Dr. David Lee honored with Huntsville’s Star of Sports Award

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Gathered at the AHSAA State Wrestling Tournament at the Von Braun Center Friday, Huntsville native and longtime resident Dr. David Lee was honored with the second-ever Star of Sports Award from the City of Huntsville.

Lee fittingly accepted the award at the wrestling tournament, as he has been a champion (both on and off the mat) for the sport for the majority of his life.

The Star of Sports Award is given to Huntsville residents who display exemplary performance, sportsmanship, service, contribution and leadership. The recipient must also be an individual or team that:

• Has a unique or memorable moment, experience or career in sports
• Makes the Huntsville community better through sports
• Advances the mission of the Huntsville Sports Commission

About Dr. David Lee

Lee is the second recipient of the award, given by the Huntsville Sports Commisssion.

“David and I have been close friends since our high school playing days, and I’ve always admired his work ethic and athletic ability. Since Huntsville began hosting in 2008, he has done an outstanding job helping lead the Alabama High School State Wrestling Tournament. His ability to bring the wrestling community together in strong support of the tournament has made a lasting impact.”

Mark Russell, Executive Director, Huntsville Sports Commission

A member of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame, Lee is a Huntsville native who was a state champion wrestler for Huntsville High School under coach Tim Lull.

Lee went on to wrestle at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga where he wrestled varsity as a sophomore and placed 3rd in the Southern Conference Championship at 170 lbs.

After his sophomore year, he made the decision to give up wrestling to pursue his career goals. He transferred to Auburn University and received a BS in Biology, then went on to the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry, receiving his Doctorate of Optometry in 1988.

Lee returned to Huntsville and joined the optometry practice of Drs. Ralph Winton and Bill Sullins, which eventually became Eye Care Associates, where he still has his practice. Lee and his wife, Cathy, have three children.

Lee’s involvement in local sports includes:

• Coached with the Southern Youth Wrestling Organization from 1996-2004
• Has spearheaded fundraising efforts for the Huntsville High School Wrestling team
• Served as the Huntsville High Wrestling Booster Club president from 2005-2009
• Instrumental in getting the AHSAA wrestling tournament to Huntsville

Lee accepted this year’s award in a fitting location, at the Von Braun Center, which is hosting the AHSAA Wrestling Tournament all weekend (an event Lee helped bring to the city). That, to Lee, was a no-brainer.

“This is about giving back. I love the sport, it was big part of my life, so it evolved into me giving back and being involved in this tournament.

The Huntsville Sports Commission does a great job with this, because they are passionate about what they do also. I think sports, especially wrestling, have really grown here in Huntsville. The Huntsville Sports Commission highlights the sports so well in Huntsville and has been a great proponent for sports here, and made the sports scene more vibrant here in the valley.”

Dr. David Lee

Lee was not aware he was receiving the award until about an hour before the presentation at the tournament.

“It was kind of a shock—I think my kids knew about it. But I didn’t know until about an hour before it was presented to me that I was being given this award. I am honored. But, really I am just doing something I love, and I want to keep this going.”

Dr. David Lee

The organization making Huntsville a sports hub

The Huntsville Sports Commission was established in 2000, and since then has organized, recruited and managed numerous tournaments, events and competitions here in the Rocket City. Led by Mark Russell, the organization has brought some big tourism dollars into the city through hosting these events.

The organization helped bring in more than $50 million in revenue in 2024 alone.

Huntsville has hosted a wide array of sporting events through the HSC, including:

• Conference USA men’s and women’s basketball tournaments
• SEC gymnastics
• NCAA beach volleyball championships
• AHSAA soccer championships
• NCAA soccer
• AHSAA cross country
• NCSA swimming
• The American Junior Golf Tournament
• Rocket City Water Polo Tournament
• USTA Clay Court Tennis Championships
• 2025 ACCC Basketball Championships
• USA Paralympics Cycling
• ASUN Women’s Golf Championship

To find out more on the Huntsville Sports Commission — as well as upcoming events — check out their website.

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