Nashville Sounds manager Rick Sweet now 7th on minor league wins list
Nashville Sounds manager Rick Sweet is climbing the list for most all-time wins in minor league baseball.
Sweet moved ahead of former Nashville Vols manager Larry Gilbert at seventh on the list in a 17-7 win over the Louisville Bats on Sunday at First Horizon Park.
Sweet, 69, began his career in 1987 and currently has 2,130 victories. Gilbert, who managed the Vols from 1939-49 and spent a total of 25 years as a manager, had 2,128 wins. Gilbert, who was also part-owner of the Nashville franchise, is in the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
Next on the list ahead of Sweet at sixth is Spencer Abbott with 2,180 wins. His career spanned 1903-47. Johnny Lipon (1959-92) is fifth with 2,185 wins.
The all-time leader is Stan Wasiak (1950-86) with 2,530 wins.
BIG CROWDS:How the Nashville Sounds moved to second in Minor League Baseball attendance
JOY OF THE GAME:David Dahl, former MLB All-Star, trying to rediscover joy of the game in Nashville | Estes
Sweet began his second stint with the Sounds in 2021. He also managed the team in 2014.
Sweet is also seventh on the Sounds’ all-time wins list with 176. He has the chance to move to fifth soon with Stump Merrill (1980-81) at sixth with 178 and Peter Mackanin (1990-92) at fifth with 186.
The Sounds all-time leader is Trent Jewett with 320. Jewett also had two stints in Nashville — 1998-2000 and 2003-04.
The Sounds are 29-12 heading into a six-game series beginning Tuesday at Toledo. They are in fist place in the International League East standings.
TSU’s Roar City Tour returns in June
The Tennessee State Roar City Tour hits the road in June with stops in Nashville, Atlanta and Memphis.
The tour was canceled in 2021 because of COVID-19.
Joining TSU athletics director Mikki Allen at each stop will be football coach eddie george and members of his staff, men’s basketball coach Brian “Penny” Collinswomen’s basketball coach Ty Evans and director of track and field Chandra Cheeseboro-Guice.
“TSU has an incredibly passionate and loyal fan base,” Allen said. “This annual tour provides a great opportunity for our coaches and athletic staff to interact with alumni, fans, and former players in a meaningful way.”
The Nashville stop is June 16 (5:30-8:30 pm) at TSU’s downtown Avon-Williams Campus at 330 10th Ave. S. in the atrium.
The Atlanta stop is June 21 (4:30-7:30 pm) at White Label Creative Space, 2997 Cumberland Blvd. SE.
The Memphis stop is June 23 (5:30-7:30 pm) at Southbrook Town Center, 1212 E. Shelby Drive.
Allen said the tour will expand to other cities in the future.
Music City Grand Prix needs volunteers
Volunteers are needed for the 2022 Big Machine Music City Grand Prix featuring the IndyCar Series. The event is Aug. 4-7 in downtown Nashville.
The Nashville Sports Council is looking for volunteers to help with assisting fans, drivers and race officials.
Volunteers must be 16.
The registration fee to volunteer is $50 and covers the cost of uniforms. Volunteers also receive parking, transportation and meals during their shifts.
To register or for more information email [email protected] or visit Nashville Sports.com.
Belmont great Kerron Johnson joins Bruins staff
Former Belmont basketball standout Kerron Johnson has joined the Bruins’ coaching staff.
Johnson, who played from 2010-13, was named director of basketball operations to replace Mick Hedgepethwho was hired as the coach at Berry College.
Johnson, a point guard who spent the last nine seasons playing professionally in Germany, is one of the most decorated players in Belmont history.
He was named most valuable player in two conference tournaments – Atlantic Sun 2012 and OVC 2013.
Johnson led Belmont to conference championships in four consecutive seasons, including trips to the NCAA tournament in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
He ranks among Belmont’s career leaders in points (1,388), assists (515), steals (206) and free throws made (511).
Johnson was inducted into the Belmont Athletic Hall of Fame in 2021.
Missouri basketball’s Durugordon transferring to Austin Peay
Sean Durugordonwho spent part of his freshman season on the Missouri basketball team, is transferring to Austin Peay.
The 6-foot-5 forward from Queens, New York, played in 12 games at Missouri before entering the transfer portal in January. I have scored a total of nine points.
Durugordon was a three-star prospect who also had offers from Arizona State, Auburn and Seton Hall.
