Larry G. Cox, longtime president and commissioner of Knoxville Falcons Youth Athletics, is retiring from the organization. The new leader is Robert Stokes.
The youth sports organization has served young people in Knoxville for more than six decades, and Cox has been at its helm for 30 of those years.
“I am so proud of the thousands of children who have played sports with us,” said Cox. “Working with the kids and their coaches has been the most rewarding part of this role, and I look forward to seeing the organization continue to grow and serve families.”
Cox, who runs a multigeneration family business in Oakwood-Lincoln Park and served for many years on Knoxville City Council, will remain a board member of Knoxville Falcons Youth Athletics while Stokes assumes oversight of daily operations.
Stokes grew up in Knoxville and is a graduate of Fulton High School, where he developed his love of sports playing football and running track.
He served as a volunteer coach with Knoxville Falcons Youth Athletics for 14 years, and for the last two years has volunteered with Fulton High School’s football team. Stokes most recently worked at American Paper & Twine and was previously with the city of Knoxville and the Knox County Sherriff’s Office.
“I am grateful for the opportunity to join the Falcons organization full time as Larry retires,” said Stokes. “He is a tremendous community servant, and it’s been a privilege to witness Larry’s exemplary leadership throughout the years. Mentoring children and preparing them for middle and high school teams is my passion, and I look forward to this role helping impact young people in our city.”
Stokes and wife Michelle have been married for 21 years and have two children, Tyler, 23, and Cameron, 16. Both sons were raised in the Falcons organization playing football from flag through high school.
Report submitted by Larry G. Cox