Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Chair Phillip Fulmer and Tennessee Department of Tourist Development Commissioner Mark Ezell recently announced that sports veteran Brad Willis has been named as the Chief Advancement & Operations Officer of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.

Willis is a Lewisburg native and the son of Phil Willis and the late Janice Willis.

“To be able to take over as leader of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame is a great opportunity,” Willis said. “I’ve spent the last 19 years of my life in sports broadcasting, so to be able to transition to another field that is so closely aligned with my previous career is a really unique opportunity that I was excited to take.”

“Growing up in this state, I’ve been a personal witness to many of the athletes, coaches, administrators, and broadcasters that are now inductees, so to have some part in preserving the memory of those achievements is one that I take very seriously.”

Willis is charged with oversight of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, working alongside the Board of Directors to achieve the organization’s mission, annual goals and objectives. He will lead marketing, fundraising and community outreach for the nonprofit, which strives to elevate Tennessee sports by highlighting their positive impact in communities across the state.

“It is exciting to have Brad Willis working in a leadership role with the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame,” said Fulmer. “Brad knows our state, loves sports and is a hard worker and excellent communicator.”

Willis spent two years at Columbia State Community College before matriculating to MTSU where he earned his bachelor’s degree in mass communications.

The 1997 graduate of Marshall County High School began his broadcasting career at WJJM in Lewisburg, working at the radio station in his sophomore year.

“Both the experience at WJJM, and the lessons learned in MTSU’s program really set me up for success,” Willis said.

Willis then went on to intern with the Titans Radio Network in 2001 and was hired on full time in 2002. In 2007, he was named Program Director of 104-5 The Zone (WGFX-FM), which is the flagship station of Titans Radio, and he remained in that position with The Zone and Titans Radio.

Under his leadership, The Zone became the highest-rated sports talk station in the nation. Additionally, he oversaw game day operations for the 55-station network broadcast for the Tennessee Titans Radio Network.

Willis is also a well-decorated program director, being named as Nashville’s Best Program Director by the March of Dimes AIR Awards, and has been named as one of the Top 10 Sports Program Directors nationally for the last four years by Barrett Sports Media.

“We are ecstatic Brad is joining the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame as leader of our organization,” said Ezell. “I know his knowledge and expertise in the sports industry will be an important asset to the Hall. He and the Board of Directors will do amazing work in preserving the history of Tennessee’s greatest sports icons.”

Willis shared some of his memories of growing up in Lewisburg, first playing on the MCHS golf team under legendary coach Gary Wells.

“I was always so impressed with how he (Wells) gave back to the game he loved so much,” Willis said.

In his junior year, Willis decided to go out for the football team under TSSAA Hall of Fame coaches Bob Edens and Joe George.

“I was a 135 lb. junior, and I didn’t have a clue what I was doing out there, but coaches Edens and George really stood out as great teachers of the game,” Willis said. “Physically, I wasn’t built to compete at the time, but I gained such a better understanding of football, and my love for athletics was really cultivated during that time.”

Willis also had some advice for the next generation of sports broadcasters and program directors, saying, “The biggest advice I give to young people wanting to work in broadcasting, or in sports, is that it often comes down to timing and connections.”

“Most times, you have very little say-so in either of those. However, I am a big believer in internships. I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t taken an internship with Titans Radio in May of 2001.

“So, I’d say take as many internships as you can. Make sure people can see how hard you work. Ask lots of questions, and don’t be afraid to fail. You will get as much out of an internship as you put into it, and it can set you up for success when the time comes to get your first job out of college.”

Willis and his wife Amanda live in Murfreesboro with their two children, Cooper and Sarah.

The Tennessee Department of Tourist Development will continue to oversee all operations along with the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame board.

About the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame

Established in 1966, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame enshrines and honors athletes, teams, coaches, sports writers and sports administrators who have made an impact on the history of Tennessee sports. The Hall serves as a platform to connect athletes, coaches, sports fans, and supporters by acknowledging life achievements implemented through sports. The Hall celebrates athletes of all forms, from all across the state. Additionally, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame aspires to educate youth about the importance of healthy habits and the positive impact they have on lifestyle choices. The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame is located at 501 Broadway, Nashville, TN 37203. Hours of operation are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. Tickets are $3 for adults and $2 for children and can be purchased at the Visitor Center in Bridgestone Arena, right outside of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame. Group rates are available for 10 or more. For more information, visit www.tshf.net.

About the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development

Tennessee is the home of the blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul, rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll-delivering an unparalleled experience of beauty, history and family adventure, infused with music that creates a vacation that is “The Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.” Tennessee’s tourism industry generates $22.02 billion in economic impact, more than $1.81 billion in state and local tax revenue and more than 189,757 tourism-related jobs. Explore more at tnvacation.com and join other Tennessee travelers by following “tnvacation” on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and YouTube or “Tennessee” on Snapchat.