The 2015 TSSAA Hall of Fame inductees have been selected and former Brentwood Academy track and field coach Charlie Harper is amongst the eight new members.
A longtime track and field and cross country coach at Brentwood Academy, Harper compiled 13 boys track and field state championships, three boys cross country state championships, and two girls state track and field state championships. He coached several individuals to TSSAA state championships as well over his 40-year coaching career.
Congratulations Coach Charlie Harper, named to the 2015 TSSAA Hall of Fame! #legend @tssaa @BAcctrack pic.twitter.com/VMlJDoTPXi
— Brentwood Academy (@baeagles) February 11, 2015
Others being inducted at this year’s luncheon are: Dan Black, administrator from Bradford; the late V. F. Goddard, administrator from Alcoa; Bob Edens, coach from Lewisburg; Ernie Smith, coach from Nashville; Doug Dennett, official from Hixson; James Herbert, official from Memphis; and Wanda Belt, contributor from Madison.
The Hall of Fame luncheon will begin at 11 a.m. on April 18. The luncheon is to not only honor the new inductees and their families, but to honor all past inductees into the TSSAA Hall of Fame. Tickets will go on sale on March 9. You may purchase the tickets at $25 each by visiting www.tssaa.org. There will be no ticket sales at the door.
About the other inductees:
Dan Black— Administrator and coach for over 40 years in West Tennessee. Head boys basketball coach for 16 years at Maury City, Ripley, and Crockett County high schools. Athletic director for nearly 30 years and principal for 14 before taking over as superintendent of the Bradford Special Schools District, a position he has held since 2007. Has served on the TSSAA Legislative Council since 2000, serving as vice-president for four years before becoming President in 2009.
The late V. F. Goddard— Superintendent of Alcoa Schools for 33 years, beginning in 1924. Served on the TSSAA Board of Control for 23 years (1935 – 1957), seven of them as president. He was very instrumental in the hiring of the TSSAA’s first executive director, Mr. A. F. Bridges. Helped create the Alcoa High School football program in 1924, and the field is named in his honor.
Bob Edens— Spent over 20 years as football coach at Marshall County High School. Overall record of 169-79 and won 1984 TSSAA State Championship. The field house at Marshall County was dedicated in his honor. Retired from coaching in 1999, and in 2001 he became the Principal of Cornersville High School, where he retired after the 2013-14 school year.
Ernie Smith— Currently in his 38th year as head baseball and girls basketball coach at Lipscomb Academy. Has captured seven TSSAA state baseball championships and one girls basketball state title. Has over 800 wins in both sports, with 865 in baseball and over 870 in basketball.
Doug Dennett— Involved with TSSAA for over three decades as a track and field and cross country official. Has worked countless events in the Chattanooga area, and has received numerous awards for his efforts at both the local and state level. Has officiated in a number of TSSAA State Championships in both track and field and cross country.
James Herbert— A registered TSSAA official in football and baseball for over 50 years. Has worked at least two TSSAA State Football championships, and about a dozen TSSAA State Baseball championships. Has served as a baseball supervisor for the past 20 years in the Memphis/Shelby County area, and was a member of the Mid-South Football Officials Association as well.
Wanda Belt— Worked at the TSSAA office for over 20 years as the qssistant to two of the association’s executive directors. Handled eligibility questions and transfer students, worked ticket office at state basketball tournaments, Spring Fling headquarters, and worked with the TSSAA Hall of Fame for many years. Served as the office manager and helped lead the staff in its daily operations.
