Veteran athletic director and author Joan Cronan is April luncheon speaker
Women in Philanthropy and Leadership will host its April Inspiring Women’s Luncheon on Thursday, April 14 at noon, featuring keynote speaker Joan Cronan. The event is sponsored by Litchfield Books. Tickets are $10 for WIPL members and $15 for nonmembers.
Cronan is the author of Sport is Life with the Volume Turned Up: Lessons Learned That Apply to Business and Life and served as the women’s athletic director for the University of Tennessee over the course of 28 years, building one of the most prominent and respected women’s athletics programs in the nation. Her book offers a refreshing and innovative perspective on strengthening performance and achieving success in both the business world and everyday life.
Cronan first joined the University of Tennessee from the College of Charleston in South Carolina, where she also served as the athletic director for 10 years and was later inducted into their institution’s hall of fame. In 1998, Cronan’s work earned her accord from the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame, as she was named Administrator of the Year. Other honors include chairing the 1991 Knoxville area United Way Fund Drive, serving as president of the Executive Women's Association, receiving the 1994 Toastmaster's International Communication and Leadership Award and earning the 1994 AOPi Citizen of the Year Award. In March of 1987, the Women's Basketball Coaches Association honored her hard work, dedication and success by presenting her with its leadership award.
She is a past president of the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, is active on the boards of First Tennessee Bank and the YMCA, and has served as vice chair of the Leadership Knoxville board. She also works closely with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Athletes in Action. A graduate of Louisiana State University, Cronan earned a Bachelor of Science in 1966 and a Master of Science in 1968, both in physical education. An avid golfer and tennis player, she was also ranked as high as second in the South in doubles and is a former state and Southern doubles champion.
Cronan lives in Knoxville, Tennessee. She and her late husband Tom, who passed away after a valiant battle with pancreatic cancer, have two daughters; Kristi (Mrs. Rhett Benner) and Stacey (Mrs. Kent Bristow), both 1994 graduates of UT; three grandsons, Chase Thomas, Reed Kent Bristow and Quinn Leighton Benner; and two granddaughters, Reese Lauren Benner and Larkin Ann Bristow.
The Inspiring Women's Luncheon will be held on campus in the Alford Ballroom, Atheneum Hall. For additional information, contact events@coastal.edu or call 843-349-5037.