Reese L. Smith, Jr. Award: Outstanding Contribution & Service Through Sports

The Reese L. Smith, Jr. Award is awarded annually to a Middle Tennessee individual who makes a difference in sports. Recipients are recognized for their achievement and community service through their participation as a player, coach, administrator, supporter, and overachiever. Recipients share a dedication, passion, and love for sports.

History of the Award

Established in 1992 by the Nashville Area Athletic Club and adopted by the Nashville Sports Council, the award was created in memory of the late Reese L. Smith, Jr. Reese was Chief Executive officer of Haury & Smith Contractors established in 1954. Smith was a former President of the Nashville-Middle Tennessee Homebuilders Association, board member of the Nashville Chamber of Commerce, Nashville Union Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, Mckendree Manor, among other community and college boards. Furthermore, he was an active member of Forest Hills Methodist Church.

Many Middle Tennessee developments bear the Haury & Smith trademark. River Plantation, River Rest, Brentwood Trace, Brentwood Pointe, Steeplechase Inns, as well as developments in Murfreesboro, Cookeville, Columbia, and Mt. Pleasant.

"Big Reese" as his friends referred to him by lettered in baseball, basketball, and football at Hillsboro High School in Nashville. He played football at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Reese was a member of the Nashville Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame and the MTSU Blue Raider Hall of Fame. Three athletic complexes bear his name: the MTSU baseball complex, the David Lipscomb High School athletic complex, and the Bellevue Little League and Babe Ruth Park. He was selected posthumously to the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1994.

In addition to being an owner of the Nashville Sounds Baseball Club (Currently Milwaukee Brewers AAA Affiliate) and 15 other minor league
ball teams, Smith was on the National Board of the Tennessee Walking Horse Breeders and Exhibitors Association. He retired the Show Pleasure
Championship Trophy with three consecutive victories aboard Ebony's Aristocrat. In 1990, he rode his champion mare, Miss Walking Miracle, to two world Championships.

He was married to the late Marcella Smith and survived by three sons Reese, III, Steve, and Mark. Smith's motto throughout life was "Let's
get on with it." Regardless of the task at hand, Reese L. Smith, Jr. always wanted to get on with it.

Award Nomination Process

Each year, all members of the Nashville Sports Council send in their nominations by mail, fax, e-mail, or through the Nashville Sports Council website, www.NashvilleSports.com

Nominees are compiled, reviewed, and approved by the Speakers Management Committee of the Nashville Sports Council as well as the Smith Family. Upon final approval, the award is presented during a Comcast Spotlight Sports Speaker Series Event to be determined by the committee and Smith Family.

Previous Winners:
1992 John Stanford
1993 Dr. Brant "Pinky" Lipscomb, Sr., M.D.
1994 Charles Davis
1995 Rick Byrd
1996 Ed Temple
1997 Joe Biddle & Rick Regen
1998 Ed Martin
1999 June Stewart
2000 James "Boots" Donnelly
2001 Charlie Anderson
2002 David Meador
2003 Teresa Phillips
2004 Charlie Hawkins
2005 Reggie Whittemore
2006 Jack Lavender

For questions about the award or to nominate an individual, contact the Nashville Sports Council at 615-743-3120 (phone), generalinfo@nashvillesports.com, or visit www.NashvilleSports.com to learn more about the Reese L. Smith, Jr. Award.