Joe North, Ellen Renfroe Reed, Brandon Rowland, Dexter Williams and Jeff Wyatt are the newest members of the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame.
The five will become the 34th class inducted when ceremonies are held at the Carl Perkins Civic Center at 6:30 p.m., Thursday.
NEWS/TALK 101.5 FM & WNWS.COM visited with Ellen Renfroe Reed for a Question and Answer session.
A 2010 graduate of TCA, Ellen Renfroe Reed, was part of the school’s softball program that won 224 games that included state titles in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010.
Her senior year, she was named the Most Valuable Player in the TSSAA state tournament, and was named the Gatorade Tennessee Softball Player of the Year.
She played collegiately at the University of Tennessee, where she was named the 2011 Most Valuable Player in the Southeastern Conference Tournament, and named to the 2013 Women’s College World Series All-Tournament team in 2013.
Ellen also played professionally with the Chicago Bandits of the National Pro Fastpitch League.
Question: First, some background information. Family, education, employment and hobbies?
Answer: My parents are Marty Renfroe and Emily Renfroe. I have two sisters. My older sister is Ivy Lowery, and my younger sister is Anna Hubler. I am married to Jon Reed. I got my bachelors in psychology from the University of Tennessee and have completed part of my master in social work at the University of Memphis.
I am currently employed at Lakeway Christian Academy in Morristown, Tennessee, where I serve as the Spiritual Life assistant and softball coach. I have two dogs that I love taking for walks and hikes in the mountains. I have recently enjoyed doing some baking in my free time although I am not very good.
Question: Did you know you had been nominated for induction into the Hall of Fame, and what were your thoughts when you first received word of your selection?
Answer: I was aware that I had been nominated and was so honored to even be considered! I know several others who have been and are being inducted into the Hall of Fame, and I can’t believe that my name will be listed to so many of them.
Question: Your older sister Ivy entered the Jackson-Madison County Sports Hall of Fame in 2018.
What was it like to play on the same team at TCA and the University of Tennessee with Ivy and your younger sister, Anna?
Answer: STRESSFUL! (laughing) When I watched them hit, pitch, throw, or field the ball, I wanted them to succeed more than I wanted to. When they failed, I felt it, and when they succeeded, we all got to rejoice together.
In all seriousness, playing with family was the greatest blessing in my playing career. It was like playing with my best friends every day. I loved competing with them and for them every time we stepped onto the field to play or practice.
My first time to ever play without a family member was the summer of 2014 after I graduated college. I was playing for the Chicago Bandits. As awesome of an experience as that was, I can remember missing them every day and feeling like a part of me was missing when I was on the field or in the dugout.
There is nothing like playing with and cheering on your best friends, who happen to be your sisters. I would do it again in a heartbeat!
Question: Was there a time you realized you were not only talented, but gifted at the game of softball?
Answer: I have always been raised to understand that my talent to play softball was a gift from the Lord and that I needed to use that gift as a way to help build the Kingdom of Jesus. I was a taught to impact those around me in the softball world for the sake of Jesus and not for myself.
I don’t think I ever really knew that I was talented until after my freshman year at UT though. I can remember committing to Tennessee and beginning my freshman year and thinking that I would just go work hard and whatever happened, happened.
I didn’t expect playing time or to have a main role on the team as a pitcher. After competing against some of the best softball athletes in the country my freshman year, I realized that I had a shot at really helping my team win a World Series as a pitcher and not just a really good cheerleader and teammate in the dugout.
Question: Was there any one game that stands out in your career – high school or college?
Answer: There is one that stands out in high school and one that stands out in college. The one that stands out most in high school is losing state my sophomore year to Forrest. The game that stands out most in college is losing to Oklahoma my junior year the first game of the National Championship series.
I think I remember those the most because they hurt the most and motivated me more than any game we won. I probably think about those games more often than I should even now.
There are lots of other fun memories that involve winning like the four state championships we won in high school, and sweeping Florida at home my senior year. Gator hater … GO VOLS! (laughing)
Question: You decided to stay in the game as a coach. Which is more difficult – playing the game, or teaching the game?
Answer: Teaching the game is way harder for me because it makes me miss playing the game.
I also am not a very patient person and coaching/teaching requires patience.
(PHOTO: Ellen Renfroe Reed)
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