University of Tennessee Athletics
COACH RAY MEARS AND VOICE OF THE VOLS JOHN WARD TO BE HONORED AT KENTUCKY GAME
February 27, 2006 | Men's Basketball
Feb. 27, 2006
 Ray Mears |
 John Ward |
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Former Tennessee basketball coach Ray Mears and Vol Network announcer John Ward will be honored at halftime of the Kentucky game Wednesday, March 1, at Thompson-Boling Arena. University of Tennessee Director of Athletics Mike Hamilton announced Monday that banners will be hung from the rafters in the arena to recognize Coach Mears and Ward for their contributions and years of service to the Tennessee basketball program.
Mears was the head coach at Tennessee from 1963-1977 and is the winningest coach in school history. His record in 15 seasons was 278-112 for a .713 winning percentage. Under Mears' direction, Tennessee made seven postseason appearances. The Vols made three NCAA Tournament appearances, two National Invitation Tournament showings and participated in the now discontinued Collegiate Commissioners Association meet. Nine of his players went on to earn All-America honors, including three-time first team All-America Bernard King and two-time first team pick Ernie Grunfeld, perhaps the most famous duo in Tennessee history. The two-time Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year (1967 and 1977) saw one of his players named the SEC Player of the Year four times.
Ward became the Tennessee basketball announcer in 1965 when games were broadcast on only one Knoxville radio station. Under his direction, the Vol Network grew to over 50 stations in basketball. Ward called Tennessee basketball from 1965 through the 1999 season. In 1976 he was named the best college announcer in the nation and 28 times he was named Sportscaster of the Year in Tennessee.
