Tommy Smith, who has been named the new basketball advisor at Vanderbilt University, has a connection to Jackson.
Locals might remember when Smith coached the Jackson Jammers of the Global Basketball Association – which lasted one season – to the only league title in 1992.
The team began play in middle Tennessee as the Music City Jammers before vacating Municipal Auditorium for Oman Arena in Jackson.
Teams in the Global Basketball Association were the Greenville (S.C.) Spinners; Mid-Michigan Great Lakers; Louisville Shooters; Albany (Ga.) Sharpshooters; Huntsville Lasers; Fayetteville (N.C.) Flyers; Memphis Hot Shots; Mississippi Coast Sharks; Pensacola HotShots; Raleigh (N.C.) Bulldogs, South Georgia Blues and the Wichita Outlaws.
In 2007, Smith began working for the NBA, serving as a management/marketing consultant to seven of the 16 NBA D-League Teams, including responsibility for opening a new franchise.
He worked directly with team owners and marketing staffs for each franchise to develop strategies, processes and methods for selling tickets, sponsorships and advertising.
He was promoted to Senior Director of League Operations, expanding his duties to include all league policies and owner-related issues.
(PHOTO: Tommy Smith, new basketball advisor at Vanderbilt University – courtesy Jo Jo Freeman, sports information director, Cumberland University)
David Thomas, Twitter – @DavidThomasWNWS
https://www.facebook.com/NewsTalk1015/
