NASHVILLE — Candace Story Lee was honored as 'Tennessean of the Year' by the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2025. She is the first Vanderbilt athletics administrator to receive the award, which recognizes individuals who have made contributions to society through sports or other methods.

Lee serves as Vanderbilt Vice Chancellor for Athletics and University Affairs and Athletic Director. She has been a back-to-back finalist for the Sports Business Journal’s Athletic Director of the Year Award.

Vanderbilt competes in 16 varsity sports. The Vanderbilt football team recorded its first 10-win season, and head coach Clark Lea won the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award. The men’s basketball team posted its best record in 33 years, and head coach Mark Byington became the first men’s coach in program history to win 20 games in each of his first two seasons.

The Vanderbilt women’s basketball team achieved its first 20-win season, with Shea Ralph earning SEC Coach of the Year honors. The baseball team won the 2025 SEC Tournament for the fourth time under head coach Tim Corbin and secured the top seed in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. The soccer team also captured the 2025 SEC Tournament title, its second under head coach Darren Ambrose.

The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame has presented the 'Tennessean of the Year' award annually since 1982. The 2025 award ceremony will be held on July 11 at the Omni Nashville.