HealthFitness Associate Sheila Anderson inducted into Tennessee Hall of Fame
Published by HealthFitness on May 14th, 2024
HealthFitness’ Shelia Anderson, Lead Recreation Specialist, thought she was entering the basketball gym at the Walton Family Whole Health and Fitness Center for some Sunday evening team building.
Her antenna went up when she saw her husband decked out in a big orange polo and her daughter in an orange headband, just seconds before the shouts of surprise reverberated through the rafters. The actual purpose of the gathering was to celebrate Anderson’s (nee Frost) upcoming induction into the University of Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame.
The gym was blanketed in Tennessee orange, the balloon art was resplendent, and the games were basketball themed – as were the cakes.
“This is a massive accomplishment, and everyone was so proud,” said Dani Shamburger, Lead Member Experience Specialist. “We wanted to show her how excited we were.”
Anderson was moved by the recognition from her colleagues, particularly since she only started her position in December.
“What a culture here at HealthFitness,” she said. “To see the way they went above and beyond for me meant the world.”
Anderson’s world-wide basketball journey began on her parents’ 138-acre farm in Pulaski, Tenn. There, Anderson played countless basketball games against her three older brothers and sister. Anderson, who grew to 6-foot-4, is the second shortest of her siblings.
“They had no mercy on me,” she said. “For a long time, all my shots went backwards. I had to figure it out.”
It didn’t take her long. By her junior year in high school, she was recruited by the late, legendary Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt. In the 1980s, the 1990s and into the 2000s, the Lady Vols were the preeminent program in college basketball.
Summitt was the coach at Tennessee from 1974-2012. At the time of her retirement, her 1,098 wins were the most in college basketball history.
“She was able to get it out of you when you didn’t think you had it in you,” Anderson said. “She knew what buttons to push, but it was clear she cared about you. If it wasn’t for Pat, I wouldn’t be who I am.”
Anderson helped lead the Lady Vols to their first two national championships in 1987 and 1989. She is one of only six Lady Vols with 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. She was a three-time all SEC selection.
Anderson played overseas as a professional and in the now defunct American Basketball League, one of the precursors to the WNBA. She also coached at the college and high school levels; to this day, she still trains individual players.
In 2023, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) selected Anderson to be part of that year’s Class of Women’s Legends. Only one athlete from each school is recognized per year.
Anderson said that returning to Knoxville for the induction ceremony brought back all the feelings of her college days.
“Once you’re a Lady Vol, it’s in your blood,” she said. “When you come back, it’s like you hardly ever left the locker room.”
Anderson’s husband, son and daughter were in attendance for the induction. Her son, Tucker Anderson, 6-foot-9, who had entered the transfer portal, committed the next day to Utah State. Tucker, a rising sophomore, was the Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year at Central Arkansas, where he averaged 14.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
During her short speech, she praised her coach, her teammates, her family and her late parents.
“My dad was the one who was tough and helped prepare me to handle Pat,” she said. “My mom always told me to be humble and let my actions speak louder than words.”
After a recent trip to Utah State to support her son followed by induction ceremony, Anderson is happy to be back home where she is thriving in her role at the Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness Center.
As the Lead Recreational Specialist, Anderson takes a hands-on approach – literally. She has tried a boxing class with her daughter and is a visible presence at the center making sure there are a variety of games and activities to challenge members.
“The energy at the center since it opened is amazing,” she said. “I love my job.”
Her antenna went up when she saw her husband decked out in a big orange polo and her daughter in an orange headband, just seconds before the shouts of surprise reverberated through the rafters. The actual purpose of the gathering was to celebrate Anderson’s (nee Frost) upcoming induction into the University of Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame.
The gym was blanketed in Tennessee orange, the balloon art was resplendent, and the games were basketball themed – as were the cakes.
“This is a massive accomplishment, and everyone was so proud,” said Dani Shamburger, Lead Member Experience Specialist. “We wanted to show her how excited we were.”
Anderson was moved by the recognition from her colleagues, particularly since she only started her position in December.
“What a culture here at HealthFitness,” she said. “To see the way they went above and beyond for me meant the world.”
Anderson’s world-wide basketball journey began on her parents’ 138-acre farm in Pulaski, Tenn. There, Anderson played countless basketball games against her three older brothers and sister. Anderson, who grew to 6-foot-4, is the second shortest of her siblings.
“They had no mercy on me,” she said. “For a long time, all my shots went backwards. I had to figure it out.”
It didn’t take her long. By her junior year in high school, she was recruited by the late, legendary Lady Vols coach Pat Summitt. In the 1980s, the 1990s and into the 2000s, the Lady Vols were the preeminent program in college basketball.
Summitt was the coach at Tennessee from 1974-2012. At the time of her retirement, her 1,098 wins were the most in college basketball history.
“She was able to get it out of you when you didn’t think you had it in you,” Anderson said. “She knew what buttons to push, but it was clear she cared about you. If it wasn’t for Pat, I wouldn’t be who I am.”
Anderson helped lead the Lady Vols to their first two national championships in 1987 and 1989. She is one of only six Lady Vols with 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. She was a three-time all SEC selection.
Anderson played overseas as a professional and in the now defunct American Basketball League, one of the precursors to the WNBA. She also coached at the college and high school levels; to this day, she still trains individual players.
In 2023, the Southeastern Conference (SEC) selected Anderson to be part of that year’s Class of Women’s Legends. Only one athlete from each school is recognized per year.
Anderson said that returning to Knoxville for the induction ceremony brought back all the feelings of her college days.
“Once you’re a Lady Vol, it’s in your blood,” she said. “When you come back, it’s like you hardly ever left the locker room.”
Anderson’s husband, son and daughter were in attendance for the induction. Her son, Tucker Anderson, 6-foot-9, who had entered the transfer portal, committed the next day to Utah State. Tucker, a rising sophomore, was the Atlantic Sun Freshman of the Year at Central Arkansas, where he averaged 14.5 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.
During her short speech, she praised her coach, her teammates, her family and her late parents.
“My dad was the one who was tough and helped prepare me to handle Pat,” she said. “My mom always told me to be humble and let my actions speak louder than words.”
After a recent trip to Utah State to support her son followed by induction ceremony, Anderson is happy to be back home where she is thriving in her role at the Walton Family Whole Health & Fitness Center.
As the Lead Recreational Specialist, Anderson takes a hands-on approach – literally. She has tried a boxing class with her daughter and is a visible presence at the center making sure there are a variety of games and activities to challenge members.
“The energy at the center since it opened is amazing,” she said. “I love my job.”
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