Localizing national issues and battling the winter blues, plus a look into spring sports: an overview
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Letter from the Editor: It’s OK if you haven’t found your place at UT yet
EDITORIAL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Shelby Wright
MANAGING EDITOR: Caden Dyer
COPY CHIEF: Emily Hurst
NEWS EDITOR: Samantha Whitley
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR: Emma Caskill
SPORTS EDITOR: Trevor McGee
ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR: Jack Church
OPINIONS EDITOR: Ansley Graves
PHOTO EDITOR: Erick Gomez-Villeda
DESIGN EDITOR: Ciara Chauncey
ENGAGEMENT EDITOR: Sarah Portanka
COVER DESIGN: Ciara Chauncey
COVER PHOTO: Shelby Wright
PAGE DESIGNERS: Emma Fingeret, Jibril Foronas, Ashley Cammarota, Abigail Thompson
ADVERTISING/PRODUCTION
ADVERTISING MANAGER: Cullen Askew
ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVES: Jacob Stromatt
ADVERTISING PRODUCTION ARTISTS: Donatella Thomas
CONTACTS
TO REPORT A NEWS ITEM OR SUBMIT A PRESS RELEASE, please email editorinchief@utdailybeacon.com or call (865) 974-2348
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LETTERS POLICY: Letters to the Editor must be exclusive to The Daily Beacon and cannot have been submitted to or published by other media. Letters should not exceed 400 words and can be edited or shortened for space. Letters can also be edited for grammar and typographical errors, and Letters that contain excessive grammatical errors can be rejected for this reason. Anonymous Letters will not be published. Authors should include their full name, mailing address, city of residence, phone number and e-mail address for verification purposes. Letters submitted without this information will not be published. The preferred method to submit a Letter to the Editor is to email the Editor-in-Chief.
CORRECTIONS POLICY:It is the Daily Beacon’s policy to quickly correct any factual errors and clarify any potentially misleading information. Errors brought to our attention by readers or staff members will be corrected and printed on page two of our publication. To report an error please send as much information as possible about where and when the error occurred to managingeditor@ utdailybeacon.com, or call our newsroom at (865) 974-5206.
The Daily Beacon is published by students at The University of Tennessee on Wednesday during the fall and spring semesters. The offices are located at 1345 Circle Park Drive, 11 Communications Building, Knoxville, TN 37996-0314. The newspaper is free on campus and is available via mail subscription for $200/year or $100/semester. It is also available online at: www.utdailybeacon.com
SHELBY WRIGHT Editor-in- Chief
Funny enough, I never expected to be a journalist. Yet, now I sit before everyone at the University of Tennessee as the new editor-inchief of The Daily Beacon.
My entire life, I have known and heard about the Beacon. My parents are alumni, and I remember hearing stories about how they picked up the paper daily and read through it. However, I never envisioned it would one day consume my entire world.
During my sophomore year of college, I was going through a crisis. I hated my major, and I couldn’t figure out why. I was a vocal performance major, and my whole life up until this point, I had dreamed of being here, performing and pursuing a career in music. Yet, I absolutely hated it. I was doing everything right — getting good grades and making the most of all the opportunities the College of Music gave me, but that fiery passion for music I once had was nowhere to be found. So, where was it?
Then, one day, it hit me while I was literally watching an episode of Gilmore Girls — as cliché as it sounds. I had been researching other majors when I stumbled upon journalism and asked myself, “Isn’t that what Rory Gilmore’s major was during her Yale years?”
Gilmore Girls had been my comfort show through all this internal drama I was dealing with, and I really resonated with Gilmore’s
character.
My entire life, I’ve been told I’m a great writer or that I should be a lawyer because of how much I love to debate. I would spend hours just watching the news for fun or researching and going down rabbit holes of articles upon articles and then would report my new findings to my parents or friends, who knew nothing about what the heck I was ever on about.
Looking back, I’m really not sure why I didn’t figure it out sooner. It’s quite comical because this path has always stared me down — I was just too blind to see it.
At the same time as this realization, I had an assignment for my English 102 class that required me to interview, research and transcribe information to inform and prove a point, and frankly, I had way too much fun with this assignment that most students would groan over. Also, huge shout-out to my English professor, Randi Addicott, who really pushed me and made me realize my love for writing.
So, junior year, I became a journalism major and threw myself headfirst into working for The Daily Beacon as a copy editor and staff writer, and I’ve never looked back.
My heart sank when Bella Hughes, the former editor-in-chief, announced her resignation in December and asked me to consider the position.
Sure, it had always been a secret dream of mine to be the editor-in-chief, but I thought I knew my place, and my imposter syndrome had gotten the best of me — I never thought it would ever actually happen, and now that it could, I had enormous shoes to fill.
Yet, here we are. To make a long story short, if you’re reading this and find yourself in a rut like I once was, here’s some advice. Take a deep breath and re-evaluate your interests. Just because you like something doesn’t necessarily mean you should pursue it academically. I still love music and performing, but now it’s more of a hobby than a career, which is OK. Not everyone knows what they want to do immediately starting school, and that is also OK.
