For outstanding service to sports journalism in Tennessee, RANDY SMITH is inducted into the 2018 class of the Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame.
In 1968, while still in high school, Randy began his sports reporting career at WENO radio in Nashville. Since that time, he has worked as a play-by-play announcer, color analyst television sports news anchor, talk show host, sports marketer and writer.
Randy's work has included both high school and college sports, he is a three-time finalist for the Tennessee Sportscaster of the Year award, and in his 46-year career has amassed more than 500 sports telecasts. He has also been recognized as Tennessee's best sports show host
Randy's sports reporting has taken him to media outlets in Murfreesboro, Nashville and Chattanooga, and he has been seen by fans of East Tennessee State University, the University of Tennessee, Chattanooga, the Vol Network, SportsSouth, the Southeastern Conference, and Southern Conference basketball tournaments.
He can also be seen serving as a umpire in TSSAA [[[ T-Double S Double A ]]] baseball and softball games.
Although many members of his extended family were active athletes, Randy's on-field exploits are apparently limited to the annual 4th of July family croquet grudge match, about which he is reported to have said, "Of course I cheat. Everyone cheats. It is considered something of a disgrace if you get caught not cheating. And in this type of high-level croquet grudge-match, everyone uses performance enhancing drugs, which are always supplied by my grandmother in the form of sweet iced tea."
Despite these startling admissions, Randy Smith has distinguished himself by outstanding service to sports journalism, and has brought great credit to himself, his community and the State of Tennessee.
