Ronnie Carter

Ronnie Carter

Ronnie Carter Named 2021 Recipient of Roy Kramer Contribution to Football Award

Carter presenting Defensive MVP award to Jeremy Davis of Boyd Buchanan at 2002 Blue Cross Bowl game.

Ronnie Carter is this year’s honoree for the “Roy Kramer Contribution to Football Award.” In all candor, Carter is also deserving of recognition for his contributions to every Tennessee secondary school sport played following a decorated career as Executive Director of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA). Carter joined the TSSAA as an Assistant Executive Director in 1978 and became the association’s Executive Director in 1986. He retired from that post in July 2009 as one of the most respected administrators in secondary school sports throughout the United States. Carter spent over 40 years of his career involved in secondary education and athletics as a teacher, coach, official, and administrator. Prior to joining the TSSAA, Carter taught mathematics and coached football, basketball, wrestling, and track for 11 years at the secondary school level in Nashville.

“I had the distinct privilege of being involved in the great game of football for over 50 years as a player, coach, working with officials and involved in the rules writing process,” Carter stated. “As a player, I was impacted by many great coaches. When I started coaching, the first book I bought was “The Complete Book of the I Formation” by a young coach from Central Michigan University, Roy Kramer, who I would later spend a great deal of time working with in our work in

athletics. Tonight, I receive an award named for him!”

“Ronnie Carter’s hard work and dedication with administrators, coaches and student-athletes over his 30 years at the TSSAA has left a lasting impact on the athletics in the state of Tennessee,” said Bernard Childress, current TSSAA Executive Director. “Our association would not be where it is today without the positive influence, direction and leadership of Ronnie Carter!”

When asked to reflect specifically on his administrative career relating to football, the insightful Carter offered these words: “For 31 years, I had the great privilege of working with game officials in writing and teaching the administration of playing rules. Then I had the great experience of working with members of the media in explaining rules and the process of changing them. More than anything, the great game of football has provided me with the opportunity to rub shoulders and develop friendships with great people in all these roles.” This award is presented to a local individual who has been instrumental in promoting the game of football with the highest level of leadership, integrity and participation and bears the name of Roy Kramer. Following his own coaching career, Kramer served as Vanderbilt’s Athletic Director and later the Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference.