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Charlie Hawkins Recognized as the 2004 Reese L. Smith Award Recipient 8/13/2004
Charlie Hawkins Recognized as the 2004 Reese L. Smith Award Recipient 9-13-04 Nashville, Tenn. — The Nashville Sports Council recognized Charlie Hawkins posthumously as the 2004 Reese L. Smith Award before the largest Comcast Sports Speaker Series event to date with over 950 attendees. The award honors an individual who makes a difference in sports. Recipients are recognized for their achievement and community service through their participation as a player, coach, administrator, supporter, and overachiever. Members of the Nashville Sports Council nominate and select the recipient. Shortly after the event, Bill Hawkins, son of the late Charlie Hawkins, remarked, “Our family is very appreciative of this special recognition. Charlie Hawkins was a man who very much loved athletic competition and his hometown of Nashville. In his lifetime, he actively participated in the growth and development of both and watched with great excitement as they developed to what they are today. He would be touched by this honor, especially considering the man, Reese Smith, in whose name it is given.” Hawkins added, “Our thanks go out to all those who have been so supportive of our family in dad’s recent illness and passing. It has been a very difficult time, but his life of sharing and giving to others, that this recognizes, helps comfort us.” Charlie Hawkins was a native of Nashville, Tennessee, graduating from Montgomery Bell Academy in 1950 and Vanderbilt University in 1054 before serving in U.S. Navy for five years. After retiring from the Navy and working in the real estate business for a few years, Hawkins founded Chas. Hawkins Co., Inc in 1962. Incredibly active within the community, Mr. Hawkins was involved as a board member for the Nashville Red Cross, Montgomery Bell Academy, Franklin Road Academy, FCA, and many more. He was active in the church as a charter member of Woodmont Christian Church, conducting services each Sunday for 20 years in addition to serving as an elder and a Sunday School teacher. As a standout athlete at MBA and Vanderbilt, Hawkins played for both the baseball and football teams. And Vanderbilt baseball fans can now attend games inside Hawkins field, named in Charlie’s honor in early 2004. While Charlie Hawkins will be remembered as an exceptional athlete, active church member, and volunteer in many areas of the community, he will mostly be remembered for his positive outlook on life and his kindness and generosity to many. The annual Reese L. Smith, Jr. Award was established in 1992 by the Nashville Area Athletic Club and was adopted by the Nashville Sports Council. The award was created in memory of the late Smith who was an important figure to Nashville’s sports development. Smith lettered in baseball, basketball, and football at Hillsboro High and played football at MTSU. Reese was a member of the Nashville Fast Pitch Softball Hall of Fame and is in the MTSU Blue Raider Hall of Fame. Teresa Phillips received the award in 2003, David Meador was recognized in 2002 and Charlie Anderson was the recipient in 2001. A complete list of award recipients and more information regarding the Reese L. Smith, Jr. Award is available on the Nashville Sports Council website at www.NashvilleSports.com. The Nashville Sports Council is a private, not-for-profit, membership-based organization of area corporations and individual sports enthusiasts. Created in 1992, the Nashville Sports Council’s mission is to positively impact the economy and quality of life of the Greater Nashville Area by attracting and promoting professional and amateur sports. For more information, call 615-743-3120 or visit www.NashvilleSports.com |
