Nashville Mayor David Briley has declared Friday, April 5 “Rick Byrd Day,” in honor of Belmont’s men’s basketball head coach who announced his retirement Monday.
“I, David Briley, 8th Mayor the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, do hereby proclaim Friday, April, 5, 2019, as Rick Byrd Day,” Briley wrote in “A Proclamation Proclaiming Rick Byrd Day in Nashville.”
In honor of the occasion, Belmont is encouraging fans to wear sweater vests in honor of Byrd.
“To celebrate this special day, fans, friends and admirers of coach Byrd from around the country are encouraged to wear a sweater vest tomorrow in honor of hisiconic sideline uniform,” according to an email from Belmont President Dr. Robert Fisher.
The day will honor Byrd’s success in his 33-year career at Belmont, which included 800 wins, seven Division I conference tournament championships and eight NCAA Tournament appearances.
Byrd, however, will not be in town for the festivities. The newly retired coach will be in Minneapolis to watch the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four, according to Fisher’s email.
“You can make sure he experiences this outpouring of support by posting photos and messages of thanks on social media using the hashtag #rickbyrdday,” Fisher said.