By Jonathan Frank, TTU Communications and Marketing
Tennessee Tech University posthumously honored a distinguished alumnus, community leader and Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame inductee with the naming of a street on Tech's campus in his memory.
The semi-circle off McGee Boulevard outside Tech's Hooper Eblen Center will now be known as Noble Cody Circle in memory of Noble Cody, who passed away in 2016. Members of the Cody family, friends and admirers attended a naming ceremony and reception memorializing Cody's legacy.
A World War II veteran and successful local business leader, Cody is remembered for his decades of service to Tech and the Upper Cumberland community. Cody served as assistant basketball coach at Tech from 1951 to 1954, was a local principal and city council member and served two terms as Mayor of Algood. He was inducted into the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1989 and was appointed by then-Governor Don Sundquist to the Tennessee Board of Regents in 2000. Cody also served as a member of the Tennessee Tech Foundation Board of Directors.
"We are here today to honor Noble Cody and his life of service to his university, his community, his state and his country," said Tech President Phil Oldham in remarks at the event. "Noble was a lifelong supporter of education and of Tennessee Tech. He continually fought for state funding for the university. He was especially passionate about Tech athletics, and most especially basketball. His season tickets were front row, center court. He knew every coach and every player. He never missed a game, and he backed up his passion with financial contributions."
"I want to say thank you to the family for the support your parents and you have given to Tennessee Tech," added President Oldham.
Tech President Emeritus Bob Bell and longtime family friend Lewis Matheny also offered tributes.
Family members in attendance at the naming ceremony included Jeanie Holder, Preston Cody, Tracy and Audrey Cody, Lindsey Cody, Sam and Jamie Cody, Michael and Jen Cody, Kelly Wright, and Cody Wright.
Cody's wife of 64 years, Jean Cody, passed away in 2021.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
