University of Tennessee Athletics
Hendee Inducted Into Tennessee Swimming Hall of Fame
October 20, 2003 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Oct. 18, 2003
Long-time Tennessee assistant swimming coach Joe Hendee was inducted into the Tennessee Swimming Hall of Fame Oct. 18 in a ceremony at the University Center.
Hendee, who is entering his 19th season on the UT swimming & diving staff, was joined by former Vols Ray Brown, Craig Gilliam and Mike Masters in the induction ceremonies. Former Lady Vols Leslie Mix and Stephanie Brinser Williams were also inducted. All captured SEC titles in their respective events and earned All-America honors.
After serving as a team manager for the Vols under former head coach Ray Bussard, Hendee, became UT's first paid assistant coach when he was hired on Bussard's staff in 1985. He's been on current head coach John Trembley's staff since 1988.
While at Tennessee, Hendee has had the opportunity to assist at various international and national events. His first USS staffing came at the U.S. Swimming Elite Training Camp held in Chapel Hill in 1986. He served on the coaching staff of the 1989 Olympic Festival at Oklahoma City, Okla., which featured two Vol swimmers, and at the 1993 Olympic Festival in San Antonio, Texas. In 1994, Hendee traveled to Paris as a member of the staff of the National Junior team and also served in Colorado Springs for the National Junior Team camps in 1997 and 1999. In 1996, while preparing Jeremy Linn and Ricky Busquets for the summer Olympics in Atlanta, Hendee took on the role of facilities coordinator when the U.S. Olympic swim team held training camp at the Student Aquatic Center.
Hendee came to the UT from Chattanooga, where he attended Notre Dame High School. As an undergraduate, he served as Facilities Coordinator for the Russian-American dual-meet held in Knoxville in conjunction with the World's Fair. Hendee then began graduate school to assist 1984 Olympic Coach Ray Bussard with the team through the completion of his Olympic responsibilities. After working in private business for a year, Bussard hired Hendee as his first assistant coach.
He and his wife Shelli have two daughters, Claire and Caroline. The Hendees attend Sacred Heart Catholic Church.
The Tennessee Swimming Hall of Fame recognizes outstanding performances or achievements in swimming.
