The street that serves as the entrance to UT’s athletic complex that houses the Cronan Volleyball Center, Lee Softball Stadium, and Regal Soccer Stadium was named Joan Cronan Way in honor of the former UT vice chancellor and director of women’s athletics.
A dedication was held prior to the April 20 softball game against Furman. Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero threw out the first pitch to start the game. Afterwards, Joan Cronan, Sherri Parker Lee, who is the namesake for the softball stadium, and Mayor Madeline Rogero posed for photos at Joan Cronan Way.
Cronan has been a pioneer for women’s athletics for over four decades and has had a profound impact on UT over the years. In addition to serving as Tennessee’s director of women’s athletics, Cronan was appointed to the NCAA Division I Leadership Council in 2010 and was selected by her peers to be the president of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics in 2008-09. Cronan is also a former president of the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators and was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2008.
Related story and photos from UT Sports: Tennessee Athletics Dedicating Street After Former Women’s AD Joan Cronan
Related photo gallery from City of Knoxville: Joan Cronan Way Dedication
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