Tim McGhee Named Chairman of the Board

ATLANTA (December 17, 2024) – The Atlanta Tipoff Club (ATOC) announced several leadership changes today, including Tim McGhee being named the organization’s Chairman of the Board, effective Jan. 1, 2025.

McGhee, a member of the ATOC Board of Directors since 2006 and founder of MSP Sports, a strategic consultancy that advises brands and properties in sponsorship and event marketing, replaces Barry Goheen, whose chairman term ended after 16 years but will remain on the board of directors.

“Tim McGhee’s deep experience and long-standing commitment to the Atlanta Tipoff Club make him the ideal leader to guide us into our next chapter,” Eric Oberman, president of the Atlanta Tipoff Club, said. “His passion for our mission and proven sponsorship and event marketing expertise will ensure we continue to grow and innovate. I want to thank Barry for his incredible leadership over the past 16 years and helping us grow into the organization we are today.”

“I’m honored to step into the role of Chairman of the Board for the Atlanta Tipoff Club,” McGhee said. “Building on Barry’s incredible legacy, I’m excited to work with our team to elevate further the organization and its impact on the basketball community.”

Joining McGhee and Oberman on the executive team is Bo Heiner, a 25-year marketing executive in Atlanta. The rest of the leadership team includes existing members Ron Hardnock (SVP, Business Planning & Analysis, Newell Brands) and Matt Hong, former COO, TNT Sports.

Three new board of directors will be joining in 2025, including Megan Fredrick (VP, Human Resources at Mativ), Charlie Henn (Partner at Kilpatrick Townsend & Stockton, LLP) and Jamie Kerr (22-year industry executive). 

The ATOC, founded in 1956, administers the Naismith Awards®, the most prestigious individual national honors in high school and college basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the family of Naismith Awards annually recognizes the most outstanding men’s and women’s high school and college basketball players and coaches and gives lifetime achievement awards to basketball contributors and college officials. 

Additionally, the ATOC annually recognizes top Georgia college players, coaches, and Atlanta high school basketball standouts.

The entire lineup of Naismith Awards includes:

  • Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy Women’s and Men’s College Player of the Year 
  • Werner Ladder Naismith Women’s and Men’s College Coach of the Year
  • Naismith Women’s and Men’s College Defensive Player of the Year 
  • Naismith Women’s and Men’s College Official of the Year (Lifetime Achievement)
  • Naismith Outstanding Contributors to Women’s and Men’s Basketball (Lifetime Achievement)
  • Jersey Mike’s Naismith Girls’ and Boys’ National High School Player of the Year 
  • Jersey Mike’s Naismith Girls’ and Boys’ National High School Coach of the Year 

###

Media Contact:

Mallory Hadaway
Atlanta Tipoff Club
mallory.hadaway@naismithtrophy.com
(256) 682-0599

ABOUT THE ATLANTA TIPOFF CLUB 

Founded during the 1956-57 season, the Atlanta Tipoff Club is committed to promoting the game of basketball and recognizing the outstanding accomplishments of those who make the game so exciting. The Atlanta Tipoff Club administers the Naismith Awards, the most prestigious national honors in all of college and high school basketball. Named in honor of Dr. James Naismith, inventor of the game of basketball, the family of Naismith Awards annually recognizes the most outstanding men’s and women’s college and high school basketball players and coaches. Other Naismith Awards are presented to the men’s and women’s college basketball defensive players of the year, as well as lifetime achievement awards to basketball officials and outstanding contributors to the game. UCLA’s Lew Alcindor received the first Jersey Mike’s Naismith Trophy in 1969, while the late Anne Donovan (Old Dominion) was the inaugural women’s recipient in 1983. Corporate partners of the Naismith Awards include AXIA Time, Jersey Mike’s Subs and Werner Ladder.