Peggy Williams, a member of TSU’s first track team, dies at 98
Peggy-Williamsa Pearl High graduate and member of TSU’s first women’s track team, died on May 9. She was 98.
Williams was featured in the book “A Will To Win” about TSU’s athletic history for being one of seven females in 1943 who responded to a sign on a bulletin board in the school’s auditorium she said invited, “any girls” who wanted to come out for track to show up and bring shorts, a T-shirt and tennis shoes.”
The sign had been placed there by Jessie Abbottwho TSU president Walter S Davis had hired to start the women’s track team.
Williams later spent 39 years at TSU as associate professor of health, physical education and recreation.
Austin Peay’s Alexander up for national catcher of the year award
Austin Peay senior catcher Jack Alexandera transfer from Notre Dame, was named a semifinalist for the Buster Posey National College Catcher of the Year award.
Alexander is the first Austin Peay catcher to be a semifinalist for the award.
Finalists will be announced June 7 and a final vote among the national committee will come during the College World Series.
Alexander, who transferred to Austin Peay in 2021, caught 401.1 of the team’s 472.1 innings pitched in the regular season. He caught 23 runners stealing and was part of seven double plays.
Alexander also was Austin Peay’s offensive leader with a .348 batting average, 13 home runs, and 54 RBIs.
Jason Foundation rebrands golf tournament
The Jason Foundation rebranded its annual golf tournament fundraiser the Philip Fulmer and Chuck McDowell Golf Classic.
The tournament, previously the Phillip Fulmer and charlie daniels Golf Classic, will continue to honor Daniels who died in 2020.
The announcement coincides with May being Mental Health Awareness Month. The tournament will be played Aug. 30 at Hermitage Golf Course.
The tournament represents the largest and only annual fundraiser for the nationally recognized leader in suicide prevention.
Fulmer, a former Tennessee Vols football coach and athletics director, has maintained his role as national spokesperson for The Jason Foundation since 1998 and served as host for the tournament each year.
McDowell is the founder and CEO of Wesley Financial Group and Wesley Mortgage based in Middle Tennessee. He is an entrepreneur who has spent much of his career focused on providing services that positively impacted tens of thousands of families.
“Charlie was a staunch supporter of our mission and will always hold a special place in The Jason Foundation’s history,” said Clark Flatt, President of The Jason Foundation. “That being said, we look forward to energy and passion that Chuck brings. We plan on remembering Charlie, while creating a tournament that he would be proud of.”
To register for the tournament visit jasonfoundation.com.
TSU’S Durley signs with Winnipeg
Former TSU offensive tackle Cam Durley signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the Canadian Football League.
Durley, at 6-6, 320 pounds, transferred from Kansas in 2019. The Houston native was a three-year starter at TSU.
Durley played right and left tackle and made the All-OVC team in 2021.
He also performed well at the inaugural HBCU combine in January at South Alabama.
Also, former TSU defensive backs Cory Rahmann and Eddie Graham signed free agent deals with the USFL’s Michigan Panthers.
panthers coach Jeff Fisher, a former Tennessee Titans coach, spent last season as a senior advisor on TSU’s staff.
Rahman, who made the All-OVC second team, recently spent time at the Miami Dolphins minicamp.
Graham had 35 total tackles, two interceptions and broke up a team-high five passes.
Fisk adds gymnastics recruiting coordinator
New Fisk gymnastics coach Corinne Tarver hired India Anderson as her recruiting coordinator.
Anderson, who spent the last three seasons on the staff at Ursinus College, will also be the main coach for vault and floor exercises for the program which will have its inaugural season in 2023.
Anderson, a native of Allendale, South Carolina, competed at Temple, where she earned first team All-ECAC honors on the floor in 2019. As a senior co-captain she was named ECAC specialist of the year and was instrumental in leading the Owls to their first ECAC championship in program history.
Glencliff Golf Tournament in June
The 2022 Glencliff High Alumi Golf Outing is June 8 with a 10 am shotgun start at Nashboro Village Golf Course.
The cost is $75 per golfer and includes a cart and goodie bag.
Mail payments to Glencliff High School, 160 Antioch Pike, 37211, Attention, Alumni Golf Outing. Payments are due by June 1.
If you have an item for Midstate Chatter contact Mike Organ at 615-259-8021 or on Twitter @MikeOrganWriter.