Vanderbilt’s Toby Wilt, David Williams II Join Class Of 2022 TN Sports Hall of Fame Inductees

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The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame has announced Vanderbilt University’s Toby Wilt and the late David Williams II as the final inductees of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

Wilt, a football player and golfer at Vanderbilt, lettered from 1963-1965 as a running back on the Commodores football team before joining the Vanderbilt golf team. The Illinois native represented Vanderbilt at the SEC Championships during his senior season.

In 1991, Wilt co-founded the Golf Club of Tennessee in Kingston Springs, and in 1998 co-founded the Music City Bowl. However, Wilt may be best known for his role at the Masters’ Golf Tournament, serving as the official starter at the first tee since 2018.

Williams was the first Black athletics director in the SEC and the first Black Vice-Chancellor at Vanderbilt. During Williams’ 15 seasons overseeing Vanderbilt Athletics, the Commodores won 4 National Championships in baseball, bowling, and women’s tennis. He joined the Law faculty in 2000 when he began working in Vanderbilt administration as a vice-chancellor, general counsel, and secretary of the University.

In 2002, student affairs were added to his responsibilities, followed by Athletics in 2003. Over the final 13 years of his tenure, Vanderbilt student-athletes earned a cumulative 3.0 GPA every year. Williams announced his retirement in 2018 and unexpectedly passed away on Feb. 8, 2019.

“We’re thrilled to be able to honor two representatives of Vanderbilt University whose contributions will live on for generations,” says Brad Willis, Executive Director of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. “Their respective places in the Class of 2022 finalize our group of 12 inductees, and we are excited to honor them this July.”

Wilt and Williams join Titans star defensive end Jevon Kearse; Maryville College coaching legend Randy Lambert; Sharrieffa Barksdale, R.A. Dickey, Harry Galbreath, Nikki McCray-Penson, and Tony White from the University of Tennessee; Nashville Predators star David Legwand; Memphis football standout Artis Hicks; and Trevecca basketball legend David Suddeth as members of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022.

The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2022 Induction Banquet, presented by the Tennessee Titans, will be held on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Information regarding tables and individual tickets can be found at the Hall’s website.

Steven Boero
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