1996 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE | G.B. PIERCE
Pierce entered Milligan in 1939 and lettered in four sports--basketball, baseball, track and tennis. During his junior and senior years, he was captain of the basketball and baseball teams. He was the leading scorer in both sports for three years, batting over .500 in baseball.
In 1943, Pierce received his bachelor's degree in history and physical education and later earned his master's degree from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville.
After serving in the U.S. Navy, Pierce returned to Tennessee to teach and coach at Tennessee High School in Bristol. He coached basketball for 13 years- 12 for free--and took Tennessee High all the way to the state tournament two consecutive years. In 1950, he was the first coach to win a District I boys' basketball tournament after reorganization by the TSSAA.
Basketball wasn't Pierce's only sport. For 13 years, he coached an undefeated tennis team and started a track program which he coached for four years.
Pierce served seven years on the Bristol, Tennessee, School Board and 13 years on the Sullivan County School Board, often pushing for higher pay for teachers. He received many awards from the state of Tennessee, as well as civic groups, for his outstanding service to education.
Though still active in his support of education, Pierce retired from the school system to manage a Bristol bowling alley, Belmont Lanes, which he became sole owner of in 1974. He adapted the facility to accommodate the handicapped and worked to serve local schools, churches and civic organizations.
Pierce today is a loyal fan of Sullivan East High School. Now retired, he enjoys gardening and all sporting events.