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LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The man for all seasons, especially when it came to sports, will be celebrated on Saturday afternoon in his hometown. It’s your chance to help carry out attorney and sports-talk show host Keith Hatfield’s final wishes of a celebration of life opposed to a time of mourning.
The event runs from 1pm to 5pm with the celebration of life ceremony set for 5pm Saturday at the La Follette Country Club.
Keith Hatfield (top photo) regularly appeared on the Tony Basillio Show in Knoxville and had a Friday afternoon gig, Holding Court, on WLAF until COVID-19 hit.
Hatfield died following a brief illness. He passed away at a Knoxville hospital earlier this month. Listen HERE.
An attorney by trade, the Campbell High Alum from the Class of 1989 was bitten by the sports bug at an early age. It didn’t matter the sport, he knew it. The former Cougar played baseball for CCHS though it always appeared that basketball was his true love when it came to talking sports.
“Keith Hatfield is an unforgettable guy. I’ve met tons of people and have never known anyone quite like him. He loved his community and life. He will be sorely missed. My condolences to his family and friends,” said Tony Basilio, host of The Tony Basilio Show.
Hatfield was an unique individual. Former Tennessee basketball coach Kevin O’Neill was one of Hatfield’s closest friends. The well traveled college and NBA head coach and Hatfield talked regularly. O’Neill was a regular on WLAF’s Holding Court with Hatfield.
“Hatfield was a dear friend whom I knew from our childhood days; our homes were on Rose Hill. He was so intelligent. Our last three text exchanges were about (how appropriate) the Cincinnati Reds and professional wrestling,” said attorney Joe Ayers.
“It’s generally not good news when your phone rings really early on a Sunday morning. That was the case for me yesterday when the call of Hatfield’s passing came in. I knew he was in the hospital and was hoping for the best, but I wasn’t expecting this call,” said Jim Freeman of WLAF.
“Hatfield was brilliant. It was amazing the contacts he had in the sports world; coaches, players, writers. He would captivate you with his interviewing of a guest. My favorite Hatfield interview was a couple of years back with legendary Vol basketball player Rodney Woods,” Freeman added.
Keith Hatfield was 50-years- old. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 09/24/2021-6AM)
Keith
Hatfield (top photo) regularly appeared on the Tony Basillio Show in Knoxville and
had a Friday afternoon gig, Holding Court, on WLAF until COVID-19 hit.
Hatfield
died following a brief illness. He passed away at a Knoxville hospital Sunday
at 6am. Listen HERE.
An
attorney by trade, the Campbell High Alum from the Class of 1989 was bitten by
the sports bug at an early age. It didn’t matter the sport, he knew it. The
former Cougar played baseball for CCHS though it always appeared that
basketball was his true love when it came to talking sports.