VANDERBILT ATHLETICS HALL OF FAME – CLASS OF 2009
Charles Davis (Basketball, 1977-81)
Charles Davis made the long journey from the projects of Nashville to Vanderbilt’s West End campus. He didn’t stop there, moving on to a successful career in the NBA. All the while, he never forgot his promise to himself that he would return and help young people find their own pathways to success. His Charles Davis Foundation has been a source of inspiration, pride and achievement for thousands of children over the decades and his accomplishments on and off the basketball court are constant beacons of pride for Vanderbilt University.
- Finished eighth on all-time Vanderbilt scoring list with 1,675 points
- First-Team All-SEC in 1979 and Third-Team All-SEC in 1978
- Led the Commodores in rebounding all four years
- Second-round NBA draft pick by Washington Bullets in 1981
- Played eight seasons in the NBA for four teams until retiring after 1990 season
- Founded and became Executive Director of The Charles Davis Foundation in 1981, which helps youth realize their potential
- Nominated for President George H. Bush’s “Thousand Points of Light” Award in 1992
- Given Reese. L. Smith, Jr. Achievement and Community Service Award and named Tennessee Role Model of the Year from Taxpayers for a Better America in 1994
- Inducted into Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1998
- Chairman of the Board of ITS (Innovative Technology Systems) in 1999
- Was given the Nashville Sports Council Community Spirit Award in 2000
- Received the NCAA Silver Anniversary Award in 2006