We can't close out another fast-moving calendar year without belated congratulations to three special and, yes, wise men whose ultra-productive longevity in area sports roles was recognized in significant ways since this school year began.
The NAIA announced in September that 37-year Tennessee Wesleyan coach and administrator Stan Harrison is being inducted into the national association's Hall of Fame this coming spring.
Not long before that, Lee University named its beautiful new baseball venue for its 24th-year athletic director - and former star basketball player and successful coach - and the press box at Larry Carpenter Stadium at Olympic Field was named for longtime Lee sports information director and "Voice of the Flames" George Starr.
Whoever's working a Flames game, there always will be Starr recognition at "the Carp."
Harrison certainly could be going into the NAIA hall as a women's basketball coach - he came from a Knoxville middle school and directed more than 500 Lady Bulldogs wins and nine league championships in that sport in 24 years - but his "meritorious service" label better fits the incredible breadth of his exemplary work at the Athens campus and conference and national levels. He has served as Wesleyan's dean of students, athletic director, vice president of enrollment services and even interim president, and in addition to basketball he has coached golf, tennis and baseball there.
He has been the women's golf coach since 2006 and been successful with that also, with multiple conference titles and national tournament appearances.
Harrison also been an NAIA athletic director of the year and a Charles Morris administrator of the year, and he has been on several national councils and committees - and chaired a few. He was the first chair of the NAIA's National Administration Council in 2008-09.
"Stan's entrance into the NAIA Hall of Fame is a direct result of his ability to lead and serve. He's been an ambassador for Tennessee Wesleyan University and the NAIA throughout his career, and his ability to provide sound advice and guidance has made Stan one of the most influential athletic administrators in the NAIA," TWU athletic director Donny Mayfield said in a web post at the time of the announcement.
Larry Carpenter / Contributed file photoCarpenter, who also was an NAIA national AD of the year - and a president of its AD association - before Lee moved to NCAA Division II, has five decades invested in the Cleveland school, where he was a two-time All-American. From 1976 until 1992 he was instrumental in the basketball progam's success as an assistant coach while working at an area chemical company. He went full-time with Lee as the head coach from 1993 until 1999, winning a Christian college national title in 1994, and became the AD in 1995.
Carpenter's experience as a player and a coach, his love for Lee and his gentlemanly personality have served the Flames and Lady Flames well, and he obviously has worked well with Lee's visionary and sports-minded president, Dr. Paul Conn.
At the ceremony naming the stadium for Carpenter, Conn said, "He is a gifted leader that while fiercely competitive has struck the right balance of helping create a culture of excellence within our athletic department in all areas of student life. When you think of Lee athletics you think of Larry Carpenter, and so it is fitting that his name should be associated with this beautiful new facility."
And baseball coach Mark Brew said, "Coach Carpenter always has your back and is always positive and pushing us as coaches to be the best we can be. We are fortunate to work for not only a great athletic director, but a great person."
Starr covered Lee athletics for many years for the Cleveland Daily Banner and the Chattanooga News-Free Press, and he did radio play-by-play for Lee even before becoming its SID. He's called men's basketball games for 35 years, women's games also for 30 and baseball for 20. Since his retirement as sports information director, he's still been a busy sports information "doer," handling a lot of event previews, postgame releases, athlete feature stories, volleyball live-streaming and more in addition to his broadcast work.
"I have often referred to George as the hardest working man on the campus of Lee University," Conn said at the stadium and press-box ceremony. "For over 35 years he has served the athletic department with excellence in writing, broadcasting and media coverage for our programs. George never stopped until the job was done. His work ethic and drive has and continues to inspire me."
The three honored men are integral parts of the TWU and Lee "families," and they also are exceptional family men who have benefited from special support by their wives: Debbie Harrison, Cheri Carpenter and Joyce Starr.
Here's hoping that these blessings for them from 2019 continue through the new year and beyond.
Contact Ron Bush at rbush@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6291.