Making the Most of the University of Tennessee Vols Football Experience

by Jordan Edens

for Advanced Composition, ETSU, Spring 2011

When I was nine, I vividly remember watching the University of Tennessee Volunteers take their football program to the National Championship. I remember my parents being so excited about the team winning, and I remember my own excitement because the team had won. My excitement was stemmed from my parents overwhelming love and dedication for the Tennessee Vols football team. Though none of us are from Knoxville, nor have any of us ever gone to school at the University, it is safe to say that we are fans! I always wanted to be part of the game and feel the atmosphere the players and fans would feel while they were at the event. This was especially true of Tennessee Vols football. Something about the way the fans cheer, and the team reacts made me desperately want to be a part of the action. And finally, I made my way to Knoxville, Tennessee and had my own experience, and I have never watched a football game the same way again.

Finally, in September of 2004 when I was 15, I got the chance to go to Knoxville, and experience the game for myself and I have never watched a game, at home, or at the stadium, the same. The first time I went I was joined by my family, and since then, I have been to multiple games with my family, as well as games with my fiancé. Every experience is unique and wonderful and each time I go, I feel very much like part of the Tennessee Vols Family. There is so much to see and do at a UT football game, and truly, everyone should experience such a wonderful event. I had been to my fair share of sporting events, but when I made found myself in Knoxville, I knew this would become my favorite event. There are so many aspects to the day. And each time I have returned, it has always been much more than “just a game.”Since this has always been such a fun experience for me, I decided to inform all who are interested of how to make the most of the University of Tennessee Volunteers Football experience

Before the game—

Despite attending 17 games since 2004, some things never seem to change. From the moment you enter Knoxville, you begin to understand that this town has literally exploded with people coming out to show their support of the university and the athletic department, and the team. The whole town is wearing orange and white. It is not uncommon for your waitress, your cashier, your police officer, or your puppy to be wearing orange on game day. If your tickets did not come in the mail, or get printed off of an online site, you may go to the will call station at the stadium, and with a valid id, you make pick up your tickets there. I suggest parking in the parking garage on twenty second street where your money goes to the St. Jude’s organization, and is only ten dollars. Most other parking locations cost you anywhere from twenty to forty dollars for the day. Once you have found a place to park your car,—I personally recommend parking cheaper and walking because you will wait in traffic after the game no matter where you park— make your way to Cumberland Avenue and find yourself among a sea of orange and white bodies making their way to the shops to pass the time. These shops hold anything and everything a Tennessee fan could ask for. They have jerseys, hats, books, shirts, sweatpants, hair bows, and novelty items by the truckload. If you forgot something orange, any given store, including the local Walgreens has what you need to blend in to the excitement that it Game Day Knoxville.

After your shopping is completed, make your way to Peyton Manning Pass and extending onto Phillip Fulmer Way to what the team calls the “Vol Walk.” At this point, fans and media officials line the sidewalks and wait patiently for the start of the pregame events. The suggestion is to be there at least 3 hours before game time in order to see the team and have a place to stand. When the time finally arrives, usually just about 2 hours and 30 minutes before kickoff, every player and coach makes their way down the street. Fans cheer them on and encourage them in their upcoming game. This is always very special because it is a chance to see the players and coaches that usually grace the television set, standing right in front of you, shaking your hand!

After the legendary Vol Walk, fans can follow the team down the road on Phillip Fulmer way, and on at the end of the street you find yourself in another mass of people waiting for another Vol tradition: the Salute to the Hill. During the Salute to the Hill, the band lines the street and plays the traditional fight song of the university to the hill ahead of them. The Hill is located near Gate 21, and is an actual hill, with a monument atop it, that commemorates the school’s addition of the football field to its campus. This is when we first get to experience the Pride of the Southland Marching Band. They stand and play some of Tennessee’s traditional music in the streets of Knoxville. This is another amazing experience. You have the option of standing so close you could touch the band, or far enough away to simply listen to their music.

The Game—

After experiencing all the pregame fun a Vol fan can handle, the adventure becomes even more exciting as you scan your ticket and make your way into Neyland Stadium.

21,939 students are enrolled in the University, but the seating in the stadium prepares for much more. 104,079 seats are available in the stadium. Once inside, you can find your seats, or make your way to the store inside the stadium! While the prices may be slightly more expensive, there is something special about buying items from the stadium. After making your way around the stadium and find your seats, there are some entertaining activities to experience. There are videos of the team on the jumbotron. You could watch the team warm up, and take pictures, or you can simply enjoy the people watching until time for my favorite part of the entire day! The Pride of the Southland Marching Band takes the field and forms the “Power T” where they form a “t” from the home team end zone to the 50 yard line. After they have formed the t, the players make their way onto the field, running through the T and to their side-line.

Every play causes me to sit on the very edge of my seat, if I can even manage to stay seated at all. The entire stadium erupts in cheers at any good play. The sound is sometimes even louder when the Vols are on defense, which makes it difficult for the offense to call plays. Each moment is filled with excitement. Every person is filled with emotion over something good or filled with sighs of grief as their team does something the fans do not particularly like. Either way, the crowd is always going wild over something that is happening. There is something to be desired and enjoyed and something that cannot be equaled.

In addition to the game, the halftime show is something special. There is something amazing about watching any band take the field and perform a halftime show, but there is none I have ever seen compare to that of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band! They are nearly perfect, and while I am sure there are mistakes somewhere, I have never seen one in all the years I have been attending Vols football. They make beautiful formations on the field. There are wonderful, fantastic scenes on the field and nothing can compete with the things that are being performed.

After the Game—

After the game, win or lose, there is still a wonderful atmosphere. If the Vols win, there are people celebrating in the streets. If they happen to lose, there are places to drown your sorrow in delicious pizza and chicken wings at many different restaurants to choose from. Buffalo Wings, Mellow Mushroom, and Hooters as well as multiple fast food chains make it easy to find food for every hungry Vols fan. There is still an atmosphere of dedication for all fans, whether the Vols win or lose.

The season is always too short to experience all the wonderful things to do in Knoxville at a football game. I always want to go to as many games as possible I can experience as much of this as possible. The entire Tennessee Vols experience is more than simply a fan base; it is more a family tradition for Vols everywhere!