The University of           

                               GO BIG ORANGE !!!                                    

The University of Tennessee, as the state's land grant university, draws the nickname of its athletic teams (Volunteers) from the name most associated with the state.
Tennessee acquired its name "The Volunteer State" in the early days of the nineteenth century in the War of 1812. At the request of President James Madison, Gen. Andrew Jackson, later President, mustered 1500 from his home state to fight the Indians and later the British at the Battle of New Orleans. The men never actually fought in battle and Jackson was so frustrated by the inactivity that he marched the men home at his own expense and his determined stance on their behalf earned him the nickname "Old Hickory."

The name became even more prominent in the Mexican War when Gov. Aaron V. Brown issued a call for 2800 men to battle Santa Ana and some 30,000 Tennesseans volunteered.

The dragoon uniform (right) worn by Tennessee regulars during that conflict is still seen adorning the color guard at UT athletic events.

The term "Volunteer State," as noted through these two events, recognizes the long-standing tendency of Tennesseans to go above and beyond the call of duty when their country calls. The name "Volunteers" is frequently shortened to "Vols" in describing Tennessee's athletic teams.

THE HILL

The Hill

UT   SCHOOL COLORS

School Colors

VOLUNTEER  NAVY

Volunteer Navy
In 1962 former Vol broadcaster George Mooney found a quicker and more exciting way to get to Neyland Stadium other than fighting the notorious Knoxville traffic. Mooney navigated his little runabout down the Tennessee River to the stadium and spawned what would later become the "Volunteer Navy." Today, approximately 200 boats of all shapes and sizes make up this giant floating tailgate party. Tennessee and the University of Washington are the only institutions with stadium adjacent to bodies of water.

NEYLAND  STADIUM

"Neyland Stadium . . .
It stands like a fortress, hard by the Tennessee River and in the distant shadows of the Smoky Mountains. Rising up to the Heavens, it dares you to conquer it. As imposing as it is in daylight, it is even more so when darkness falls. Miles away, a mere glance to the evening sky shows its colors, seemingly floating silently in air, standing guard over the structure, the town and the entire region . . . the colors being the letters V-O-L-S perched high atop its south end waiting and watching for its next opponent to feel the thunder generated inside this Madhouse on the River.

This is Neyland Stadium, one of the most feared and legendary locales in all of college football.When one stands on the field and looks around, the sight can be paralyzing. Row after row after row of seats angled so sharply, and so close to the field, it produces a feeling that all 102,854 patrons will be directly on top of you. In a sense, they are. Some stadiums' size intimidates; at others, it's the deafening, ear-splitting noise generated by the fans. At Neyland, a visiting team must contend with both. A Coliseum-like structure filled with an imposing sea of orange that will turn an otherwise beautiful day into a raging storm."
-- Christopher Gabriel

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE NEYLAND STADIUM

SMOKEY  'S ( HOWL ....OWOOOOOOOO)  

Smokey
After a student poll sponsored by the Pep Club revealed a desire to select a live mascot for the University, the Pep Club held a contest in 1953 to select a coon hound, a native breed of the state, as the mascot to represent the school. Announcements of the contest in local newspapers read, "This can't be an ordinary hound. He must be a Hound' Dog' in the best sense of the word."                                                                                        The late Rev. Bill Brooks entered his prize-winning blue tick coon hound, "Brooks' Blue Smokey," in the contest. At halftime of the Mississippi State game that season, the dogs were lined up on the old cheerleaders' ramp at Shields-Watkins Field. Each dog was introduced over the loudspeaker and the student body cheered for their favorite, with "Blue Smokey" being the last hound introduced. When his name was called, he barked. The students cheered and Smokey threw his head back and barked again. This kept going until the stadium was in an uproar and UT had found its mascot.
Rev. Brooks supplied UT with the line of canines until his death in 1986 when his wife, Mildred, took over the care taking role. She did so until 1994, when her brother and sister-in-law, Earl and Martha Hudson of Knoxville, took over responsibility for Smokey VII and eventually Smokey VIII, with Smokey IX now in the wings. Mrs. Brooks died in July 1997.
The dogs have led exciting lives. Smokey II was dog napped by Kentucky students in 1955 and later survived a confrontation with the Baylor Bear at the 1957 Sugar Bowl. Smokey VI, who suffered heat exhaustion in the 140 degree temperatures at the 1991 UCLA game, was listed on the Vol injury report until he returned later in the season. Smokey III compiled a 105-39-5 record and two SEC championships. Smokey VI, who passed away in 1991, was on the sidelines for three SEC championships. One of the most beloved figures in the state, Smokey is famous for leading the Vols out of the giant "T" prior to each home game. Please click HERE to see pictures of SMOKEY.
 

Smokey's Reigns Smokey 1953-1954 Smokey II 1955-1964 Smokey III 1965-1977 Smokey IV 1978-1979 Smokey V 1980-1983 Smokey VI 1984-1991 Smokey VII 1992-1994 Smokey VIII 1995-Present

The present Smokey (right), now entering his sixth season in 2000-2001, is eighth in the line of blue tick coon hounds and is appropriately called Smokey VIII. He is also the winningest Smokey having recorded a 54-8 (.871) record, two SEC titles and the 1998 national championship.

 UT     PRIDE OF THE SOUTHLAND BAND

University of Tennessee's Pride of the Southland Band
The University of Tennessee band was organized immediately after the Civil War when the University reopened. Since then, the enrollment in the band program has grown to more than 300 students (in all bands) from all colleges of the University.
Director of Bands, Dr. Gary Sousa, heads up a program which has maintained a long-standing reputation as one of the nation's finest musical organizations. The band staff includes Dr. Don Ryder, Associate Director of Bands and Drill Designer, along with Ed Powell, Assistant Director. Drum Major for 2000-2001 is Joe Christian, assisted by Brooke Rhea, and Head Majorette is Carrie DeLozier.
The band program is divided into several different units. The most famous of these units is the marching band. The full "Pride of the Southland Band," appears at all home football games and most out-of-town games before more than 850,000 spectators plus millions more on television.
The "Pride of the Southland" has represented the state of Tennessee at the Eisenhower, Johnson, Nixon, Carter, Reagan, Bush and Clinton Presidential Inaugurations and has appeared at the SEC Championship game, Rose Bowl, Astro Bluebonnet Bowl, Citrus Bowl, Gator Bowl, Hall of Fame Bowl, Liberty Bowl, Peach Bowl, Fiesta Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Orange Bowl and the Sugar Bowl. When the Marching Band takes the field, the crowd reaction truly indicates that it is not only the Pride of all Tennesseans, but the "Pride of the Southland."

Songs of Tennessee

Rocky Top
Copyright 1967 by House of Bryant Publications

Wish that I was on ol'Rocky Top, down in the Tennessee hills;
Ain't no fog or smoke on Rocky Top; Ain't no telephone bills.
Once I had a girl on Rocky Top, half bear, other half cat;
Wild as a mink, but sweet as soda pop; I still dream about that.

Rocky Top, you'll always be home sweet home to me.
Good ol'Rocky Top; Rocky Top Tennessee.

I've had years of cramped-up city life, trapped like a duck in a pen;
All I know is it's a pity life can't be simple again.
Corn won't grow at all on Rocky Top; dirt's too rocky by far;
That's why all the folks on Rocky Top get their corn from a jar.

Rocky Top, you'll always be home sweet home to me.
Good ol'Rocky Top; Rocky Top Tennessee.

Once two strangers climbed ol'Rocky Top, lookin' for a moonshine still;
Strangers ain't come down from Rocky Top; Reckon they never will.