By MIKE KRAFCIK
6 News Reporter
KNOXVILLE (WATE) - A new era began Monday for the group that manages the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
Hall of Fame Management, Inc. held its first board meeting.
The newly-formed board was organized after the old board, Sports Management Inc. (SMI), split in March from the Knoxville Tourism and Sports Corporation (KTSC).
The split followed the retirement of former KTSC President and CEO Gloria Ray.
Hall of Fame Management, Inc. board members are Carol Callan, David Conklin, Joan Cronan, Gloria Deathridge, Karla Douglas, Greg Dunn, Carol Evans, Paul Montgomery, Traci Smith, Michael Strickland, Holly Warlick, and Susan Richardson Williams.
The board includes one member appointed by the city and two appointed by the county.
SMI management had four board members.
"We must have a stronger board, a more diverse board," said Chairman David Conklin.
The members of the new board discussed the hall of fame's new charter and by-laws Monday afternoon.
"We're responsible for the success of this museum, for women's basketball, and for making it viable and sustainable," said Conklin.
Hall of Fame Management, Inc. is independent, with no ties to KTSC. Board members will serve as a governance board to the hall of fame.
They will also be responsible for developing sponsorships and fundraising.
The board is interested in seeing the hall of Fame marketed better on a national level.
"We've got to do a lot of work to do in the community and throughout the country because we want to broaden the base of this hall to be truly a national women's basketball hall of fame," said Conklin.
KTSC still has some involvement with the hall of fame. It oversees the budget, while managing and facilitating employee pay and human resources.
The board and KTSC are eyeing a clean split on October 1.
KTSC Interim President Kim Bumpas said the formation of the new board is a good first step for the hall of fame's future.
"That's what really shooting for, so we can completely be separated. So that will give time with that new board to get their finances in order," said Bumpas.
Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett says the new board is a step in the right direction.
"What I've seen has been some good thinking from the board and they're moving ahead in a very business like manner, and I like it," said Burchett.
Knox County pays $150,000 per year for the operation the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame.
The money comes from county hotel/motel taxes.
The board has future plans to possibly purchase the hall of fame building. The county has owned it since 2000 and is paying on a $8.3 million bond used for the building.
Burchett said the bond won't be paid off until 2018.
The board also elected its officers today. They are:
- Vice-Chair, Joan Cronan
- Secretary, Susan Richardson Williams
- Treasurer, Gloria Deathridge
The members of the new board discussed the hall of fame's new charter and by-laws Monday afternoon.