Your passion for what you’re studying should have an unquenchable fire because if I know anything at all, I know college is hard, and it will do its best to put that fire out.
If you still haven’t found your place at UT, know that’s OK. Keep going. One day, you’ll wake up, realize your purpose and wonder why you never saw it before.
It’s truly amazing what you can achieve and how quickly you can achieve it once you’re in the right place.
It is my goal to make this newspaper more than just a newspaper. This is a student-led, editorially independent newspaper — something that is becoming increasingly rare nationwide. Likewise, in this global information age, good reporting is complex and hard to come by, and journalistic integrity is always on the line.
However, under my leadership, I will ensure that The Daily Beacon will continue to shine and carry on its century-long legacy as a voice not only for students but for the people of Knoxville as well.
Letter from the Managing Editor: A dream becomes
reality
CADEN DYER Managing Editor
Newly graduated from high school, I was sitting among a handful of other soon-to-be students of the University of Tennessee as we listened to a panel of journalism faculty and journalism majors talk about how important this college was to them. I was intrigued but a little bored. Mostly, I was feeling an overwhelming sense of inadequacy. There were so many esteemed and accomplished people here, both from the professor’s side as well as my peers. I knew UT would be a big school, and I was fully committed to the challenge, but I also felt keenly that I didn’t quite belong here. That all changed when I heard Bella Hughes speak.
She was wearing blue (I think) and recounting to us her experiences as design editor of The Daily Beacon. She was polished, professional and stunning. I was drawn to her sense of humor, her choice of wording and her overall demeanor. This was a woman who was going to get things done. She would also be my managing editor for my freshman year and then editor-in-chief for a (very
short) semester.
I was inspired. Whatever Bella was doing, I was going to do, too.
I worked for a year as a copy editor at the Beacon, all the while observing this girl who would soon be my friend. She was sometimes hurried, often busy, but never outwardly anxious. I felt calm in her presence and secretly aspired to one day be managing editor of the Beacon myself.
That dream came to stark fruition very recently. Unexpectedly, I found myself leaving my position as copy chief and fulfilling the open role of managing editor almost a year earlier than I had initially anticipated. While Bella is no longer at the Beacon, I am proud to say that my desire to emulate her — and all she did for me in our almost two years of working together — is still very much around.
I am grateful for the sudden acquisition of this role and eager for the many faces I will get to meet, the articles I will get to edit and the opportunity to serve my university in this way. I am so thankful for Bella’s intelligence, kindness and leadership in this paper.
She saw me when I was a nobody in the newsroom, and she encouraged me to grow here. The world needs student journalism, and I am more than happy to follow in her footsteps and help it flourish.
Shelby Wright and Caden Dyer in New Orleans, Louisiana, representing The Daily Beacon at the College Media Association conference. Nov. 2, 2024. Shelby Wright / The Daily Beacon
From VOLentines Day to Mardi Growl: 7 events to look forward to this semester
JAXSON BERG Staff Writer
This spring semester offers tons of opportunities for students to get involved through the campus as well as the community. When students are looking for something to do, there is something to be offered for everyone. Here are some ideas.
Martin Luther King Days of Service
From Jan. 27 to Feb. 7, the Jones Center for Leadership and Service is hosting its annual Martin Luther King Days of Service. This opportunity allows students to get plugged into the Knoxville community while providing service to community partners. The Jones Center provides details and RSVPs for all the events on its website.
VOLentines Day
The Center for Student Engagement, with help from Campus Events Board and CHEW, is celebrating VOLentines Day on Feb. 13 with various events from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. The celebration includes DIY stuffed animals, Valentine’s cards and a movie marathon featuring the movies “Valentine’s Day,” “How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days” and “The Notebook.” More information can be found through their event page on VolLink.
Mardi Growl
Young-Williams Animal Shelter is putting on their 18th annual Mardi Growl on Saturday, March 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This pet party and parade allows all pet owners to register their animal into the parade from Old City to World’s Fair Park. Thousands of spectators will be lining the streets to see the fun costumes owners have created. Once the parade has concluded, nearly 100 vendors, food trucks,
music and games will continue the party. This fundraising event benefits over 11,000 animals that require assistance from Young-Williams each year. More information about the event can be found on their website.
Dogwood Arts House & Garden Show
From Feb. 7-9, Dogwood Arts will be hosting its house and garden show located at the Knoxville Convention Center. These three days offer top vendors in home and garden, as well as guest speakers providing tips and tricks to all things home and garden. Also, over 10,000 square feet of gardens will be created, showing the innovation and creativity behind landscaping that is easy to walk through and enjoy. More information can be found on their website.
Mondays with Benny at Pride Center
The Pride Center, located on the third floor of the Student Union, offers Mondays with Benny throughout the semester. Benny, a HABIT therapy dog, will be available for students to pet, visit, hug and spend time with to take away some stress from classes. All their information can be found on their website.
