious career spanning over five decades with the TSSAA, officiating approximately 4,000 contests across various sports. He also served as the Athletic Director at Grundy Co. High School and was honored as the A. F. Bridges Athletic Director of the Year for Athletic District 3 in 2018.
Chris Snoddy served as the Head Athletic Trainer at Goodpasture Christian School for over 20 years, where he was associated with 11 TSSAA State championship teams. He also worked with Baptist Hospital’s Center for Sports Medicine, implementing a system to provide athletic trainers at all TSSAA state championship events. Snoddy received numerous awards throughout his career, including the TSSAA Distinguished Service Award in 2022.
Source: Read Original Release
MECC Employees Receive Promotions and Lifesavers Award
Three Murfreesboro Emergency Communications Center employees received promotions for their exceptional commitment, while another dispatcher was honored with a Lifesavers Award for assisting in saving the life of a one-year-old baby boy.