The life of Tom Sage has been decorated with success in many different forms. The common denominator has been hard work. Today, we focus on his journey at Smyrna high school where he has now traveled from one hall to another.
The year was 1970 and times were different. Smyrna was home to Sewart Air Force base and the good news for then football and basketball coach Robert “Bud” Raikes was talent would fly in via military assignments. The bad news for the Bulldogs was talent could quickly be removed by reassignments.
As the school year began, Bud had a mouth watering lineup returning that featured sharp shooting guard Randy Travis and a frontline that measured 6- foot five, six foot seven, and six-foot seven. Suddenly, however things changed for the beaming basketball coach as all of his height was removed by Uncle Sam’s orders. With his trees now cut, the resourceful Raikes had to do something different.
“I though we were loaded because the players we had were not only tall but also had talent”, remembers Raikes.” With a pair of good guards I thought we had a real chance to be something special. Then I got the news that we were going to lose all three of the big boys. I had to do something.”
Raikes took to the hallways of Smyrna high in search of players. Surely he could find someone to help fill the void. As the competitive coach combed the hall he came upon a behemoth of a boy. There was a young Tom Sage, blessed with a six-foot six frame but had never played basketball. Raikes was determined to shape this young man and make him into a basketball player.
The next two years saw Sage reach all-new heights on the hardwood. Working diligently every day on his craft, this young man defined Bulldog. Wearing a 25-pound weighted vest at practice to help strengthen his mobility, the “project” became a player to be reckoned with. In 1971 Sage established a new single game scoring record (38) for Smyrna and earned All Mid-State honors. Big-bodied and bold, this Bulldog ruled the boards as well. Sage still ranks today as one of the top rebounders in Smyrna high basketball history.
“Tom Sage was simply one of the hardest working kids I ever coached”, says Raikes. “He made himself into a basketball player and the best rebounder I had.”
Fast-forward to October 26, 2024 and we now find this man in another “hall”. Tom Sage was inducted into the Smyrna High School Athletic Hall of Fame. A true testament to the beauty of hard-work and diligence, this Bulldog earned his way into the history books and will be always remembered as one of Smyrna’s best.
“This is one of the best days of my life”, says Sage. “Smyrna is one of the greatest places on earth because it has always been such a great community. Bud Raikes helped me lay a foundation for success by teaching me as a young man and I am proud to say he is a mentor and friend.”
Sage was joined in the 2024 Hall of Fame class by soccer standouts Johnny Black and Drew Davenport, state-champion wrestler Cameron Henderson, big-hitting baseball player Jimmy Langford, basketball legend Phyllis Hall, and the state championship girls’ softball team of 2013 coached by Luke Sheppard.