Knox
St. Patrick’s Parade
On March 15, join the Knoxville commu-
nity for the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade. This event has raised over $100,000 since 2017 supporting CCETN. With the last three parades, Knoxville has been able to donate scholarship money for senior-year high school students in the community. Join the nearly 5,000 other attendees for this event and support this local nonprofit organization. All information can be found on their website.
Dogwood Arts Festival
Featuring over 100 fine arts vendors, along with music, food and entertainment, the Dogwood Arts Festival is one of the most celebrated events in Knoxville. This event has been taking place since 1961 and will continue the tradition this year from April 25-27. This event is located in World’s Fair Park and is the perfect way to enjoy the spring weather. More information about the festival can be found on their website.
The Knoxville community came together on Saturday, March 7, 2020 to participate and enjoy the 13th Annual Mardi Growl in Market Square in downtown Knoxville. File / The Daily Beacon
Navigating tax season: A guide for college students
◊ Other income records (side gigs, savings interest, etc.)
Deduct up to $2,500 in student loan interest.
Tips to save money
Tax season can be overwhelming, especially for students filing for the first time. However, learning how to file taxes is essential to becoming financially independent. Whether earning income from a job or receiving a scholarship, filing your taxes correctly can help you avoid penalties and earn money back.
Why should students file taxes?
You might be wondering if you need to file taxes as a student. If you earned income from a job, internship or freelance work, you likely need to file, even if you didn’t earn enough to owe taxes. Filing can also help you access tax benefits like the American Opportunity Credit, which can reduce your tax bill or increase your refund.
Key documents to gather
Before filing, gather these important documents:
◊ W-2 form (for employees)
◊ 099 form (for freelancers or contractors)
◊ 1098-T form (for tuition and education-related expenses)
How
to file your taxes
There are several ways to file:
◊ Online tax software: Platforms like TurboTax, H&R Block and Jackson Hewitt guide you through the process. Some offer free filing for simple returns.
◊ IRS Free File: If your income is below $73,000, you can use IRS Free File to file at no cost.
◊ Paper filing: Though less common, you can still file via paper forms. Online filing is generally faster and easier.
Tax benefits for students
As a student, you can take advantage of tax credits and deductions:
◊ Standard deduction: For single filers in 2024, it’s about $12,000.
◊ Education credits: The American Opportunity Credit and Lifetime Learning Credit can help offset tuition costs.
◊ Student loan interest deduction:
◊ Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC): If you’re a low-income student, you may qualify for a larger refund through this credit.
Filing deadlines and extensions
Tax returns are due by April 15 each year. If you need more time, file for an extension (until Oct. 15). However, an extension to file doesn’t give you extra time to pay any taxes owed.
What to do if you owe taxes
If you owe taxes, you can pay in full or set up a payment plan with the IRS. It’s better to pay in installments than ignore the debt.
Resources for help
Many universities, such as the University of Tennessee, offer free resources like One Stop to help students understand tax benefits and get assistance with filing. Online services like TurboTax and H&R Block also offer free filing for simple returns. If you prefer in-person help, local tax offices such as Jackson Hewitt and H&R Block can assist you.
Make the most of your tax return by following these tips:
◊ Claim available credits: Maximize education-related credits like the American Opportunity Credit.
◊ Deduct student loan interest: If you have student loans, deduct up to $2,500 in interest.
◊ Track education expenses: Save receipts for textbooks and supplies that may qualify for deductions.
◊ File early: Avoid last-minute stress and get your refund sooner.
◊ Use free tax software: Services like TurboTax and IRS Free File are free for simple returns.
◊ Contribute to an IRA: Consider contributing to a Roth or traditional IRA for tax benefits.
Filing taxes as a college student doesn’t have to be stressful. Gather your documents, use available tax credits and deductions and choose the proper filing method to make the process easier. With the right tools and resources, you can save money and stay on top of your financial responsibilities.
CARMEN RIVERA
Contributor
Day one: What second Trump administration will tackle its first few days in Oval Office
PATRICK BUSCH Staff Writer
Monday, Jan. 20, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States, an unprecedented and historical moment for presidential history, having been the second president — alongside Grover Cleveland over 130 years ago — to serve two non-consecutive terms.
His campaign focused on immigration, the economy and ending global wars, which Americans identified as the most pressing issues in the recent election. With a four-year hiatus, Trump arrives in D.C. with a loyal circle of advisors ready to implement his vision for the next four years — something that wasn’t entirely the case at the start of his first term.
He will hit the ground running with new policies, likely a 180-degree turn from the vision of the Biden-Harris administration. The Associated Press has reported that he’ll sign more than 100 executive orders for rapid implementation of his vision for the next four years on just day one. He’s taking his winning mandate to the books. However, this isn’t unprecedented for newly sworn-in presidents, but it’ll be a shake-up in D.C. after a four-year Democrat-controlled White House.
Former President George W. Bush’s chief of staff, Mack McLarty, was interviewed by Politico for his perspective on the future administration and how they should tackle the first 100 days.
