NASHVILLE, TN, March 12, 2007 — Titans quarterback Vince Young was named Sports Person of the Year at the 9th Annual O'Charley's Dinner of Champions Monday night at the Nashville Convention Center.
Young set nearly all rookie passing records for the Titans and led them to an 8-5 record. Young became the first NFL rookie quarterback to rush for more than 500 yards and was named the Associated Press NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He ended his season in Honolulu playing in the Pro Bowl.
"It means a whole lot accepting this award for my teammates," said Young. "We pulled together as a team and got 8-8, and we never thought we'd finish like that. Just to be back home in front of the beautiful people of Nashville feels good."
Attended by more than 750 people, the dinner honored the best in Middle Tennessee Sports.
“This event continues to be a hallmark opportunity for the Nashville Sports Council to recognize some amazing achievements in sports,” said Evette White, chair-Nashville Sports Council.
“We’re very proud of all of the deserving nominees and award winners for their achievements and commitment to excellence during the 2006 calendar year,” said Gregory Burns, chairman and chief executive officer, O’Charley’s, Inc.
Earl Bennett was named the Amateur Athlete of the Year. Bennett, a Vanderbilt sophomore, caught 82 passes for 1,146 yards and led the SEC in catches and became the first player in SEC history to catch more than 75 passes in two different seasons. Bennett was named to the 1st team all SEC by the Associated Press.
In a heartfelt moment, Tennessee Tech Men’s Head Basketball Coach Mike Sutton was presented with the Kaia Jergenson Courage Award. A special congratulatory video message was made from long-time friend and University of Kentucky Basketball Coach Tubby Smith. Coach Sutton is the recent recipient of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association Most Courageous Award and has battled back from Guillain-Barre Syndrome.
Bill Wade was named the Fred Russell Lifetime Achievement Award recipient. Mr. Wade was an All-City athlete in football and baseball at Montgomery Bell Academy and later went on to Vanderbilt University where he was named the SEC Player of the Year setting school passing records. The Los Angeles Rams selected Mr. Wade as the #1 Draft Pick in 1952 and he played seven seasons before joining the Chicago Bears. Mr. Wade played thirteen years in the NFL and was a Pro-Bowl selection twice along with being an inaugural inductee into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1966.
The High School Athletics Award was presented to Independence High School Cross Country standout Kathy Kroeger. Kathy has won three state championships in track and cross country and has won a National Championship in cross country. Kathy is the first female in Tennessee to break the 17-minute mark and won the Foot Locker Cross Country National Championship in San Diego.
Smyrna High School received the High School Team Athletics Award for winning the 5A State Football Championship by defeating Ravenwood 35-14. Smyrna capped off an incredible year by upsetting Riverdale High School for the first time in school history during the quarterfinals.
Ken Buck was awarded the Volunteer of the Year by the Nashville Sports Council. Mr. Buck has volunteered and been a fixture during Nashville Sports Council events for more than a decade. Mr. Buck cites meeting Larry Bird during an NBA Exhibition in Nashville as his favorite volunteering memory.
A new youth initiative, as part of the Nashville Sports Council’s five-year strategic plan, called the Good Sports Program was introduced. The Good Sports Program is a newly created legacy opportunity where Middle Tennessee youth can participate with Nashville Sports Council events with a focus on education, health/wellness, volunteerism, sportsmanship, youth participation, and leadership. As part of the Good Sports Program, the Nashville Sports Council, through its Foundation, awarded scholarships to Rachel Phillips of Martin Luther King Magnet High School and Joey Beach of Cheatham County Central High School. Rachel is team captain of her soccer and softball teams and Joey was the Mid-State’s leading receiver and is co-captain of his soccer football, basketball, and tennis team. The two were awarded scholarships for their athletic, academic, and community achievements.
The O’Charley’s Dinner of Champions was created in 1999 and is Nashville’s sports awards event saluting amateur and professional sports in Middle Tennessee.