Rick Nyman

Sports Director

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Rick Nyman grew up in Anniston, Alabama and attended the University of Alabama. His television career started at WJSU-TV in Anniston where he had the opportunity to cover SEC football with Alabama and Auburn. Anniston is just 20 minutes from the Talladega Speedway, so NASCAR was a big part of his sports coverage. Due to this he was able to interview Davey Allison, Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, and several other top-name NASCAR drivers.

Rick’s next television job was in Savannah, Georgia, where he covered basketball player Kwame Brown (now with the Washington Wizards), who later became the first ever high school player selected as the top pick in the NBA draft. He covered the PGA Tour’s annual swing thru Hilton Head and also had the opportunity of covering the Atlanta Falcons Super Bowl appearance in 1999 in Miami.

Rick especially enjoys all the atmosphere, tradition and drama of college football. He also likes profiling sports personalities and learning what drives them both on and off the field. If he’s not covering sports, he’s either watching Seinfield or David Letterman, playing golf, reading, or working out. What he enjoys about Chattanooga is the passion people have for sports. The mountainous region of Chattanooga reminds him of his hometown of Anniston, which also has big, beautiful trees and plenty of hills.

You can contact Rick at rnyman@wdef.com.

Articles

Friday Night High School Basketball

Friday High School Basketball Highlights Region Tourney: North Murray beats Calhoun 70-67 Region Tourney: Ringgold girls defeated Calhoun 66-38 Brainerd edges Tyner 59-58 McCallie over CCS 59-53

Vols Hope to Continue Home Magic Against Kentucky

Vols coach Rick Barnes hopes to continue his home mojo against Kentucky Saturday. He has never lost to the Cats in Knoxville. Kentucky coach John Calipari on the other hand, has a less than stellar mark at Thompson Boling Arena.…

Lakelyn Bouldin Scores 25 as UTC Beats Greensboro

(gomocs.com) Chattanooga senior Lakelyn Bouldin turned on the burners Thursday night at the McKenzie Arena to lead the Mocs to a 74-59 Southern Conference women’s basketball win over UNCG. UTC (6-16) improves to 5-3 in league play and are part…

Lady Vols Fall to 8th Ranked Miss State 72-55

(utsports.com) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- The No. 23/25 Lady Vols took a lead into the second quarter but couldn't hang on, falling to No. 8/8 Mississippi State on Thursday night in Thompson-Boling Arena, 72-55. Sophomore Rae Burrell led Tennessee (17-6, 7-3 SEC), scoring…

Top Ranked Cleveland Dodges East Hamilton’s Upset Bid

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The top ranked Cleveland basketball team gutted out a 52-48 victory over East Hamilton on Tuesday night at East Hamilton High School. The Blue Raiders trailed 30-25 at halftime. They were still down four going to the fourth quarter…

Vols Rally to Edge Alabama 69-68

(utsports.com) TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – 20-point outputs from senior Jordan Bowden and junior John Fulkerson, along with junior Yves Pons's second career double-double propelled the Tennessee men's basketball team past Alabama, 69-68, on Tuesday in Tuscaloosa. The win ended Tennessee's (13-9, 5-4…

Mocs Softball Opens New Season With High Expectations

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The Chattanooga Mocs softball team opens their new season this weekend. UTC has the preseason SoCon pitcher of the year in Celie Hudson, and the preseason SoCon player of the year in Ally Walker. No wonder they're picked to…

CFC Turning Pro For 2020 Season

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The CFC is turning pro. After a decade as a successful amateur soccer club, Chattanooga joins the NISA for their first full pro season. The team assembled in the Scenic City Monday, as they get ready for their opener…

Vols Hope to Solve Coleman Coliseum Hex

The Vols are riding a three game losing streak, and it might be hard to snap that skid in Tuscaloosa on Tuesday. Tennessee has won only four of their last 25 games at the Tide's Coleman Coliseum. Said head coach…

Dalton State Road Runners Running Wild With 21-1 Record

Dalton, GA-(WDEF-TV) Since Dalton State restarted their basketball program in 2014, they've already been to the NAIA tournament in Kansas City three times. They might make a fourth trip this season. They're currently ranked in the top ten, and they're…

Falcons Cutting Ties With Vic Beasley

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) - The Atlanta Falcons have cut ties with outside linebacker Vic Beasley, who led the NFL in sacks in 2016 but didn't come close to matching that production over the last three seasons. The decision announced…

