Back in 2000, Executive Director Scott Bullington and an event committee made up of board members welcomed former University of Tennessee football coach Johnny Majors to Greeneville to share his life experiences and help raise funds for the local Boys & Girls Club. Little did they know how much the event would grow or how many other UT coaches and athletes would eventually take the stage. Over the years, the list has included Ray Mears, Phillip Fulmer, Pat Summitt, Dale Ellis and Josh Dobbs, along with professional sports stars such as Mike Singletary and Dale Murphy.
This year’s event brought an added level of excitement. Not only did attendees welcome Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and Knoxville native Todd Helton as the guest speaker, but they also gathered inside the club’s new 27,000-square-foot Phil and Martha Bachman Center.
Approximately 350 members and guests were treated to a meet-and-greet session with Helton, providing opportunities to meet the former Colorado Rockies star, take photos and have memorabilia autographed. Following the reception, guests enjoyed a meal sponsored by Greeneville Federal Bank and prepared and served by Brumley’s Catering by Angeez.
After the meal, Bullington introduced Helton, along with Bob Kessling, who served as emcee for the remainder of the evening.
Helton, who competed at Knoxville Central High School, reflected on his life after high school and his decision to turn down a professional baseball contract after being drafted directly out of high school by the San Diego Padres.
“The guy flew from San Diego to Knoxville several times trying to get me to sign, and there were times that I almost did it. The biggest reason that I didn’t was my grandmother,” Helton recalled.
After being named Tennessee’s Gatorade Player of the Year in both football and baseball, Helton enrolled at the University of Tennessee, where he continued his two-sport career.
On the football field, he spent his first two seasons backing up Heath Shuler before serving as Jerry Colquitt’s backup during his third year. When Colquitt tore his ACL in the season opener against UCLA in 1994, Helton was thrust into the starting role. Three weeks later, against Mississippi State, Helton also suffered a knee injury, opening the door for a young quarterback named Peyton Manning.
Helton reflected on his time with the football team, particularly how the injury ultimately influenced his athletic career.
“I’m glad that it wasn’t a very significant injury because baseball was my first love. I knew that I did not have the arm strength as the others, but I enjoyed the competition. That injury was probably the best thing that ever happened to me because it gave me time to be hitting in the cage while the others were out on the gridiron.”
With baseball becoming his full-time focus, Helton went on to enjoy a magnificent junior season, hitting .407 while leading the Southeastern Conference in several offensive categories. He also led the conference with a 1.66 ERA, compiling an 8-2 record on the mound with 12 saves. His efforts helped lead the Volunteers to a third-place finish in the NCAA College World Series, and he earned a spot on the NCAA All-Tournament Team.
The Colorado Rockies selected Helton eighth overall in the first round of the MLB Draft. After spending just two seasons in the minor leagues, he made his major league debut on Aug. 2, 1997.
Helton spent 17 seasons in Colorado, becoming the longest-tenured player in franchise history. A five-time All-Star, he finished his career with a .317 batting average, having finished runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year and captured the National League batting title in 2000.
“I learned a lot playing baseball, and I really miss the competition,” Helton said. “It is a great sport that teaches us lessons every day, especially about failure. I have always been told that if you get one hit every three at-bats (that’s failing twice), you will end up in the Hall of Fame. It’s about getting knocked down, dusting yourself off and getting back up again. Whether it be a pitch at the plate or a bad losing streak, it’s all about helping the team when I am not at my best.”
Helton also emphasized the importance of giving back and the impact sports can have on young people.
“Baseball is a great sport, like I said. It teaches kids so many things, and kids benefit so much from baseball or any other team sport.”
After 17 seasons with the same franchise, Helton retired from baseball in 2013. He also recalled the anticipation surrounding the phone call every young ballplayer dreams of receiving: the call informing him that he had been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
“That night we had a group of people over, and when the phone rang, we all anticipated the words that would come, but it ended up being my brother just wanting to know if I had heard anything.”
That long-awaited call finally came in 2024. Helton earned his place in Cooperstown on his sixth ballot, joining Adrian Beltré, Joe Mauer and Jim Leyland in that year’s Hall of Fame class.
“I remember Johnny Bench taking me aside and welcoming me to the group, and I got chills. It is a special place, and I plan on going back each year, as long as life and health permits.”
Boys & Girls Club President Rebecca Belcher closed the evening by reminding those in attendance of the many ways they could give back to the organization. She also thanked the event’s sponsors: GEA Connect, John Deere Power Products, Apex Bank, Acorn Electrical Specialist and Marsh Petroleum.
The next major event on the Boys & Girls Club calendar is its 27th Annual Celebrity Auction, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24. Community members interested in supporting the organization are encouraged to contact Bullington at 423-787-9334 or 423-787-9322.
As the club continues its work in the community, its message remains the same: Great Futures Start Here.
