UK Coach Tubby Smith to be featured speaker at TTU College of Business fundraiser

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. (June 30, 2003) -- Talk basketball and success with University of Kentucky Head Basketball Coach Tubby Smith at Tennessee Tech University's College of Business Administration Foundation's 12th Annual Fundraiser Celebration on Aug. 21 at the Leslie Town Centre.

Described by his athletic department as intense, caring, fiery, friendly, demanding, humorous, focused, and family-oriented, Smith will be the featured guest at a reception and the featured after-dinner speaker for the fundraiser.

"With the severe reductions in state appropriations, we are challenged more each year to fund our College of Business programs through private gifts," said Pat Quillen, Director of TTU's College of Business Administration Foundation.

TTU's men's basketball head coach Mike Sutton maintains a strong friendship with Smith, who has coached with Sutton on both the high school and college levels.

Smith, named 2003 Naismith Coach of the Year by The Sporting News and honored by the U.S. Basketball Writers' Association, ESPN, AP, Basketball Times and the National Association of Basketball Coaches, led Kentucky to the1998 NCAA National Championship title.

In six seasons at Kentucky, Smith has compiled a 164-47 record, bringing his career totals to 288-109. In addition to the national title, he coached UK teams to Southeastern Conference Tournament titles in '98, '99, '01 and '03. In NCAA Tournament play, Smith is 20-8, the fifth-best winning percentage among active coaches.

Since 1975, TTU's College of Business Administration Foundation has provided more than $1 million in annual and endowed scholarships to business students, helping more than 1,000 students fulfill their dreams of graduation. The foundation cultivates working relationships with the business community and encourages business leaders to actively participate with the college.

Limited seating is available to the Fundraiser Celebration, which is open to businesses and the public. Corporate tables for eight people are priced at $1,000; individual seats are $100. All tickets include the reception and dinner. The payment deadline is Aug. 7.

Business leaders may request that a COBAF member visit their workplace to provide more information about the event. For more information, call the COBAF office at 931-372-3649.

 
--Karen Lykins
This information posted 30 June 2003