ALCOA, TN (Sept. 2019) – Residents and natives of Alcoa, Tennessee recently celebrated the city’s 100th year of incorporation with a parade and recognition of homegrown natives who have made contributions to the city.
The parade was the first for Alcoa High School since the 1970s. Participants included all four Alcoa schools, the Alcoa Fire Department, Alcoa Police Department, Alcoa Public Works Department, the National Guard, and the Shriners.
Two icons from Alcoa City School’s history, Albert Davis, Sr. and Dick Abbott were the Grand Marshalls for the Centennial and Homecoming Parade.
Albert “Sonny” Davis, Sr. was among the first students to integrate Maryville High School.
Davis was an All-County, All-State and All-American football player in 1965 and 1966. In 1965, Davis became the first African-American to participate in integrated sports in Blount County. Davis along with Lester McClain was of the first African-Americans recruited to the University of Tennessee.
But extenuating circumstances left Davis to continue his career at Tennessee State University, and the Philadelphia Eagles in the National Football League, and with the New York Stars and Honolulu Hawaiians of the World Football League.
Davis is a member of the Knoxville Sports Hall of Fame, Blount County Sports Hall of Fame, and the Alcoa High School Athletic Hall of Fame. Davis is a life-long resident of Blount County.
