Back in 2000, Executive Director Scott Bullington and an event committee made up of board members welcomed former University of Tennessee football coach Johnny Majors to Greeneville to share his life experiences and help raise funds for the local Boys & Girls Club. Little did they know how much the event would grow or how many other UT coaches and athletes would eventually take the stage. Over the years, the list has included Ray Mears, Phillip Fulmer, Pat Summitt, Dale Ellis and Josh Dobbs, along with professional sports stars such as Mike Singletary and Dale Murphy.
This year’s event brought an added level of excitement. Not only did attendees welcome Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and Knoxville native Todd Helton as the guest speaker, but they also gathered inside the club’s new 27,000-square-foot Phil and Martha Bachman Center.
Approximately 350 members and guests were treated to a meet-and-greet session with Helton, providing opportunities to meet the former Colorado Rockies star, take photos and have memorabilia autographed. Following the reception, guests enjoyed a meal sponsored by Greeneville Federal Bank and prepared and served by Brumley’s Catering by Angeez.
After the meal, Bullington introduced Helton, along with Bob Kessling, who served as emcee for the remainder of the evening.
Helton, who competed at Knoxville Central High School, reflected on his life after high school and his decision to turn down a professional baseball contract after being drafted directly out of high school by the San Diego Padres.
“The guy flew from San Diego to Knoxville several times trying to get me to sign, and there were times that I almost did it. The biggest reason that I didn’t was my grandmother,” Helton recalled…