ETSU’s first African-American basketball player to be inducted into TN Sports Hall of Fame 2021 class

The first African-American basketball player at East Tennessee State University will be one of 11 inductees in this year’s Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame class.

Tommy Woods played at the Johnson City institution from 1963-67, and additionally was the first African-American player at a public Tennessee institution. Despite being the subject of bigotry and discrimination in his first semesters, Woods became a beloved figure by his senior year, earning All-Ohio Valley Conference honors in 1966 and 1967, while he still holds records for rebounds (1034), rebounds per game average (10.2), and single game rebounds (38).

ETSU Athletic Director Scott Carter, Voice of the Bucs Jay Sandos, and Executive Director of the TN Sports Hall of Fame Brad Willis informed Woods of his induction during a surprise meeting Monday night, and the full video can be viewed by clicking here.

Photo Courtesy: ETSU Athletics/Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame