What an thrilling time that is to be a Tennessee sports activities fan.
Rick Barnes’ basketball crew is 8-0 and profitable by 25 or 30 factors per recreation. Chaz Lanier is doing fairly a little bit of what Dalton Knecht used to do.
Josh Heupel’s soccer Vols are 10-2 and within the scramble for the nationwide championship. Dylan Sampson has set a number of speeding data. Nico is growing. Jermod McCoy is a uncommon lockdown nook. The protection is definitely surly at instances.
We’re starting to see that latest recruiting decommitments could not have been as nice a loss as they first appeared. Vol salesmen are closing robust.
Girls’s basketball is off to a splendid 6-0 begin, after defeating Florida State 79-77 at dwelling on December 4, 2024. Are you able to consider 100 or extra factors per recreation? New coach Kim Caldwell was sensible sufficient to know what she didn’t know concerning the Southeastern Convention and employed star recruiters as assistant coaches.
Again in June, Tony Vitello’s baseball crew gained the School World Collection. What a thrill that was – Omaha, Omaha!
Tony added to his rock stardom and revenue. Dr. Danny dealt with the pay half and simply defined multi-million elevated enchancment prices at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. He found utilities have been underground.
Talking of Daniel J. White, vice chancellor and director of athletics, he’s doing effectively, thanks for asking. He supposedly picked Pilot’s pockets and secured long-term safety for Neyland Stadium with out promoting the nice area title. Pilot advertisements right here and there aren’t offensive.
Enhancements for followers stay an on-going undertaking. New is the necessity for extra and greater donations and the ten p.c surcharge on future tickets to assist cowl a few of the $22 million or so in forthcoming pay for gamers. Soccer sellouts are related. So is the ready listing to buy tickets.
Certainly, these are thrilling instances to be followers of the Volunteers – a bit costly however thrilling.
TN Males BB Roster
Males’s basketball gained the 2024 SEC regular-season title and reached the NCAA Elite Eight. Nearly, however no Last 4. Softball gained an SEC title. Tennis earned nationwide headlines. Rowing completed No. 3. Volleyball reached the Candy 16.
UT’s athletic funds is someplace round $235 million for the present fiscal yr. There are outcomes. Most up-to-date tabulation says Tennessee has one of the best all-around sports activities program within the SEC, No. 3 in competitors for the nationwide Administrators’ Cup.
Dr. White stated: “We take nice delight in being the ‘The whole lot College.’ We don’t purchase into being common or mediocre in something we do. We’ve got 20 sports activities and we wish to compete for championships in all of them.”
Just like the Vols, Dr. White is prospering. His revenue is No. 1 amongst SEC ADs and possibly the nation. His newest contract requires $2.75 million in annual wage with the chance for bonuses as much as $600,000.
Incentives embrace 10 free non-public flights per yr and extra cash for crew success in athletics and teachers. Opposite to rumor, the bonus plan doesn’t embrace money rewards for crowd noise, dwelling runs or three-point objectives in baskets.
Dr. Danny, Heupel and his many helpers will profit from profitable a spot within the soccer playoff. The pinnacle coach will get $200,000 for making the sphere. If the Vols win the first-round recreation, the bonus goes as much as $250,000. A spot within the semifinals would increase the reward to $300,000. The championship recreation is value $400,000. Prize for the title is $1 million.
Heupel’s assistants are to obtain fundamental bonuses of 12 p.c of their wage. With every win, the quantity goes up. Dr. White will get solely 3 p.c and it has to suit underneath his $600,000 ceiling. He has maxed out in earlier years.
The playoff bracket appears easy sufficient, Tennessee at Ohio State on Dec. 20 or Dec. 21, winner towards top-seeded Oregon. Ticket distribution is extra sophisticated.
Stately Ohio Stadium, nestled snugly on the banks of the Olentangy River, seats 102,780. Guests obtain solely 3,500 tickets.
That will likely be simply sufficient for prime donors, UT executives, gamers’ households, athletic division staff and the Satisfaction of the Southland Band.
Outdated Vols, former lettermen, some monetary contributors and odd followers will likely be suggested to test secondary ticket markets. Details about TV protection and kickoff time will likely be free.
Marvin West welcomes feedback or questions from readers. His tackle is [email protected]