“A historic mistake has usually been to try to overreach, try to do too much too quickly or make decisions based on the reversal of the prior administration’s decisions. You have to do some of that, but also try to stay focused on your priorities and getting things done for the American people,” McLarty said.
Regardless of his executive orders, Trump will have both houses of Congress to implement his policies with Republican majorities — albeit slim — but still, he’ll have the power to pass along policies and goals and work alongside Republican Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) and newly elected Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) who just replaced Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
Immigration
President Trump has appointed Tom Homan, former immigration customs and enforcement director. Homan worked under the Obama and Trump administrations but was appointed to fill the ICE director role under Trump.
Both have pledged to tackle the immigration issue on the first day in office with a strict crackdown on the lenient
border policies seen in the last administration. President Trump has also pledged to close the U.S.-Mexico border while also, throughout his campaigns, promising sweeping deportations for illegal immigrants across the country on his first day.
In Trump’s words, he will be launching “the largest deportation operation in American history.”
With a rise in illegal immigration in the last administration with a record 10 million inflow — totaling a record 10 million, including 8.4 million at the southern border, compared to Trump’s 2.4 million in total — Trump will most likely reverse many of Biden’s acts and revert to policies such as “Remain in Mexico” and reimpose travel bans from specific regions and countries. Trump will also likely decrease the flow of asylum-seeking immigrants and provide more resources to border patrol agents, including finishing construction of the southern border.
Energy and economy
In energy, Trump has pledged to “Drill, baby, drill” to boost the fracking industry. Under the Biden administration, oil and gas drilling wasn’t the priority in hopes of making steps toward climate change, reversing policies such as revoking the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline or the
Paris Climate Agreement.
Just recently, former President Biden bannedoffshore drilling of oil and gas in federally owned water, which will be something to watch as Trump takes office to see how he will try to reverse or work around these new orders. Trump also has said he could help cut energy prices for everyday Americans by 50% with his new drilling policies and a focus on leaning into fossil fuel energy.
He’s pledged sweeping tax reform for middle America, reducing government regulation in business corporations, and putting a heavy emphasis on tariffs, something both Democrats and even some Republicans have questions about. This is undoubtedly a focus of his policy. Still, he’ll have to work with Congress for congressional approval, which he did in his first term to pass a second round of extensive tax cuts for Americans.
Trump has also pledged to place heavy tariff burdens on China and potentially on Mexico and even America’s neighbor to the north, Canada. He said he hopes people will buy domestically and plug money into America’s economy, not foreign countries. However, it has its complications.
Global Affairs
Throughout the campaign, President
Trump spoke vaguely of how he would bring peace between Ukraine and Russia.
“It would never have happened if I were president,” Trump said in a North Carolina rally in 2024, and that he’d have the war solved in 24 hours.
Trump and his team are currently negotiating and planning meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin, but it’s unclear what his directives will be.
In early December, Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to discuss peace negotiations and potential paths to ending the war. However, it’s still unclear what his plan is. Time will only tell how these negotiations will go and fall into place.
In the Middle East, Trump called on Hamas and other terror groups to release hostages, including the two United States citizens held in Gaza before he takes office, or else “all hell will break out” — an unclear threat suggesting possible U.S. military action, Israeli action or other measures.
The former President has been a staunch supporter of Israel and their military actions, but specifically, the acts he will take are unclear at the moment. Regardless, Trump will continue to be a friend to Israel and their forces.
Donald Trump speaking with supporters at a campaign rally at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Oct. 29, 2016. Courtesy of Gage Skidmore / Creative Commons
MY MEMORY IS A MACHINE
Dignity and respect: The guiding virtues of former President Jimmy Carter
LOUIE PERRY Staff Writer
Former President James “Jimmy” Earl Carter Jr. passed away on Sunday, Dec. 29, as the longest-lived president at 100 years old. His life started and ended with humility, and he always remembered where his roots were in Georgia.
The son of a peanut farmer, he was an uncelebrity-like president. He was not famous for the million dollars he made in business or the fifty years of experience in D.C. as other candidates brought to the office and post-presidential life. It was Carter’s legacy, shaped by his moral devotion and idealistic vision for the future that people across the globe recall.
Growing up in the segregated South, Carter saw the implications of inequalities between Black people and white people. After one failed run for Georgia Governor, Carter tried again, won, and took that position to reshape Georgia and the greater South.
“The time for racial discrimination is over,” Carter said during his inauguration speech in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1971. It was a moment that echoed across the region.
He racially integrated the Georgia government while standing toe to toe with Klu Klux Klan members. He took his devotion to public service to the presidential level, bringing the spirit of equality with him.
The media portrayed him as weak and inexperienced when he approached varying problems during his presidency. Yet, others said his motivation of humility and his political outsider nature guided his decisions and policies, regardless of the political issues he faced in office, from the 1979 oil crisis, the Iranian hostage crisis and a shaky economy. He made decisions that weren’t always in his own best political interests, and some say it cost him his own re-election.
