Belmont University | FYI


December 12, 2008

BELMONT NEWS


Athletics Announces Hall of Fame Inductees
Belmont University Athletics announced Thursday the names of its 2008 Belmont Athletic Hall of Fame induction class.

Temp Sparkman (’55) was one of the founding fathers of Belmont Basketball. A starter and key contributor on Belmont’s first team in 1952-53, Sparkman was named all conference on the 1955 Volunteer State Athletic Conference (VSAC) Championship team that advanced to the program’s first NAIA District Tournament. Nearly a career double figure scorer from the guard position, Sparkman was a team captain and regular set-up man for All-American post player, Robert Barnes. But Sparkman’s accomplishments and contributions extend far beyond the hardwood, and in large order serve as a microcosm of the spirit of the university itself. After graduating from Belmont with honors, Sparkman became minister and professor of theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. From there, he served as graduate professor within the University of Kansas’s School of Education. Author of numerous renowned publications on faith and discipleship, Sparkman is currently penning a book on Belmont’s inaugural basketball team.

Sherry Tegarden Flecksteiner (’99) stands among the greatest softball players in Belmont history. Both a distinguished hitter and pitcher, Tegarden Flecksteiner virtually rewrote the Bruin record book. She ranks first in career runs scored (128) and NCAA Division-I era pitching victories (11), and she ranks second in career hits (166), triples (15) and stolen bases (49). Also the standard bearer for a myriad of single-season records, Tegarden Flecksteiner ranks in the Top 4 all-time at Belmont in a staggering 13 categories. But perhaps most noteworthy, this versatile performer was the steadying force in transitioning the Bruin program from NAIA to NCAA Division-I play.

The two honorees will be formally inducted as part of a banquet on Fri., Feb. 27 at 6:30 p.m. in the Maddox Grand Atrium of the Curb Event Center.

Tickets are $25 per person. For reservations, contact Debbie Chenoweth at (615) 460-6854.

The Belmont University Athletic Hall of Fame was established in 1980 by Belmont University Athletics. The Athletic Hall of Fame recognizes and honors those individuals who have made exceptional contributions to the achievements and prestige of Belmont University and its intercollegiate athletic program. To be nominated, an individual must have completed his or her athletic eligibility at least seven years prior.

Fisher Nominated for Tennessean of the Year
Fisher4.jpgBelmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher was nominated this week for 2008 Tennessean of the Year by The Tennessean.

The newspaper pointed to the 2008 Town Hall Presidential Debate and how the event brought a national spotlight to Nashville as part of the reasoning behind his nomination. In addition, the article noted, "Fisher has raised Belmont's profile since his arrival in 2000, increasing enrollment from 3,000 to 5,000 students, launching nursing and pharmacy programs, and working with recording-industry mogul Mike Curb to build the state-of-the-art Curb Event Center, site of the debate."

Other nominees include the Fisk Jubilee Singers, which was awarded a National Medal of Arts this year; Dr. James Hildreth, a Meharry faculty member who announced a potential breakthrough in the battle against AIDS; Jennifer A. Pietenpol, the director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center who was recently appointed to a six-year term on the National Cancer Advisory Board; and Pat Summit, head coach of the University of Tennessee women's basketball team who led the Lady Vols to a second consecutive national championship in the 2007-08 season.

Click here to read the article. To support a nominee, readers are encouraged to email their selection and reasons why to letters@tennessean.com. The winner will be announced in the paper's Issues section on Dec. 28.


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