University of Tennessee Athletics
Dr. John Staley Assistant Coaches Waiting Area Dedicated
Nov. 24, 2003
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| From left: John Staley, Sr., Dr. John Staley, Jr., and Emily Staley. |
The newest addition to the "names" of Tennessee football is that of Knoxville doctor John Staley, Jr., who had his name engraved on the Assistant Coaches Waiting Area in the Neyland-Thompson Center Friday afternoon, owing to his contribution to the STEP UP campaign.
"It is exciting for us to have you and your family to be part of the expansion of this building and the improvement of all of our athletic facilities," Athletics Director Mike Hamilton said. "This is a high-profile site where we can honor you. We appreciate your generosity."
A 1974 Tennessee graduate in zoology and psychology and a 1980 UT Medical Center alum, Staley said he was an "adamant and die-hard graduate and fan, bordering on the fanatic." He said he remembered taking the 1966 loss to Alabama hard, the 11-10 decision in the rain when the Vols misfired on a last-second field goal that would have given the Vols a 13-11 win. Likewise with the 9-6 loss in 1990.
"My dad has had tickets since 1959 and we thought this area would be a good reminder of what it takes to be a competitive program," Staley said. " I was blessed to be able make this gift to the football program and to the athletic facilities. I wanted to show people I cared about the program. "
He mentioned his friendship with assistant athletics director Condredge Holloway from his days on "The Hill" and when they were part of the Huntsville Channel Cats hockey club.
"Condredge is good luck," he said. "We won the Central Hockey League when he came aboard and, when he came back to UT, we won the national championship."
Staley, who was joined by wife, Emily, and his dad, John Staley, Sr., is one of the owners of Team Health in West Knoxville, the largest physician staffing company for emergency medicine in the United States, managing 200-plus physicians in 25 hospitals.
STEP UP The Campaign for UT Athletic Facilities is a comprehensive capital campaign aimed at improving athletic facilities for 17 of the schoo's 20 men's and women's sports programs. For more information about STEP UP, contact Scott Rabenold or John Currie at (865) 974-1218.
