NASHVILLE – Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk has been selected as the 2019 Tennessean of the Year by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame.
Mark Ezell, commissioner of Tennessee Tourist Development, made the announcement on Friday at the end of the 2019 NFL Draft Patron's luncheon at Saint Thomas Sports Park.
"When it was announced, I was so pleasantly surprised," Strunk said. "I feel so honored to have this award, and I'm just very thankful that the folks that award it thought I should get it."
The 2019 TSHF dinner is scheduled for Saturday, June 15 at the Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville.
Strunk is the first honoree to be revealed; the full slate of 2019 honorees and inductees will be announced in March.
The Tennessean of the Year award was first awarded by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 1982.
The award "honors an individual or organization that has made significant contributions to our society through sports or other methods, demonstrating strong character and high profile leadership," Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Executive Director Bill Emendorfer said.
The Tennessean of the Year award is not bestowed each year; only when people are deemed worthy.
The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame is located inside Bridgestone Arena and is open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 p.m. - 5 p.m. Their Tennessee Titans exhibit was updated last week.
Previous winners of the Tennessean of the Year award:
2018: Nashville Predators
2016: Peyton Manning
2014: Todd Helton
2013: James Franklin
2012: Pat Summitt
2011: Kenny Chesney, Ryland Hoskins.
2007: Hank Williams, Jr.
2006: James A. "Jim" Haslam II
2005: Tennessee Olympians.
2004: Avron Fogelman
2003: Gaylord Entertainment Company
2002: 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Major General Richard A. Cody. Commanding.
2001: Tennessee Olympians
2000: Doug Dickey
1999: Phillip Fulmer
1998: Peyton Manning
1997: Phillip Bredesen
1996: Don Sundquist
1995: Vince Gill
1994: Albert Gore, Jr.
1993: Cybil Shepard
1992: John Seigenthaler
1991: Johnny Majors
1990: Ned Ray McWherter
1989: Roy Acuff
1988: Pat Summitt
1987: Stanley Cohen
1986: Lamar Alexander
1985: Tennessee Olympians
1984: Conway Twitty
1983: Jake F. Butcher
1982: Barbara Mandrell
