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Tech memorializes distinguished alumnus, community leader with naming of Noble Cody Circle
Members of the Cody family pictured with Tech President Phil Oldham, First Lady Kari
Oldham, President Emeritus Bob Bell, former First Lady Gloria Bell, and longtime family
friend Lewis Matheny at the newly named Noble Cody Circle.
Tennessee Tech University posthumously honored a distinguished alumnus, community
leader and Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame inductee with the naming of a street
on Tech’s campus in his memory.
The semi-circle off McGee Boulevard outside Tech’s Hooper Eblen Center will now be
known as Noble Cody Circle in memory of Noble Cody, who passed away in 2016. Members
of the Cody family, friends and admirers attended a naming ceremony and reception
memorializing Cody’s legacy.
A World War II veteran and successful local business leader, Cody is remembered for
his decades of service to Tech and the Upper Cumberland community. Cody served as
assistant basketball coach at Tech from 1951 to 1954, was a local principal and city
council member and served two terms as Mayor of Algood. He was inducted into the Tennessee
Tech Sports Hall of Fame in 1989 and was appointed by then-Governor Don Sundquist
to the Tennessee Board of Regents in 2000. Cody also served as a member of the Tennessee
Tech Foundation Board of Directors.
“We are here today to honor Noble Cody and his life of service to his university,
his community, his state and his country,” said Tech President Phil Oldham in remarks
at the event. “Noble was a lifelong supporter of education and of Tennessee Tech.
He continually fought for state funding for the university. He was especially passionate
about Tech athletics, and most especially basketball. His season tickets were front
row, center court. He knew every coach and every player. He never missed a game, and
he backed up his passion with financial contributions."
Tech President Phil Oldham delivers remarks at the naming ceremony for Noble Cody Circle.
“I want to say thank you to the family for the support your parents and you have given
to Tennessee Tech,” added President Oldham.
Tech President Emeritus Bob Bell and longtime family friend Lewis Matheny also offered
tributes.
Family members in attendance at the naming ceremony included Jeanie Holder, Preston
Cody, Tracy and Audrey Cody, Lindsey Cody, Sam and Jamie Cody, Michael and Jen Cody,
Kelly Wright, and Cody Wright.
Cody’s wife of 64 years, Jean Cody, passed away in 2021.
