This award is given to the student(s) who best exemplifies the standards of excellence set forth by Buck Jones. Buck is always willing to give of his time and to do whatever it takes to assist students in their professional development. Buck has an extraordinary relationship with all students, graduates, faculty and corporate sponsors that shows his passion for Partners in Sports. Buck has opened many doors to the sports industry and created opportunities for students to be successful in their endeavors. Buck is a true leader and an irreplaceable asset to the Sport Management program at The University of Tennessee. This award has been established to recognize his devotion to helping students and making Partners in Sports a career development organization.
Previous recipients of the Buck Jones Award for professional promise are:
| Year | Recipient(s) |
|---|---|
| 2002-03 | Molly Emmerich Shelly Shick |
| 2003-04 | Amber Scarbro |
| 2004-05 | Holly McDaniel |
| 2005-06 | Jordan Nelson |
| 2006-07 | Melissa Anderson |
| 2007-08 | Zach Franz Eddie Stinston |
| 2008-09 | Tara Reed Brandon Spurlock |
| 2009-10 | Sean Hensley Angie Taylor |
| 2010-11 | Hunter Baddour Dianna Rafferty |
| 2011-12 | Kayla Cargile Sarah Rodts |
| 2012-13 | Sara Mitchell Drew Sims |
| 2013-14 | Jessica Leifheit Don Mills |
| 2014-15 | Kayla Anthony Kelsie Saxe |
| 2015-16 | Sam Gilliam Jackson Martin |
| 2016-17 | Jordan Bearden Amanda Chastain Chandler Frumin |
| 2017-18 | Sydney Bunyan Ryan Martineau |
| 2018-19 | Emilee Howard Josh Lively |
| 2019-20 | Kenny Miller Grace Whiteley |
| 2020-21 | Bailey Alexander Sydney Snoddy |
| 2021-22 | Ally Lanier Bridget Wooleyhand |
| 2022-23 | Carly Orlowski Caroline Simpson |
| 2023-24 | Wes Turner Cayce Smith |