Tennessee House honors Penny Hardaway as AAC Coach of the Year for Memphis Tigers

The Tennessee House of Representatives convened on April 9, 2025, for its 23rd Legislative Day, where members celebrated significant achievements in collegiate athletics, particularly those of the University of Memphis. The session featured a resolution honoring Coach Penny Hardaway, who was named the American Athletic Conference (AAC) Coach of the Year for the 2024-2025 season. Under his leadership, the Memphis Tigers basketball team achieved a remarkable 26-5 record and secured the AAC regular season championship.

Representative Camper introduced the resolution, highlighting Hardaway's contributions to the team and the community. The session also recognized the success of the Memphis football team, which finished the season with an impressive 11-2 record, marking the first time in program history that the Tigers achieved back-to-back ten-win seasons. Coaches Ryan Silverfield and Alex Simmons were also acknowledged for their roles in these accomplishments.

In addition to the athletic achievements, the House recognized the broader impact of the University of Memphis's athletic department, which has produced notable athletes and contributed to the local community. Representative Harris emphasized the importance of continued support for the university's programs, noting that the investment in facilities and coaching has led to national recognition for the teams.

The meeting concluded with expressions of gratitude from the coaches, who acknowledged the support from the legislature and the community. Coach Hardaway expressed pride in representing Tennessee and highlighted the challenges of recruiting in the current era of college athletics, emphasizing the importance of developing student-athletes both on and off the court.

Overall, the session underscored the significance of collegiate sports in Tennessee and the pride associated with the achievements of local teams, fostering a sense of community and support for the University of Memphis.