University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Athletics Mourns the Passing of Bud Fields
April 13, 2020 | Volleyball
Arthur L. "Bud" Fields Jr., a member of the University of Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame and one of the forefathers of Tennessee volleyball, passed away Friday, April 10. He was 87.
Fields started a men's club volleyball team at UT in 1967. When Tennessee added women's volleyball as an NCAA varsity program a decade later, he was the program's head coach and led the Lady Vols for two seasons in 1977 and 1978.
Field's 1977 squad placed first in the state and fourth in Region II. The following year, his Lady Vols went 20-14-3 and finished second in the state.
He continued to coach UT's men's club program for several more years.
Senior Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator Angie Boyd Keck is the longtime sport administrator for Tennessee volleyball.
"Bud Fields championed the sport of volleyball and played a key role in bringing it to the University of Tennessee," Keck said. "I've heard many stories over the years about how much the students he coached and influenced loved him. He created a very meaningful legacy, and Tennessee Athletics sends its condolences to his family and all those he impacted."
Fields impact on the sport of volleyball extended far beyond East Tennessee, as he became well known and respected in volleyball circles nationally. He even successfully spearheaded efforts to bring multiple United State Volleyball Association tournaments and events to Knoxville.
In 1997, the USVBA presented Fields with its prestigious Frier Award, the organization's top honor bestowed on an individual for lifetime achievements.
Shortly thereafter, in 2000, USA Volleyball selected Fields for its Kennedy/Johnson Heritage Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to the planning, collection, storage, retrieval and management of volleyball archival materials and documents. He served as one of USA Volleyball's official photographers for many years.
In addition to his selection to the University of Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011 (then known as the Lady Vols Hall of Fame), Fields also was inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame (2003) and the YMCA Hall of Fame (2003).
Fields served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.
Knoxville's Rose Mortuary is handling arrangements, and online condolences can be offered at www.rosemortuary.com.
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Fields started a men's club volleyball team at UT in 1967. When Tennessee added women's volleyball as an NCAA varsity program a decade later, he was the program's head coach and led the Lady Vols for two seasons in 1977 and 1978.
Field's 1977 squad placed first in the state and fourth in Region II. The following year, his Lady Vols went 20-14-3 and finished second in the state.
He continued to coach UT's men's club program for several more years.
Senior Associate Athletics Director/Senior Woman Administrator Angie Boyd Keck is the longtime sport administrator for Tennessee volleyball.
"Bud Fields championed the sport of volleyball and played a key role in bringing it to the University of Tennessee," Keck said. "I've heard many stories over the years about how much the students he coached and influenced loved him. He created a very meaningful legacy, and Tennessee Athletics sends its condolences to his family and all those he impacted."
Fields impact on the sport of volleyball extended far beyond East Tennessee, as he became well known and respected in volleyball circles nationally. He even successfully spearheaded efforts to bring multiple United State Volleyball Association tournaments and events to Knoxville.
In 1997, the USVBA presented Fields with its prestigious Frier Award, the organization's top honor bestowed on an individual for lifetime achievements.
Shortly thereafter, in 2000, USA Volleyball selected Fields for its Kennedy/Johnson Heritage Award, which recognizes individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to the planning, collection, storage, retrieval and management of volleyball archival materials and documents. He served as one of USA Volleyball's official photographers for many years.
In addition to his selection to the University of Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2011 (then known as the Lady Vols Hall of Fame), Fields also was inducted into the Greater Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame (2003) and the YMCA Hall of Fame (2003).
Fields served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War.
Knoxville's Rose Mortuary is handling arrangements, and online condolences can be offered at www.rosemortuary.com.
One of the most influential volleyball minds I ever had the pleasure of knowing. Having this man as a mentor and essentially a grandfather made me a better player and overall human. Bud's legacy is one that I'll remember for a lifetime. You'll be missed, Bud. https://t.co/IyopZGF6zV
— Lily (@Lily_Felts) April 13, 2020
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