But he still left an impact. He was one of the first to implement environmental laws, standardize the 55-mile-per-hour speed limit and increase the number of Black and minority judges on the federal bench. A champion on his own, he shaped the history and policy of the later 20th
century, for good and for bad.
For most, the former president is remembered for his life after his single term as president. He was an unequivocal ambassador and champion of Habitat for Humanity, taking up a hammer and nail to build homes for the homeless. The Carter Work Project, alongside Jimmy Carter, helped to build close to 4,447 homes for the organization. He also established the Carter Center to promote world peace and reduce world diseases.
His dedication to fostering respect amongst groups was highlighted in his efforts in the Camp David Accords, which helped to foster peace between Egypt and Israel. His commitment to human rights, finding peaceful resolutions to international conflicts, disease elimination in Africa and years of work and dedication to humanitarian efforts led the former president to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
“Today, America and the world lost an extraordinary leader, statesman, and humanitarian,” former President Joe Biden said, “And to all of the young people in this nation and for anyone in search of what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning — the good life — study Jimmy Carter, a man of principle, faith and humility.”
Apart from politics and community outreach, Carter was guided by his Christian morals and principles that shaped how he lived and carried himself. He had secular goals in mind when he took office in Georgia and the White House. However, his religious mission was always sprinkled in his actions and policies.
Carter, in his own way, was a torchbearer for change. The light he shared with others brought him scrutiny and at times, drew him into conflict, but a message of dignity and respect is something America should take to heart, something that’s been lost in the political climate of the era.
“What are the things that you can’t see that are important?” Carter said, “I would say justice, truth, humility, service, compassion, love. They’re the guiding lights of life.”
President Carter was honored with a state funeral in D.C. on Jan. 9, credited as a day of mourning to celebrate the life and legacy of the 39th president of the U.S.
TRADITIONAL CAREER PATHS
• Counseling / Therapy
• School Social Work
• Child Welfare
• Crisis Intervention
• Nonprofit Leadership
• Social Activism
• Human Resources
• Veterinary Social Work
• Sports Social Work Politician
• Real Estate Agent
• Fundraising
PROGRAMS
• Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW)
• Doctor of Philosophy in Social Work (PhD) NON-TRADITIONAL CAREER PATHS
• Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW)
• Doctor of Social Work (DSW)
Review: Robert Eggers’ ‘Nosferatu’ sparkles with originality, revitalizes gothic ambiance
Ceremoniously released on Christmas Day, 2024, Robert Eggers’ fourth film, “Nosferatu,” follows a tortured young woman haunted by the determined pursuit of a vampiric entity as it slowly encroaches on her life.
As the film opens, what’s quickly noticeable is a heavy realization of how corporeal it feels. The deep, chest-tightening inhale of the young Ellen cast in the pale blue moonlight, the little of her face we see is an island in the surrounding suffocating darkness, where we are not simply in the dead of night, but swimming alone with Ellen in an otherworldly abyss. The rest of the bedroom is revealed, dim blue light seeping in from the window where curtains billow out, a dynamic force breaking the eerie stillness of Ellen’s purgatory, revealing the shadow of her captor.
“Nosferatu” makes it immediately clear that it isn’t interested in ingratiating itself to its audience. The story of the source material itself adapts Bram Stoker’s famous “Dracula,” its similarities to such having long since been comprehended. What Eggers’ own remake brings, however, is a revitalization of the gothic ambiance in a market that regards the vampiric character a little more whimsically.
The terror the film aims to exude derives from the confusion, not the appearance, of what or whom the characters are facing. It isn’t the look of Count Orlock that generates unease as much as it is the plague-ridden streets, the grime of rats and filth, bloodsoaked eyes or incurable, bone-snapping psychotic fits. To Eggers’ characters, the true threat in “Nosferatu” isn’t the supernatural capability of a blood-sucking monster, but instead pestilence and rot — the decay of the physical world that demands the abandonment of hope in whatever god they pray to save them.
Such a refreshing disposal of the modern “scary man” monster rhetoric enhances the film’s historical backbone, immersing the audience in the true limitations of the 1830s, with multi-week-long treks across towns and absolute helplessness when fending off sickness. It balloons Count Orlock’s presence from merely a spooky face in the corner to a parasite of disruption that has well overcome the characters’ resources.
By far, the core of the film is its masterful carriage ride sequence. In it, an unsettled Thomas Hutter, played by Nicholas Hoult, wanders through a forest nearing the end of his long journey to Count Orlock’s estate. He is then met by an open invitation to a phantom carriage as it guides him along a cliffside, Orlock’s castle looming in the distance.
Similar to the film’s opening, the dim, blue hue of the moon is the only light. The crisp
darkness of negative space stretches up and over the bushy, swallowing branches of trees. The strict spokes of the carriage wheels encounter Hoult, the endless night peppered with jarringly white flakes of snow. With the film set in a very obvious, very dreamy white winter, this is the only moment where any snow, any evidence of the living biological world, feels wholly unnatural. The faint glow of the known, outside world behind Thomas punctuates his silhouette as he approaches the carriage, a thin trickling down from the blotted out sky, marking his departure from all that was familiar.
