NASHVILLE — Our little town often gets put on the map thanks to our largest local export, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey, but on July 20 at the Omni Nashville Hotel in Music City, the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame honored another local product, Bill Dance as their Tennessean of the Year at their annual award banquet.
The TSHF honorees were named back in May with the awards ceremony taking place last Saturday in Nashville. It’s an honor that goes all the way back to 1982 with past honorees such as Barbara Mandrell, Pat Summitt, and Dolly Parton. Dance is the second native of Lynchburg to be honored. The TSHF named Johnny Majors as Tennessean of the Year back in 1991.
Dance learned of the honor while on a conference call with Tennessee Department of Tourism Commission Mark Ezell and the TSHF Vice Chair Brad A. Lampley.
“That’s unbelievable,” a visibly moved Dance told the two after the announcement. “This is without question the biggest honor I’ve ever received. I’m floored.”
In addition to his Tennessean of the Year Award, the TSHF inducted Dance to the Hall of Fame in 2006. Dance’s grandfather famously taught Bill how to fish in the Mulberry Creek. Since those early days, he’s gone on to be an undisputed leader in the bass fishing world.
He turned pro in 1970 and went on to win an impressive 23 National Bass titles, three time Angler of the Year, winner of The Congressional National Safety Award, National Freshwater Hall of Fame, professional Bass Fishing Hall of Fame, international Fishing Hall of Fame, and the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers Commander’s Achievement Award for Water Safety. He also served as Spokesman for United States Coast Guard and was named by Field and Stream as one of “The 50 Most Influential People in the Sport of Fishing.”
His iconic television programs Bill Dance Outdoors and Bill Dance Saltwater have educated millions on the art and science of fishing.
In 2020, Bill Dance demonstrated his unwavering commitment to the state of Tennessee by donating his name, image, and likeness for the creation of the Bill Dance Signature Lakes Initiative. This project aims to enhance fisheries and habitat management, improve amenities, and promote economic development in the communities surrounding the 14 designated lakes. Tims Ford Lake located between Moore and Franklin counties is among those designees.
The TSHF honors sports figures from every sport including football, basketball, baseball, golf, soccer, rafting, as well as track and field. In total there are over 500 inductees. If you would like to learn more, click here. •
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