And our last day and evening in Knoxville has come to an end… This morning Mel, his sister’s family, Acacia and myself attended a brunch at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame for inductees. It was delicious, and some good exposure to southern cooking (minus the bagels, cream cheese, and lox – which Mel’s Jewish family was thrilled to see).
After breakfast, Jonathan, Acacia and I did some exploring of Knoxville and visited the West Hills Mall. Acacia and I needed purses and Jonathan needed a shirt – he found a good deal and bought seven. There was more exploration of the consumerist side of Knoxville when Jonathan and I made a futile attempt to visit a Verizon store to get my cell phone fixed. The part of my phone that plugs into the charger is broker and can’t be fixed, so I’m phoneless for a few days until I get home. Anyway, I digress…
The highlight of the day – and the trip – was the actual induction ceremony, held in the Tennessee Theater in downtown Knoxville.
The Tennessee Theater is a gorgeous old theater, beautifully decorated, and, I hear, recently renovated. It was great to visit it for that reason alone.
During the gala reception preceding the induction, there were hors d’ovres and a silent auction. Among the well-dressed guests we found some new friends, like Jay and Jackie Searcy, Will Ewart (faithfully photographing our entire trip), Randy Webb (a WBB HOF employee and basketball coach), some of Mel’s colleagues at the Inquirer, like Jim Jenks, Claire Smith and Maureen Meehan, and some of Mel’s other work acquaintances, like Mike Tuberosa and Larry Doughery, as well as Mel's sister, Annette, her husband, Barry, and their daughters, Neena and Allison. We also chatted with a few members of the large contingent of Georgia fans who made the trip up north to support coach And Landers, and a few women who suggested that Mel write a book – and assured us that they’d read it. We know “Mr. Women’s Basketball” has a lot to say, so we’re pitching that as his next project. After putting his end of the Hall of Fame Induction, not to mention the AP Poll together, we don’t doubt in Mel’s ability to achieve.
The induction ceremony was highlighted by a wonderful choir, the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame Choir, which Emcee Gloria Ray(longtime Tennessee resident and supporter of women’s basketball stepping in to replace Debbie Antonelli and Doris Burke, who were unable to come) assured us was quite competitive the crowd to get into – “ you have to be able to sing.”
Each inductee was first introduced to the crowd escorted down a grand staircase and then later by someone of their choice on video – Jody Conradt for Andrea, Leon Barmore for Pam, Pat Summitt for Daedra and Bridgette, and Bernadette Mattox for Andy. After another escort to the stage, the inductee was given a chance to make his/her thanks and discuss his/her journey to this point. All six of them had wonderful things to say, and moving speeches, and they all proved to have a great sense of humor.
We’ll discuss each inductee and the speeches more in-depth tomorrow; Jonathan also has some video and possibly some audio to put up and Acacia’s putting together some pictures. Right now, we’re heading down to the hotel bar to celebrate the night with Mel and the other inductees; early tomorrow morning we fly home. (Well, we hope to fly home. We’ve already met a few people who were either unable to get on a flight or lost their luggage due to airline complications this weekend). Check back soon for more details.
--Erin
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