June 13, 2003

Lexington, KY – Kentucky women’s basketball coach Mickie DeMoss has been selected as the “Thanks for the Memories” special award recipient in association with the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame in Knoxville, Tenn.

DeMoss joined UK in March after spending 18 seasons as the top assistant at Tennessee under legendary coach Pat Summitt. She became one of the most highly visible assistant coaches in the game and helped the Lady Volunteers compile an impressive 554-77 (.878) record, an unprecedented six NCAA championship titles and 13 Final Four appearances.

“Mickie is a friend of ours and in my opinion Kentucky hiring her was one of the best moves that it could have possibly made,” past chairman and founder of the Knoxville Hall of Fame Buck Vaughn said. “I know she will put women’s basketball on the map at Kentucky. The Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame is one of the largest attended Hall of Fames in the United States. Having Mickie as a special award recipient is a tremendous honor and we are so thankful for everything she helped the Lady Vols accomplish over the years.”

The 22nd annual Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame dinner & induction ceremony will be held on Thursday, Aug. 7 at the Knoxville Convention Center. CBS sportscaster Greg Gumbel will be the keynote speaker. Last season, the prestigious event raised in excess of $175,000 for the Tennessee Valley Boys & Girls Clubs and played host to a record 1,200 people in attendance.

“The city of Knoxville and the University of Tennessee have been very special in my life,” DeMoss said. “UT holds a special place in my heart with so many friends and great memories there. It is a tremendous honor to receive this award and I appreciate the Hall of Fame for thinking of me.”

DeMoss is the 15th recipient of the “Thanks for the Memories” award since its inception in 1994.