Baseball Legend Ed Given's Shocking Death: What This Means for His Legacy and the Game!

Tennessee baseball legend Ed Given passed away on Tuesday, March 24, at the age of 91, leaving behind a rich legacy in both athletics and sports media. Known as the University of Tennessee's oldest living letterwinner, Given played two seasons for the Volunteers in 1953 and 1954, marking the beginning of a lifelong connection to sports.

After his playing days concluded, Given transitioned into a career in sports media, which would span several decades. He started at the Jackson Sun while also contributing to the Nashville Banner. His notable influence in sports information began when he took on the role of Sports Information Director (SID) at Western Kentucky University and later at Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU). Over his 16 years at each institution, he became a respected figure in the field, helping to shape the way sports programs communicated with the public and the media.

Given's impact did not go unnoticed. He was inducted into the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Hall of Fame in 1998, shortly after his retirement from MTSU. In 2015, he was honored with an induction into the Tennessee Sports Writers Hall of Fame, a testament to his contributions to the sport and the community.

Throughout his life, Given was dedicated to his family, surviving by four sons—Kerry (Rhonda), Scott, Kyle (Melanie), and Paul (Prudence)—and one daughter, Lisa Spillman (Michael). He also leaves behind 11 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, two nephews, and a niece. The family has indicated that private memorial services will be held at a later date, and has requested that, in lieu of flowers, donations be directed to Providence Christian Academy.

Ed Given’s passing marks not only the loss of a devoted family man but also a significant figure in the Tennessee baseball community and the broader landscape of sports media. His contributions will be remembered by those who knew him personally and by the many lives he impacted through his work in sports information.