NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – A former Tennessee Titan is working to open an education facility in Nashville that would give kids an education with a focus not just on sports, but also on the careers surrounding sports.
The man behind the proposed Music City Academy is no stranger to bringing miracles to Music City. Kevin Dyson scored the most memorable touchdown in Tennessee Titans history: The Music City Miracle.
Now 26 years later, Dyson is looking to make a legendary play in education by opening Music City Academy.
“It’s a school essentially what 12-year-old Kevin would have wanted to attend,” Dyson said. “I think one of the things I’ve learned in my experiences, student engagement, student attendance, some of that stuff… it’s hard.”
The former Titan said that sports are the ultimate connector, so he plans to use sports to connect kids to education.
He realizes many high school kids are not “one percenters,” meaning not all of them will make it to professional athletics. According to AcademicAthlete.org, just 1.6% of football players who go on to play in college will turn pro. That number shrinks to just 1.2% for basketball players looking to get into the league.
So, Dyson says he will guide the 99% to other opportunities, with sports in mind.
“Marketing, the physical therapy, the medical side of it, the entertainment side of it, the entrepreneurial side of it, the business side of sport, and to be able to provide that where kids to have a passion in it and provide them a purpose in it,” Dyson said.
As an educator of more than 20 years, Dyson and co-founder Bobbe Hill have done their homework. They have both traveled around the country checking out schools that would resemble their project.
“I’ve been in New York. I’ve been to California, been to Florida and Utah,” he said.
The athlete said they are waiting to hear back after turning in a letter of intent and application to start a school in the state.
“I’m learning through a lot of politics. A lot of policies and procedures,” he said. “Things have changed in my mindset of how to really build something that’s unique and special to the city.”
From a kid raised by a single mom in Utah, to the possibility of starting his own school in Nashville, would be a miracle. But creating miracles is something Kevin Dyson is used to.
“We learn different. Kids learn different right now, and I think I want to provide something that’s a little bit different from your traditional sense,” Dyson said.
He also said he is looking at three different locations for his school. Pending approval from the state, the educator hopes to open up with just a 9th grade class in August of 2027 and grow from there.
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