Jennings

Univ. Of Tennessee's Debby Jennings Steps Down After 35 Years In Knoxville

Published May 18, 2012

Univ. of Tennessee Associate AD/Media Relations DEBBY JENNINGS announced her retirement Wednesday, according to John Adams of the Knoxville NEWS-SENTINEL. As the primary media contact for UT women's basketball for 35 years. Jennings will be replaced by Associate Media Relations Dir ERIC TRAINER, who has been with the university for 15 years. Jennings was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America HOF in '02 -- only the third woman to be inducted (GOVOLSXTRA.com, 5/16). ESPNW.com's Mechelle Voepel wrote, "For those of us who cover women's basketball, she's an institution and the standard-bearer for a professionally run sports information department." Voepel: "Which is why her 'retirement' ... is such a frustrating statement about downsizing, power moves and the lack of loyalty that characterize so much of the corporate-America aspect of college athletics." A source said that Jennings "did not want to retire." Voepel wrote, "The on-going merger of the school's men's and women's athletic departments has resulted in Tennessee purging some of its longest-tenured employees. No matter how good they are at their jobs." Voepel: "It's sad and alarming to see someone who has given her entire adult life to her alma mater be cut loose" (ESPNW.com, 5/17).