CLEVELAND, Ga. (February 14, 2026) – Truett McConnell University Athletics officially dedicated Colby Tilley Court inside the Benjamin F. Brady Arena on Saturday, honoring one of the most influential figures in program history with a weekend celebration that recognized his championship legacy and lifelong impact on student-athletes.

The recognition began Friday evening with a special dinner attended by former players, colleagues, and members of the TMU family. The weekend continued Saturday with an on-court ceremony between the women's and men's basketball games, where Tilley was surrounded by family, friends, former players, and current members of the program for the official unveiling.

Tilley began his coaching career at Truett McConnell, leading the women's basketball program from 1976 to 1985 and compiling a remarkable 234–46 overall record, good for an .836 winning percentage. His teams captured five consecutive Georgia State Championships from 1978 through 1982 and made four national tournament appearances. The 1979–80 season stands as the most successful in program history, as TMU posted a 36–2 record and claimed the NJCAA National Championship, the only national title in Truett McConnell athletics history.

A six-time Region 17 Coach of the Year and the Atlanta Tip-Off Club Junior College Coach of the Year in his final season in Cleveland, Tilley built a standard of excellence that continues to shape the program today.
 
Following his tenure at Truett McConnell, Tilley started the women's basketball program at Auburn University at Montgomery, posting a 218–74 record in nine seasons. He later spent 17 seasons as the head coach at Kennesaw State University, finishing his career as the program's all-time winningest coach with 290 victories while guiding the Owls through their transition from NCAA Division II to Division I.
 
An inaugural member of the TMU Athletics Hall of Fame, Tilley is also a member of the Auburn Montgomery Hall of Fame, the Kennesaw State University Hall of Fame, and the Northeast Georgia Sports Hall of Fame.
 
Saturday's ceremony celebrated more than victories and championships. It honored a legacy defined by leadership, faith, and a commitment to developing student-athletes on and off the court. The impact of the dedication will extend into the future, as 100 percent of the funds raised through the court naming campaign will go directly toward the TMU Women's Basketball scholarship endowment, creating opportunities for future generations of Bears.
 
With the unveiling complete, TMU Athletics officially welcomes fans, alumni, and players, past, present and future, to Colby Tilley Court.