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Below are some of The University of Tennessee's
football traditions.
Smokey, the Blue-tick Coon Hound
During 1953 a student poll proclaimed a yearning for a live mascot. So contest was held for a coon hound, not just and regular hound dog it had to be a 'Houn'Dawg'. During a halftime show the contest was held. The dogs were lined up on a ramp and announced over the loudspeaker. It came down to the last hound. Smokey, a prize-winning Blue Tick coon Hound bread by the late Rev. W.C. Brooks was announced and Smokey barked when he heard his name and the crowd cheered and Smokey howled again this went on until the entire crowd was in a roar. A total of Eight Blue-Tick coon hounds have been donated by the late Rev. W. C. Brooks. Mrs. Brooks continued the caretaking role after Rev. Brooks passed away in 1986. 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 carrying on the banner of the Smokey lineage. Mrs. Brooks died in July 1997.
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. The dogs have led exciting lives. Smokey II was dognapped 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 Vols 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. Smokey VIII is the winningest Smokey, having compiled a record of 91-22 (.805), with two SEC titles and the 1998 national championship. The newest Smokey, began his post at the 2004 Peach Bowl.
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Smokey 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 |
(1995-2003) |
| Smokey IX |
(2004-Pres.) |
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Bluetick Coonhounds: Why We Love Them:
There is greatness in all dogs and all breeds. There is a quality about a blue tick coonhound that just puts a catch in your heart. It may be the incongruity of the breed - here is a dog with the endurance and fortitude to trail and track all night, the intelligence and instinct to follow a lead across miles of unfamiliar mountains, and the uncanny ability to turn up the next morning - with torn pads and ears - in the same spot where the hunt began, waiting stoically for his human to find him.
Seemingly imperturbable with their doleful expressions and simple needs, they are also almost heartbreakingly vulnerable - as if their contentment with humble fare is a defense against the possibility that there may never be more offered. But nothing compares to the adoring look in those houndly eyes, nor the profound sigh of bliss when that large head is lowered onto your lap to receive gentle petting. Euphoric appreciation attends every meal placed before a coon hound, and there is not another dog we know who can appreciate with such utter abandon the exquisite comfort of a soft, fleecy bed
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In these gentle giants' demeanor there are recognition and abject gratitude for the love they inspire in a human heart. Coonhounds bond in a deep and undemanding manner. Their easy-going personalities help them settle into the rhythms of home life easily and naturally, and they are perfect examples of how to make the most of any situation - from down time to play time - no dog sleeps better, bounds into the car more joyously, endures more patiently, or loves more faithfully than a Bluetick coonhound.
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Pride of the Southland Marching Band
The University of Tennessee Marching Band was formed
after the Civil War when the University reopened. Over the years it has
gained National respect by representing the State of Tennessee at the last
Ten consecutive Presidential inaugurations. They have made over 50
television appearances in the last 28 years. The Band has appeared in just
about every Bowl game there is including: The Rose Bowl and The Sugar Bowl.
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Nickname
"The University of Tennessee acquired the nickname Volunteers from the
early 19th century when Andrew Jackson assembled large armies from his
home state to fight Indians and later the British at the Battle of New
Orleans and Tennessee became known as "The Volunteer State".
The name became even more prestigious when Gov. Aaron V. Brown issued
a call for 2,800 men to battle Santa Ana and about 30,000
volunteered. The Volunteers is usually shortened to....
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Running through the T
In 1964 Doug Dickey took over as coach of the
Vols and major tradition was started. He moved his team's bench from the
east side to the west side so his team could enter the field through a
gigantic "T" formed by the "Pride of the Southland"
Marching Band. When the Vols relocated their locker room under the north
stands the "T" made a turn from east-west to North-South.
The "T" has been peformed a few times outside of Neyland.
Notably at Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Vanderbilt Stadium, and at the 1986
and 1991 Sugar bowls.
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Voice of the Vols
 John
Ward and Bill Anderson have ended their careers as National Champions
in 1998! Who could ask for more? John Ward served the Vol Network for
31+ years and will be missed by everyone. A new era begins with Bob
Kesling and Tim Priest. Both are former vols and for the first time
in UT history the broadcasting team will have a person on sidelines,
Jeff Francis another former Vol! In 1995 the broadcast level of the
press box was named in honor of John Ward.
John Ward continues to be part of the vol community
by helping the broadcasting camp and speaking engagements. |
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The current Voice of the Vols:
BOB KESLING, Director of Broadcasting/play-by-play
Bob Kesling was named the Director of Broadcasting at the University of Tennessee and the lead announcer of the Vol Network in the fall of 1999.