The greatest qualities of Nosferatu lie in its technical achievements. Every shot is a painting, a capture of temperature. The film’s natural world lacks ease, greenery, and haven in what we know as earthly and true—cold or hot, fire or ice. What isn’t moonlit in blue and snow is baked in roaring fireplaces or candles, with some scenes using solely the latter for lighting.
During the scenes with Thomas and Orlock in the castle, such measures create a skittish personality to a light that avoids its true purpose — clarity. Count Orlock is obscured in the candles’ inherent fickle nature. The majority of the film is dark yet smart, measured not by how much we are permitted to see but by their color. Haunting darkness is just as much the endless expanse of grey sky countered by the snow-white terrain as it is the true absence of light.
In terms of acting, Lily-Rose Depp soars. An admirable aspect of the film’s script is its
heightened inclusion of what has historically become the tired trope of the “helpless wife” in a horror-torn story. She is not meek but embodies the desperate fear that sits silently and heavily. Her possession sequences are demanding, and she strikes a great balance between the uncanny and performative. Her physicality is rich with juts, and she seizes as if in real pain with her contorting face and locking joints. Depp’s physical capability is a relieving departure from the recycled CGI mechanisms of modern horror. She feels trusted with such a delivery, making the possession feel more like a true medical event and therefore appear much more grounded. It’s a shame such is only fully utilized in the film’s second act.
Bill Skarsgard is no stranger to the creature’s performance, and once again dominates any scene he’s in with a slow, grating presence like a festering wound. The aforementioned Hoult is no stranger to greatly embodying the terror as well, as his reactions are what ignite much of the unease as Count Orlock’s influence grows. The supporting cast of Willem Dafoe, Emma Corrin, Aaron TaylorJohnson and Ralph Ineson all embrace the mounting panic wholly and gracefully, with only Taylor-Johnson feeling a touch exaggerated at times.
The film’s greatest hindrance, however, lies in its lack of confidence to fully commit to the dramatic depths seen in Eggers’ previous works. The growing, pulsing dread of “The Witch” and the maddening delusion and claustrophobia of “The Lighthouse” are
all emotions seamlessly and pending its release, giddily, applicable to a story such as “Nosferatu.”
Eggers knows how to push his characters to their worst, to rip them of their self-manicured bloat and expose their true natures. Yet “Nosferatu’s” third act glides by without much else explored that wasn’t unveiled in the second. Count Orlock’s ultimatum of three nights crescendos in the fantastic possession sequence on the second night. The finale is surprisingly tame, with the unease built up during the film’s middle left with nowhere to go.
Knowing what Eggers has previously demonstrated as a filmmaker, one leaves the theater without daring to question the dread. There are hints at themes of overcoming sexual trauma. Still, again, it feels sidelined towardW the final act as the physical plot to stop Count Orlock overtakes the much more compelling direction of accumulating mental fortitude over the horror. Moreover, Count Orlock’s physical appearance is revealed early on, a reveal that would have significantly complimented the film’s finale had they waited.
Overall, despite its shortcomings, “Nosferatu” still succeeds as a very admirable adaptation. What the film slightly lacks in depth of storytelling potential, it makes up for in exquisite production design. There’s no part of this film that looks as though it was made without real love, and while not an unfamiliar tale, it still sparkles with originality.
ELIZA NOELL
Contributor
Hutter
Students affected by LA fires: How you can help
SHELBY WRIGHT Editor-In-Chief
All the way in Los Angeles, two of the most devastating fires in California history erupted Jan. 7, fueled by severe drought and strong winds. Two weeks later, the Palisades and Eaton fires have destroyed more than 12,000 structures, killed at least 27 people and almost burned entire communities, leaving thousands homeless.
While California has been burning, Tennessee has been experiencing frigid temperatures and snowstorms, making it hard to relate to those impacted by these fires. Yet, it is important to remember that while it may be happening across the country, these fires have also affected the lives of students at the University of Tennessee.
Students like Amanda Schwalbach, a freshman studying supply chain management, who is native to California and was enjoying her winter break when she and her family suddenly had to evacuate from their home Wednesday, Jan. 8, around 5:30 a.m. as the Eaton fire was only a few miles away from her home.
As Schwalbach and her family evacuated, she told the Beacon they prioritized taking all their photos, important documents and their dogs. After that, they did their best to pack essentials like clothing and electronics, but obviously, they couldn’t take everything.
Schwalbach described the scenes around her home like that of a movie.
“It puts you in a whole different world when you see your own friends and other people you know or you’ve grown up with, and their homes are just burnt to the ground,” Schwalbach said. “It makes it so much more real than just something on the news, especially when I could see flames from my house, and it’s just terrifying.”
Luckily for Schwalbach and her family, they were soon able to return to their home, and everything they owned was unharmed by the flames. However, not everyone was as fortunate.
Still, not everyone will be able to afford to rebuild their homes and businesses on their own.
