NASHVILLE, TN (WGNS) - The Omni Nashville Hotel was glowing in shades of TRUE BLUE Saturday (7/11/2026) night as Middle Tennessee took center stage at the 2026 Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame ceremony. The annual event, founded in 1966, has spent six decades honoring athletes, coaches, teams, writers, and administrators who shaped Tennessee’s sports identity. But this year, the spotlight belonged unmistakably to MTSU basketball.
Blue Raider Men's Basketball: Coach Kermit Davis - Former Blue Raider men’s basketball Coach Kermit Davis walked onto the stage as a full member of the 2026 Hall of Fame Induction Class, a moment that capped a career that changed the trajectory of MTSU athletics. Davis didn’t just win games — he rebuilt the program from the ground up. Over 16 seasons, he collected 332 victories, becoming the winningest coach in school history. His teams earned three NCAA Tournament appearances, including the unforgettable 2016 upset of No. 2 Michigan State, still considered one of the greatest shockers in tournament history. The following year, MTSU toppled No. 5 Minnesota, proving the Blue Raiders were no one‑hit wonder.
Davis’ résumé includes seven conference championships, nine Coach of the Year honors, and a reputation for disciplined teams that excelled both on the court and in the classroom. His induction recognizes not only the wins, but the culture he built — one that elevated MTSU’s national profile and energized fans across Middle Tennessee.
Blue Raider Lady's Basketball: Coach Rick Insell - Sharing the evening’s applause was Rick Insell, who received the prestigious Pat Summitt Lifetime Achievement Award. Insell was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame 14 years earlier--not for MTSU, but in 2012 for his mythic high‑school coaching career at Shelbyville Central High School. Insell’s latest honor carries enormous weight. The award, named for the legendary University of Tennessee coach, celebrates decades of excellence, integrity, and impact on basketball. Scroll down for photos of Coach Rick Insell (left) and Coach Kermit Davis (right)...
Coach Insell’s numbers speak loudly: 505 career wins, 21 straight postseason appearances, 12 NCAA Tournament berths, and the distinction of being the first coach to record 500 wins at both the high school and college levels. But the award also reflects something deeper — his influence on generations of student‑athletes, his role in elevating women’s basketball in Tennessee, and the character he’s shown throughout his career. In many ways, Insell’s legacy mirrors Summitt’s: tough, principled, and transformative.
Saturday night’s ceremony reminded everyone why the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame exists. It preserves stories, celebrates achievement, and connects fans to the people who shaped sports in our state. And this year, those stories were painted TRUE BLUE, honoring two men whose work at Middle Tennessee State University left an imprint far beyond Murfreesboro.
