December 9, 2024

Hall of Fame banquet set for April 4th

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. - The 23rd induction ceremony for the Carson-Newman Athletics Hall of Fame has been set for Friday, April 4 in the Stokely Memorial Building on Carson-Newman's campus.

Tickets are 50 dollars per person. Ticket holders are encouraged to arrive at 6 p.m. for an hour of fellowship and meet and greet with the inductees. The dinner and ceremony will follow at 7 p.m. The ticketing purchase link will be sent later this month when voting for the Hall of Fame class of 2026 is conducted.

The five scheduled to head in in 2025 are Aubrey Morris (2009), cross country; Julie Nelson (2007), women's soccer; Chuck Proffitt (1992), football; Dan Redding (1991-2020), football assistant coach; Dwight Wilson (1984), football.

Aubrey Morris, cross country (2009) – A three-time South Atlantic Conference Champion, three-time NCAA championship meet qualifier, three-time all-region selection and 2006 Southeast Region champion, Aubrey Morris Morrison is one of the most decorated cross country athletes in school history. She made a splash as soon as she arrived on campus, earning SAC Freshman of the Year honors in 2005. Morrison would wrap up her career earning All-SAC first team honors the final three years she was on the banks of Mossy Creek.

Julie Nelson, women's soccer (2007) – A two-time All-South Atlantic Conference selection, Nelson helped the Eagles to four NCAA tournaments, four SAC championships and two Final Fours in her time at C-N. At the time of nomination, she still ranks top-10 all-time in C-N history for career starts. She went on to a successful professional career and is Northern Ireland's record holder for career national team appearances.

Chuck Proffitt, football (1992) – Carson-Newman's all-time leader in interceptions at the time of his nomination, Chuck Proffitt was a two-time All-American defensive back and a member of the 1989 national championship-winning team. Proffitt also ranks 12th all-time in tackles and is fourth in career pass breakups. He was the South Atlantic Conference's Defensive Freshman of the Year in 1989 before earning first-team all-conference honors his final three years with the program. He has the longest interception return in Carson-Newman and South Atlantic Conference history.

Dan Redding, assistant football coach (1991-2020) – For nearly 30 years, Dan Redding roamed the sidelines as an assistant coach at Carson-Newman. During his tenures with the Eagles, Redding has coached lines that helped Carson-Newman win 13 South Atlantic Conference Championships and make 17 trips to the NCAA Division II or NAIA Playoffs as well as three national championship game berths. Linemen mentored under Redding include former San Francisco 49ers and Buffalo Bills defensive tackle Cedric Killings, Tennessee Titans defensive lineman Torrie Griffin and Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins defensive end Junior Glymph. Nose guard Steve Mellon was a two-time NCAA Division II All-American and Glymph was named to multiple All-American teams in 2003.

Dwight Wilson, football (1984) – Carson-Newman football's first All-America offensive lineman, Dwight Wilson was recognized for his efforts up front during Carson-Newman's 1983 national championship run. Wilson would help clear the way for the Eagles to rush for more than 3,000 yards in the final three years of his college career. He would block for four all-conference and two All-American running backs.

To nominate a former Carson-Newman athlete for the 2027 Hall of Fame, click here and fill out the nomination form. Individuals can only nominate two people in each nomination cycle. Nominations for the 2027 Hall of Fame close Aug. 1, 2025.

This year's class could balloon to eight. Former New England Patriot Todd Collins, Olympic Bronze Medalist wrestler Lazaro Reinoso and women's soccer All-American Rebecca Angus have been tabbed for induction in previous years, but have yet to be able to make a ceremony to be officially inducted into the Hall of Fame.