By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Union City, Tenn.—Long-time Union City Messenger Sports Editor Mike Hutchens has been hired to helm the newly-created position of Union City Schools Director of Communications.
Hutchens has been with The Messenger for 35 years and will be inducted into the Tennessee Sports Writers Hall of Fame in July. He, along with Robin Francis, has been broadcasting a sports commentary program on WENK/WTPR for several years.
Hutchens said he will begin his new job July 2.
He told WENK/WTPR that he sees his new position as a good fit, in which he can use the media contacts he has made over the years to promote the Union City School system. “This job will be on the cutting edge. It’s a totally new position and not too many school systems have a person in that position. Dyersburg and Graves Co. are the only ones in our area that do.”
Hutchens said in his new position, he’ll be promoting all things Union City Schools, including all of its sports teams, student achievements, honors, test scores, faculty achievements, administration, district projects and more. He said he’ll also be producing a regular newsletter to keep the public informed of Union City Schools’ activities.
Hutchens gave kudos to Director of Schools Wes Kennedy, who he said “has set the tone for the school system. He’s a wonderful leader and a selfless leader.”
“I’ve known Mr. Kennedy for more than 20 years,” he said, “and he’s had great passion as a family man, a teacher, a head football coach, a principal and now as the director of Union City schools,” Hutchens said. “I’ve made a ton of contacts and dealt with several school systems in 35 years, and a lot of people constantly ask me about the many good things going on at Union City.”
Hutchens said, “I’m excited about the job, about the challenges ahead. I have many wonderful memories from my job covering sports for The Messenger to carry with me to my new adventures and I’m looking forward to the new adventures.”
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