Wise are those who can pick up trash and turn it into treasure.

Hold that thought. If all goes well, it will reappear in a later paragraph or three in this unusual story about what I do believe is the greatest collection of Tennessee men’s basketball memorabilia – in Knoxville, probably the state and the United States (and why not the world?)

R. Larry Smith’s spectacular museum is hidden in almost plain sight, 7119 Afton Circle in the heart of Halls.

He has spent decades developing it. Smith says several fans, maybe a hundred, have seen it. Former players have negotiated invitations and stopped by. Some brought personal keepsakes and asked if those could be added to the display. Cheers, good idea well received.

Certain coaches and other key people have participated. Ray Mears was enthusiastic. Bruce Pearl was supportive. Dr. Andy Kozar once offered suggestions. Rick Barnes? Maybe later. He’s just been here 11 years.

You may already know Mr. Smith, 72, local roots, mostly retired insurance executive, toastmaster, long-time politician, twice a county commissioner, past president of various civic groups, full-time fan of the basketball Volunteers.

Vol A.W. Davis with coach Ray Mears.

I met him a long time ago, front row at Stokely Athletic Center. Many years later, that historic arena was the setting for the “trash into treasure” segment of Smith’s adventure. The building had outlived usefulness and was to be demolished in 2014 to make way for campus progress. Smith wondered what had happened to the large photographs of Volunteers that had lined the hallways.

He asked Tom Mattingly, then of the UT sports information department.

“Some are still there.”

Tom added information. There were closets stuffed with stuff, relics, old trophies, awards, brochures, etc.

Mattingly now says “I was actually pleased that somebody cared enough to inquire. It hurt to think about throwing away prizes that players and coaches had won. Some trophies and plaques were damaged. All were old but all had been part of Tennessee victories.”

Smith got official permission to rescue several items that caught his eye.

Mattingly, eloquently, said “He outran the wrecking ball, bulldozers and dump trucks.”

Thousands of keepers, going back to 1909, had more glamorous routes to the museum. There is a basketball jersey from 1919 under glass in a frame. There are photos of all the all-Americans, starting with Harry Anderson, 6-3 center, of 1936.

Smith knows the precise location of Tom Boerwinkle’s Southeastern Conference championship ring among his prized assortment of award watches and other Vol souvenirs. As was Tom, his ring is larger than most.

There are original seats that were once assigned to a famous university president, Dr. Edward J. Boling. There is a long-ago locker from the players’ dressing room with full game attire.

There are giant scrapbooks of full-page newspaper coverage of big games. There is a very old student season ticket to games in Alumni Gym. It includes photo identification.

The whole show is carefully arranged in six rooms, 2,500 square feet of dedicated exhibit space. There are 35 large display cases, like you might see in a jewelry store, filled with collectibles. Some are undoubtedly very valuable.

The Larry Smith museum is insured for more than a million dollars.

My favorite stop was the Ray Mears Room. Coach’s original orange blazer is still bright. One of the featured attractions is the very basketball Bill Justus used to hit two free throws in the closing seconds of the third overtime at Mississippi State on March 6, 1967. That clinched an SEC championship and the school’s first bid to the NCAA tournament.

That ball also delivered 35 Ron Widby points against those Bulldogs. Yes, I was in Starkville. I, too, am a relic.

Another trophy had deep meaning to Mears. The Tennessee season opener in 1969 was against the defending national champion South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia. Coach and close friend Ken Rice went for a pre-game walk around town.

Inside the front window of a store was a colorful gamecock, mounted in a fighting pose. Mears studied it carefully and may have fanaticized about the forthcoming fight with bigger Gamecocks. Rice read the scene correctly.

“When you beat those guys, I’ll come back in the morning and get that for you.”

Tennessee, 24-point underdog, won, 55-54. Jimmy England dominated. Rice purchased the gamecock. Don’t even ask how much it cost. It mattered a lot to Mears.

Decades later when his time was running short, the coach wanted Smith to have it for the museum.
In addition to winning games and annoying Kentucky’s Adolph Rupp with his own brown suit, Mears added entertainment. His Vols did their best to match the famous Globetrotters’ warm-ups. A special act was forward Roger Peltz juggling three balls while riding a unicycle around the court.

The unicycle is parked in the museum.

There are other items Mears donated. His wife, Dana, provided more after the coach’s death. There is a large photo of Mears and A.W. Davis that became the cover for a UT brochure. There is a large photo of Ernie Grunfeld in Olympic attire with his gold medal on a red, white and blue ribbon around his neck.

Of course there are reminders of Bernard King. And Rodney Woods. And Howard Bayne, Dale Ellis, Reggie Johnson and Allan Houston.

Elsewhere is who’s who – Johnny Darden, Chris Lofton, Grant Williams, on and on.

Fans with an appreciation of Vol basketball history might really enjoy the memories. Want to invest an hour? Smith’s phone is 865-679-4106. Ask about an appointment. There is no entrance fee. Nothing is for sale. Do confirm that cameras are permitted.

Tell Larry that Marvin sent you. Larry has the keys to all the rooms.

Marvin West welcomes comments or questions from readers. His address is marvinwest75@gmail.com

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