Tennessee basketball coach declared to North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame rick barnes Has been selected as a member of its inductive class of 2023. A native of Hickory, North Carolina, Barnes graduated from Lenoir Lane University in his hometown.
Joining Barnes in the Class of 2023 are Jason Brown, Jeff Davis, Donald Evans, Tom Fazio, Alan Griffin, Tom Higgins, Clarks Don Hines, Bob “Stonewall” Jackson, Trudy Lacy, Ronald Rogers, John Sadry, Jerry Stackhouse, Curtis Strange and Rosie Thompson. Their planned inauguration brings the hall’s inaugural total to 400 people.
“Candy and I have always been proud to have been born and raised in Hickory, North Carolina,” Barnes said. “Growing up in it, we know so much about the state’s incredible sports traditions and history. The North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame is a ‘Who’s Who’ of legends — many of whom I respect.
“Most of the credit for being chosen as a coach goes to having a great staff around me throughout my career and having great players.”
Barnes will be enshrined at the 59th annual inaugural ceremony at the Raleigh Convention Center on Friday, April 21 at 7 p.m. ET. Earlier in the day, there will be a press conference at the Convention Center at 2:00 pm ET.
“This year’s class inducted into the North Carolina Sports Hall of Fame once again reflects the diversity and rich athletic heritage that the Hall of Fame highlights for our state,” said Hall of Fame Board of Trustees Chairman Dr. Jerry McGee. “This team and their collective accomplishments in specific areas, from great athletes to highly successful coaches to exceptional contributors, create another exciting chapter for the Hall. We are extremely excited to honor these in our Induction Celebration Outstanding individual.”
Barnes has established himself as one of the most successful college basketball coaches in the nation. Before taking over Tennessee in 2015, Barnes served as head coach at George Mason, Providence, Clemson and Texas.
His 770 career Division I victories rank sixth among active managers, at 16day all day. Barnes led three different programs to the Sweet Sixteen and led two programs — Texas and Tennessee — to No. 1 in the country.
Barnes named Naismith National Coach of the Year in 2019 after leading Tennessee
A school-record 31 victories and four weeks topping the national polls.
Over the years, he and his wife, Candy, also a Hickory native, have made significant philanthropic contributions in their hometown, including long-term support of the Catawba Valley YMCA, Young Life Hickory, East Hickory Church, Hickory High School and Lenoir-Rhyne University.
