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A Resolution honoring retired Tennessee State University Athletics Director Teresa Phillips.
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WHEREAS, in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Title IX on June 23, 2022, the Metropolitan Council desires to recognize Nashvillians who have made not only a significant and long-lasting impact as an athlete, but have also opened doors, removed barriers, and encouraged participation in sports for girls and women; and
WHEREAS, Chattanooga native Teresa Phillips developed a love for the game of basketball while playing at Chattanooga Girls Preparatory School; and
WHEREAS, Phillips went on to earn an academic scholarship to Vanderbilt University, win three letters as a member of the women’s basketball program, was the first black, female student-athlete at Vanderbilt, and in 1980, was named Lady Commodore Athlete of the Year and won the Nashville Civitan’s Sportsmanship Award; and
WHEREAS, after graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and working in corporate America, Phillips was recruited to return to Vanderbilt as a part-time assistant women’s basketball coach where she served from 1981-1984, and helped her alma mater win the National Invitational Tournament (NIT) in 1984; and
WHEREAS, in 1984, Phillips was hired as the head coach of women’s basketball at Fisk University, amassing a record of 62-38 in five years, winning two Women’s Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles, and was named WIAC Coach of the Year twice; and
WHEREAS, Phillips served Tennessee State University as head coach of women’s basketball from 1989-2000, guiding the team to back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) regular season and tournament championships in 1993-1994 and 1994-1995, and led the 1993-1994 squad to its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance; and
WHEREAS, Phillips received the USA Today National Coach of the Year in 1990, received OVC Coach of the Year honors three times, and won 144 games as head coach. She notably earned her master’s degree in Education from TSU in 1999 during her career as head coach; and
WHEREAS, Phillips was named Tennessee State University’s Director of Athletics in 2002, a tenure that saw the university win 12 OVC Championships - five indoor track and field championships, three outdoor track and field championships, two volleyball titles, and one women’s basketball championship; and
WHEREAS, Phillips faithfully served TSU for 31 years as a coach, administrator, and Director of Athletics before retiring in 2020, became the first woman to coach an NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball game in 2003, was named one of the “101 Most Influential Minorities in Sports” by ESPN that same year, was named as a one of the Elite Eight Legends in Women’s Basketball in Tennessee during the 2014 NCAA Women’s Final Four, was inducted into the Vanderbilt Hall of Fame in 2017, and inducted into the Ohio Valley Conference Hall of Fame in 2021; and
WHEREAS, it is fitting and proper that the Metropolitan Council goes on record as honoring and recognizing Teresa Phillips for her contributions to women’s sports at the local, state, and national levels.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE METROPOLITAN GOVERNMENT OF NASHVILLE AND DAVIDSON COUNTY:
Section 1. The Metropolitan Council hereby goes on record as honoring retired Tennessee State University Athletics Director Teresa Phillips.
Section 2. This Resolution shall take effect from and after its adoption, the welfare of The Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County requiring it.