Kesling is the radio play-by-play voice for Tennessee football and basketball on the 80-plus station Vol Network. Kesling also hosts "The
Phillip Fulmer Show," "The Bruce Pearl Show" and "The Pat Summitt" television shows. On Monday nights, he is the host of "Vol Calls" the weekly radio call-in show on the Vol Network.
In addition to his on the air work for the Vol Network, he represents the University of various events and functions throughout the southeast and the nation. In his role as Director of Broadcasting, Kesling oversees production of radio and television programming for the University. He also works with UT student-athletes to help them develope communications and public relations skills.
In 2002, the National Association of Sportscasters and Sportswriters named Kesling as the Sportscaster of the Year in Tennessee. It was the fourth time Kesling won the Tennessee Sportscaster of the Year Award.
Prior to joining UT, Kesling was known throughout the Southeast for his work with Jefferson-Pilot Sports on its SEC football and basketball television package. From 1989-1998 Kesling was a sideline reporter and play-by-play announcer for JP Sports.
In addition to his work with Jefferson-Pilot Sports, Kesling was also the sports director at WBIR-TV in Knoxville from 1980 until he joined the Vol Network in 1999.
TIM PRIEST, Football Color Analyst
Tim Priest, a former Vol All-SEC defensive back, will team with Kesling for his eighth year in the broadcast booth as the Network's color analyst. Priest was captain of UT's 11-1 1970 team and he is the Vols all-time career interceptions leader with 18. A three-year letterman from 1968-70, Priest was a starter on the Vols 1969 SEC championship team. An outstanding student, he was a GTE Academic All-American, Academic All-SEC in 1969 and 1970 and a recipient of a NCAA Post-Graduate Scholarship Award. On the broadcasting side, Priest was a longtime co-host of the syndicated Football Finals radio show and a color commentator for Tennessee pay-per-view games.
EFF FRANCIS, Football Sideline Reporter
Former Vol signal-caller Jeff Francis is in his eighth season as the Vol Network's sideline reporter. Francis ranks as the Vols fourth all-time passing yardage leader. A three-year starter at quarterback from 1986-88, he threw for 5867 career yards and 31 touchdowns. He finished his career in 1988 as the Vols all-time career passing yardage leader. Francis was named Most Valuable Player for his performance in the 1986 Liberty Bowl versus Minnesota and helped guide Tennessee to a 10-2-1 record and a victory over Indiana in the Peach Bowl as a junior. A four-year letterman, Francis was a backup quarterback on Tennessee's 1985 SEC championship team. He resides in Knoxville and is in the banking business. |
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
stadiums adjacent to bodies of water.
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School Colors: Orange and White
The colors Orange and White were selected by Charles
Moore, a member of the first football team in 1891, and were later approved
by a vote of the student body.
The colors were those of the common American daisy which grew in profusion
on The Hill. Tennessee football players did not appear in the now-famous
Orange jerseys until the season-opening game in 1922. Coach M.B. Banks'
Vols won that game over Emory and Henry by a score of 50-0.
The school colors are utilized in Tennessee's famous checkerboard endzones
at Neyland Stadium. The unique design accompanied coach Doug Dickey’s
arrival in 1964 when the Vols played Boston College. The colorful and
popular end zones were a part of Tennessee football until 1968 when the
natural sod was dug out and artificial turf was put in its place. In
1989, with Dickey as athletic director, brought the trademake endzones
back when workers installed the orange and white end zones and the interlocking
UT at the 50-yard line in the summer of 1989. They were both completely
inlaid with contrasting colored turf rather than painted turf. The Orange & White
checkerboard end zones continued when the Vols returned to natural grass
in 1994.
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Rocky Top
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Wish that I was on old Rocky Top
Down in the Tennessee hills.
Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top
Ain't no telephone bills.
Once I had a girl on Rocky Top
Half bear, the other half cat,
Wild as a mink, but sweet as soda-pop
I still dream about that.
Chorus:
Rocky Top, you'll always be
Home sweet home to me.
Good old Rocky Top,
Rocky Top, Tennessee.
Rocky Top, Tennessee.
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Once two strangers climbed old Rocky Top
Lookin' for a moonshine still.
Strangers ain't come down from Rocky Top,
Reckon they never will.
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.
(Repeat Chorus)
I've had years of cooped up city life,
Trapped like a dog in a pen.
All I know is it's a pity life
Can't be simple again.
(Repeat Chorus)
Rocky Top, Tennessee!
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