Here are some ways you can help:
Pasadena Human Society
“I’ve lived in California my entire life … but I’ve never seen a fire this destructive,” Schwalbach said. “Even, according to my parents, they’ve never seen it this destructive, and they’ve been here a lot longer.”
The Pasadena Humane Society is helping all lost and found animals in the Eaton area by providing care and emergency support to
the animals left behind during evacuations.
The Los Angeles Unified School District Education Emergency Relief Fund
The LAUSD Education Emergency Relief Fund is providing immediate and long-term relief and assistance to families and LAUSD employees affected by the fires. The fund will also help provide in-class resources for teachers and students at impacted schools.
The Black Music Action Coalition
The Black Music Action Coalition has an immediate relief fund focusing on Black residents and small businesses in the LA area. One hundred percent of the proceeds received will go towards these efforts.
LA Fire Department Foundation
Donations made to the LA Fire Department Foundation will go directly to funding the firefighters responding in real-time to these deadly fires.
GoFundMe
To directly donate to people and families who have lost their homes and businesses, research GoFundMe, which has a dedicated page for all those affected by the LA wildfires.
Vol Edge: a career readiness program that allows students to stop planning start engaging
Throughout our lives, we always prepare for what leads to the future. The University of Tennessee is giving students an advantage at starting our preparation for our careers now with new program, Vol Edge.
Cheri Green, assistant director for strategic initiatives within the Division of Student Success, discussed Vol Edge’s vision.
“Chancellor Plowman set a goal for the university for all students to participate in some form of experiential learning,” Green said. “It ultimately ended up with the Vol Edge, a life and career readiness program that encourages students to participate in experiential learning activities.”
Throughout the creation of the program, it was important to Green and her team that the product is student-driven. Students who join the program are encouraged to give positive or negative feedback.
“We want to make sure that all of those topics that we cover are things that students want to participate in,” Green said. “We are very confident that the program is going to be great as is, but we also have to understand that students have their own ideas and concerns about careerrelated topics, so we are happy to adjust.”
The beginning of the spring semester marks the start of phase one of Vol Edge. Students will have access to online learning modules that can be completed at their own pace. Phases two and
three will occur throughout the fall semester of 2025 and the spring semester of 2026, during which students will create connections and receive feedback on their improvement and readiness to join the workforce.
Doug Porter, assistant director of strategic initiatives within the Division of Student Success, went into detail about the benefits of experiential learning for students.
“Building self-efficacy as well as building critical relationships are a massive part of not only of our career experience and being able to find jobs, network and those types of things but those relationships are also critical for our wellbeing,” Porter said.
While the program is built for undergraduate students at UT, it is available to anyone enrolled
at the university, whether you are just beginning to start your preparation or have existing workforce experience.
Green explains that Vol Edge has no limitations on students with higher academic standings who may graduate before the end of the program.
“We do have quite a few connections on campus to help students still get that third phase, especially which is getting meaningful feedback and be able to relay their story,” Green said.
The program is accessible to students through the Vol Connect app starting on the first day of classes. Students have access to the first phase of Vol Edge, an online module learning that can be completed at any pace throughout the semester.
“Vol Edge was designed to uplift and support some of our campus partners,” Green said. “We hope that we are a bridge to already existing opportunities that happen on campus,” Green said.
Students who complete the program will find themselves more confident in their personal and professional lives, creating more opportunities to succeed.
“One of the unspoken goals is for our students to go out into the workforce or into life post-graduation with a lot of confidence that they know what they’re doing and that they are prepared and that the things that they experience here and outside of school actually matter,” Green said.
EMMA CASKILL Arts and Culture Editor
Edge is a new addition to UT’s resources that is dedicated to preparing students for the workforce. The three-phase program will stretch throughout three semesters, each phase focusing on key factors of life after college. Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. Courtesy of IMDb
The sky seen in Glendale, Los Angeles from the nearby Eaton fire. Jan. 8, 2024 Courtesy of Amanda Schwalbach
BEGIN YOUR PATH TO CAREER SUCCESS
Join us
January 23
SCAN for more info! from 3-5 pm at HSS Plaza for giveaways, games, food, and fun as we celebrate the start of the Vol Edge!
UTK Furries: A safe space
Arts-and-Culture Editor
Over 36,000 students at the University of Tennessee flood the campus with different interests and hobbies.
Now, students who identify as furries or are part of the community have a place on campus to be associated with — the UTK Furry Club.
Sharon Roberts, the cofounder of FurScience, defined furries as “people who have an interest in anthropomorphism, which specifically refers to giving human characteristics to animals.” Hundreds and thousands of people worldwide identify as furries, according to CNN.
Tegan Flynn, a sophomore studying wildlife and fisheries, is the president and cofounder of UTK Furries. Flynn said the inspiration of starting the club came from Stanford University, which has a class dedicated to fursuit making, as well as the Furries at Stanford Club.
The mission behind starting the club for Flynn was to create a safe space for students with similar interests to engage with each other.
