JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Jan. 31, 2025) – The East Tennessee State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics announced on Friday that they will retire Buccaneer Hall of Famer Tommy Woods' jersey prior to the ETSU men's basketball game versus Samford on Saturday, Feb. 8 inside Freedom Hall.

Woods, who wore the number 22 from 1964-67, was the program's first African American player. Playing for ETSU's legendary men's basketball coach Madison Brooks from 1963-67, Woods – like so many others in his generation – was faced with the challenge of changing culture and championing the process of integration, while also excelling at the game he loved. And though he was faced with opposition in those early years at ETSU and throughout the South as he traveled with his teammates, the subsequent years witnessed Woods overcome those obstacles to become a team captain and a fan favorite, as well as a source of hope and pride for those who followed the Buccaneers' program.

"This is such a great honor, especially to be up there with all the Buccaneer greats who were much better than me," said Woods. "When I first arrived at ETSU it was rough, but my teammates helped tremendously and kept me grounded. There wouldn't have been the number 22 if it weren't for those guys. I look forward to reminiscing with my teammates next weekend. Guys like Gary Martin, Richard Arnold, Bill Wilson, Larry Woods, and Mike Kretzer all played a key part in my time at ETSU. We had fun and relied on each other and played together. ETSU was very loyal to me, and I appreciate everything they have done for me. I want to say thank you to everyone for putting this together and I can't wait to get up there next week."
 
Woods finished his career at ETSU with the record for most rebounds all-time (1,034) and rebounds per game (16.2 rpg). In fact, his rebounds per game average of 16.2 is a full 4.3 rebounds better than any other ETSU player since that time, and he also set the single-game record with a remarkable 38 rebounds against Middle Tennessee State University during the 1964-65 season. All of those marks still stand today. 
 
"Tommy Woods is undoubtedly one of the all-time great players here at ETSU," said ETSU head coach Brooks Savage. "The impact he made on and off the court for our basketball program, the university, and this community paved the way for future generations of players, and his play on the court left a lasting impression for Buc fans still 50+ years later. Our team is honored to be part of this special day for Tommy and his family."
 
Overall, Woods played in 64 games for the Buccaneers and scored 979 points. Woods was a two-time all-Ohio Valley Conference selection.
 
"We are excited to celebrate this honor with Tommy, his family and his teammates next weekend," said ETSU Athletic Director Dr. Richard Sander. "Having played against Tommy, he was a tough competitor and a great player. His rebounding skills were just like Dennis Rodman. This is such a well-deserved honor for a trailblazer whose legacy will always be part of our program."
 
Following his time at ETSU, Woods played one season in South America and returned to the states where he played one season in the ABA with the Kentucky Colonels. After his basketball career, Woods served two years in the Army where he rose in the ranks as an E-5 Sergeant. Woods then spent 22 years working as a police officer in Louisville and six years working security for the Mayor of Louisville. During that time, Woods coached at Lincoln Elementary School.
 
In 1996, Woods was inducted into the ETSU Athletic Hall of Fame and the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2021. In 2012, the ETSU Department of Intercollegiate Athletics named the Buccaneers' men's basketball locker room in honor of Tommy Woods, while he was the first recipient of the Woods-Russaw Trailblazer Award in 2021.
 
To purchase tickets for the Feb. 8 game versus Samford, please call the ETSU Ticket Office at 423-439-3878 or visit ETSUTickets.com.
 
For more information on Buccaneer men's basketball, visit ETSUBucs.com and click on the men's basketball tab.