Robert Neyland: The West Point Engineer who built Tennessee Football

A graduate of West Point and veteran of both world wars, Neyland often played a dual role as both an army officer and football coach.
About this Event

Robert Neyland was not your typical college football coach. A graduate of West Point and veteran of both world wars, Neyland often played a dual role as both an army officer and football coach, shifting seamlessly between the two professions. At the University of Tennessee, he ran his program like the army and amassed an impressive 173-31-12 record. In Robert Neyland: The West Point Engineer Who Built Tennessee Football, Timothy D. Johnson provides deep insight into Neyland's life and incredible career. Featuring interviews with the only living former players from the Neyland era, and including new details from the Robert R. Neyland Family Papers, Johnson brings Neyland's story to life, revealing how Neyland's success resulted from his stern discipline and ability to put together consistently dominant defenses. It's a story that is sure to not only fascinate fans of Tennessee football, but sports and military historians, as well.

Tim Johnson is the Elizabeth Gentry Brown Professor of History at Lipscomb University, where he has taught since 1991. He earned his PhD in history from The University of Alabama and has been recognized with Lipscomb’s Outstanding Teacher Award and as a finalist for the Army Historical Foundation’s Distinguished Writing Award.. His career includes fellowships at Yale University and the Virginia Historical Society, as well as a visiting professorship at Pepperdine University. Professor Johnson has appeared on C-SPAN, The History Channel and Public Television. He has authored or edited nine books and over two dozen articles. Johnson has been married to his wife, Jayne, since 1978 and they have three sons and six grandchildren.

Demetria Kalodimos is Executive Producer at the Nashville Banner. During a nearly 40-year career in television news, she has won 16 Emmys, three Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE) National awards, three Edward R. Murrow awards for investigative reporting, and a Gracie from American Women in Radio and Television. She was consistently voted Best Local Anchor by readers of the Tennessean and the Nashville Scene, and was inducted into the Tennessee Journalism Hall of Fame and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) Silver Circle. Demetria holds a master’s degree in journalism from the University of Illinois. She also produces her own award-winning documentaries, music videos and other visual content through her company Genuine Human Productions, headquartered at The Filming Station.

This event is part of our TN Writers | TN Stories series. To reserve tickets please use code GBO26. Readings and discussions take place in the Digital Learning Center at the Tennessee State Museum. All events include an opportunity to purchase books through the Museum store and get them signed by the author.