America’s Cup winner and former Atlanta Braves and Hawks owner Ted Turner will receive a special tribute at the Greater Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame induction banquet on Feb. 26.
The 79-year-old Turner will be represented by his son Rhett and his grandson – also Rhett, a McCallie School senior – at the 6:30 p.m. event at the Chattanooga Convention Center. They will accept the President’s Special Recognition for the champion yachtsman and innovative media tycoon who also attended McCallie and got his business start with his father’s Savannah-based billboard company that had a presence in Chattanooga.
Turner also did much of his early sailing out of Privateer Yacht Club, while attending McCallie and well into his adult years. When he later got into ocean racing, he took it to the ultimate with the “Courageous” America’s Cup triumph in 1977 and his “Tenacious” victory in the storm-blasted Fastnet race in 1979.
“The Chattanooga Sports Hall of Fame is thrilled to recognize and honor Mr. Ted Turner,” president Catherine Neely said. “Our Hall of Fame strives to honor the best in their field, and Mr. Turner certainly deserves the recognition because of the tremendous influence he has had in athletics not only locally but nationally and internationally. We are proud of him and delighted to honor him.”
Seventeen new inductees and six special award winners previously were announced for the banquet, and tickets will be available through next Monday by calling Neely at 423-842-7274. They cost $40.