Tech Sports Hall of Fame inducts four new members

A crowd of 400, including many current student-athletes and a dozen members of the Hall of Fame, recognized the induction of Kenneth Fults, Janet Holt-Baker, Randy Smith and Grant Swallows into the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame Nov. 2.
“The highest honor that Tennessee Tech Athletics can bestow upon former student-athletes, coaches, staff and friends is induction into the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame,” Mark Wilson, athletics director, said. “Four very deserving individuals were inducted this past weekend that highlight the rich traditions of athletics at Tennessee Tech.”
Frank Harrell, associate director of athletics, said, “The Sports Hall of Fame Committee is appointed by the president and includes alumni, former student-athlete alumni, faculty and staff from TTU and student representation. The Hall of Fame Committee operates under policies developed by the TTU Athletics Committee, which is also appointed by the president. Both are standing committees of the University. Inductions are held each year as part of the Homecoming festivities.”
This year marked the 38th annual induction ceremony for Tech sports. A Hall of Fame dinner was held Nov. 2 to present the honorees with their plaques of achievement. The inductees were also recognized at halftime during the Homecoming game Nov. 3 at Tucker Stadium.
“I am always so proud of the nominees,” Harrell said. “We have a rich history of great student-athletes in many sports now.”
According to TTUSports.com, Kenneth Fults was an All-American on the Golden Eagle football team that won four consecutive Ohio Valley Conference championships from 1958 to 1961.
Janet Holt-Baker was the OVC Player of the Year, team MVP and Academic All-America selection during her playing career on the women’s basketball team from 1998 to 2002.
Grant Swallows was also an Academic All-America pick and set numerous school records as the quarterback of the Golden Eagle football team from 1998 to 2001.
Randy Smith, a member of the tennis team in the ’60s, returned to his alma mater to coach the men’s and women’s tennis teams for nearly 20 years and also served as a senior administrator in the athletics department.
Harrell said each year, the Hall of Fame selection committee seeks names of nominees from the public. This list is supplemented by the Hall of Fame Nominating Committee. The deadline for submitting names for nomination each year is June 30.
For information on nominating someone, please contact Mandy Thatcher at (931) 372-3949.