KNOXVILLE _- A dozen items owned, worn and used by legendary former Tennessee basketball coach Ray Mears are being auctioned on Saturday, Jan. 26, 2013. Funds generated from the auction are going to the University of Tennessee’s Ray and Dana Mears Athletics Scholarship Endowment.
Case Antiques, Inc. Auctions & Appraisals is conducting the auction. The Mears items are grouped into Lot 511, which is expected to hit the auction block around 3 p.m. that day. Bidding is accepted via live in-person, absentee, phone and online.
The items include clothing – such as game-worn ties, a Tennessee coaching staff jacket, an orange sweater jacket, a white “Big Orange Country” windbreaker – a unique orange and blue pair of cowboy boots, two personalized briefcases, an orange-dyed leather monogrammed gym bag and an orange garment bag.
Mears served as Tennessee's head coach from 1962-77. His outstanding career at Tennessee included a school-record 278 victories, a .713 winning percentage, three SEC Championships and the development of several All-Americans. He passed away on June 11, 2007.
A complete description of auction Lot 511, including photographs of several items, can be accessed at the following link:
http://caseantiques.com/item/lot-511-collection-of-ut-basketball-coach-ray-mears-uniform-items/
Phone and absentee bid forms can be accessed at the following link:
http://caseantiques.com/buying/bidding-forms/
(E-mail Stan Crawley at wscrawley@earthlink.net)