Baylor Falls 44-41 to Chattanooga Christian

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Baylor forward Nick Kurtz poured in 20 points, but it wasn't enough as Chattanooga Christian beat the Red Raiders 44-41 on their home floor on Friday night. It was the second loss in-a-row for the Red Raiders following their…

Tyner Wins Top 10 Showdown Over Rival Howard 51-47

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) In a battle of top ten teams on Friday night, 6th ranked Tyner celebrated a 51-47 win over 10th ranked Howard. With the win, the Rams stayed perfect in district play this season. The Rams appeared to be in…

Chattanooga Christian Downs Baylor 44-41

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) Baylor forward Nick Kurtz poured in 20 points on Friday night, but it wasn't enough against Chattanooga Christian. The Chargers celebrated a 44-41 win over the Red Raiders on their home floor. It was the second loss in-a-row for…

Howard Edges Red Bank 55-53

Chattanooga, TN-(WDEF-TV) Howard edged Red Bank 55-53 in a district match-up on Thursday night at Howard. Reco Trimble put the Lions up three at halftime when he buried a shot just past half-court to beat the buzzer. Howard must quickly…

Mocs Softball Picked to Win Southern Conference

(gomocs.com) SPARTANBURG, S.C. --- Coming off the program’s 11th NCAA Tournament appearance in 2019, the Chattanooga Mocs softball team has been predicted to win the 2020 Southern Conference title, as voted on by league head coaches. The league office announced…

Mocs Coach Rusty Wright Earns One Year Contract Extension

(gomocs.com) UTC Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Mark Wharton announced a one-year contract extension for head football coach Rusty Wright today.  Wright posted a 6-6 record and third-place finish in the Southern Conference at 5-3 in 2019; his first…

Tennessee Names Former Vol Jay Graham as Running Backs Coach

(utsports.com) KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee football head coach Jeremy Pruitt announced the hire of former Tennessee star Jay Graham as running backs coach on Thursday. Graham has established himself as one of the country’s top mentors of running backs during stops…

Carolyn Jackson Going Into TSSAA Hall of Fame

Chattanooga-(WDEF-TV) The TSSAA announced their new Hall of Fame class Wednesday, and two local coaches were voted in. Bradley Central athletic director Turner Jackson, and former Brainerd girls coach Carolyn Jackson. They'll be inducted in April. We caught up with…

Ryan Montgomery Sparking Flames With More Than Dunks

Cleveland, TN-(WDEF-TV) Ryan Montgomery always brings the energy for the Lee basketball team with his dazzling dunks. But now the 6'6 senior is even more dangerous because he's bringing an all-around game. The former Chattanooga Central standout is a big…

Aggies Own the Boards in 63-58 Win Over Tennessee

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Wendell Mitchell scored 23 points to lead Texas A&M to a 63-58 victory over Tennessee. Quenton Jackson added 11 points for the Aggies (10-9, 4-3 Southeastern Conference), and Emanuel Miller pulled down 12 rebounds. John Fulkerson…

Dale Pruitt Leaving Dade Co For Marion Co Job

Dale Pruitt has resigned after one season as Dade County's head football coach. He's leaving the Wolverines to take the head coaching gig at Marion County. Dale of course is the father of Tennessee Vols head coach Jeremy Pruitt. Going…

CFC Release Spring NISA Schedule

(press release) Chattanooga, TN ( January 27th, 2020)-- Soccer in the Scenic City is fast approaching,  Chattanooga Football Club announces its NISA schedule for the Spring season. Fans will enjoy seven home games in “Fort” Finley Stadium starting March 14th…

Big Third Quarter Powers UConn Over Lady Vols

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Crystal Dangerfield scored 14 points and No. 3 UConn used a dominant third quarter to beat 23rd-ranked Tennessee 60-45 on Thursday night _ the first matchup in 13 years between the two teams whose rivalry dominated…

Mocs Post Dominating Win Over the Citadel 92-69

(gomocs.com) CHATTANOOGA---Junior Ramon Vila’s 17 points led five Chattanooga Mocs in double figures in tonight’s 92-69 triumph over The Citadel in McKenzie Arena Wednesday night. He and his amigos broke open a 12-point halftime margin to cruise to the Southern…