According to Jack Maloney, a junior studying biomedical engineering and also a member of the club, the mission Flynn started the club on is being met.
A common talking point throughout my conversation with Maloney was that UTK Furries has created a safe space for them and other students where they might not normally find that.
“People are extremely cutthroat when it comes to anything related to furry stuff,” Maloney said. “There is plenty of reason to be afraid of coming out to certain people about it. There is still plenty of hate.”
Being a furry has been misconceived in the media — the term represents a wide and diverse community. Maloney talks about his
experience with finding his identification as a furry.
“It started off as this logical exploration of the concept itself and then slowly and surely it grew on me exponentially as I found more avenues to express myself through it,” Maloney said. “It allows you to explore gender, sexuality and all aspects of identity through a character, in a way, but also through yourself.”
Maloney explains that most furries begin with a character through a reference sheet. Their character, or fursona, is a fox-like creature that goes by the name Faux.
“The character is made out of this biomatter that is highly adaptable to its surroundings so it is able to morph over time,” Maloney said. “It helps to express gender fluidity and there being multiple aspects to it.”
The club has about 80 members who each have their fursonas that they created. Inspiration from fursonas can come from anime or personal experiences.
“A lot of our members have different fursonas from different aspects and different animals. It’s a lot of diversity in the club,” Flynn said. “It’s really actually cool to see because people have all these different things they come up with, and I am pretty proud of it because all of these people are in the same place and get to share that.”
To join the club, you don’t have to be a furry. The space Flynn has created is not just for furries but for those with similar interests or ideas or even those looking for a safe environment to speak freely.
The club meets two times a week where they host crafts, movie and board game nights and interact with each other. In the future, Flynn is working to create more interactive events.
“People like furries are kind of shut in and don’t want to talk a lot because they’re scared,” Flynn said. “I want this to be an environment where they’re not scared and they can do what they need to and find friends.”
Opinion: Finding the coziest remedies for winter blues
and “This is only temporary.”
While the coldest nights have gone away, our minds of ice are here to stay.
When the ice and snow of the Knoxville winter storm melt away, most of us feel so terribly relieved to be able to bask in the warmth of the sorely missed sun. We’re supposed to feel good that the ice has gone.
It should make us happy that the roads aren’t blocked, the clouds have cleared and that the monstrous winter tundra has transformed into the sunny university we’ve known all along.
For a select few of us, however, while the paralyzing cold may have been eradicated from our environment and left us physically, it hasn’t necessarily left our minds, and that deep desire for warmth and comfort is blocked by a feeling that prevents us from being able to enjoy the beautiful world we know must be out there.
When returning for the spring semester, some of us can’t help but shake that dreadful, empty feeling that permeates us. The bureaucrats call it seasonal depression, but fun souls like me prefer the term “winter blues.”
Perhaps, in your emotionally fragile state, you tell your friends about your winter blues, but they just don’t get it. They say simple things like, “Hang in there,” “It’ll get better”
Opinion:
To
Opinions Editor
Yet, while you feel more than grateful to have people in your life willing to comfort and support you, that lack of genuine emotional understanding can sometimes thicken the divisions that already exist between them and us.
This is OK, though, because you’re not alone — you’ve got me.
I get it — I’ve been there, and more than anything else, I deeply understand how you feel.
I understand that the wheels that turn during the school year have become fatigued and atrophied once our winter break catches up to us, and for some, the long month off can’t even begin to feel like enough time.
I understand that, oftentimes, our negative thought patterns or possible penchants for overthought can reinforce our feelings and serve to make us feel worse than in the first place.
You must pluck these negative thoughts from where they stand and blow them like the beautiful dandelion in the wind. When you catch yourself falling down a never-ending spiral of negativity, you must recognize it and pull yourself back to the present.
The acknowledgment of our negative thought patterns serves as one of many keys to the door to a better life.
To the pretty souls who’ve been isolated by their winter blues, I implore you to go outside.
Overcoming the “winter blues” during such a cold and dreary season can be hard, but columnist Nassir Jones thinks they have a way to help everyone feel better during these winter months — with mutual understanding. Ansley Graves / The Daily Beacon
It’s gonna seem hard, and it’s gonna be awkward, and you’ll meet many bittersweet people you find more bitter than sweet, but you also might even meet someone who feels the way you do and forge a deep and new connection.
And most of all, be positive — know that this won’t last forever. When we submerge ourselves in the deep, neverending pools of the winter blues, it might not ever feel like a float is coming our way.
This is a temporary feeling, and reassuring
yourself of this will only make improvement easier.
I could throw all the fact bombs I want at you, but the winter blues don’t respond well to analytical prowess — emotions are scary in that way. But the path to a better you can only begin when you actually put these things into practice and keep at them with rigor and passion.
So, if you’ve got nothing else out of these bubbly lines of text, I’ll simply tell you that I get you, I understand you and I feel you.
And because I understand you, I know that these feelings aren’t forever, no matter how much they might feel that way. So maybe those thick divisions will thin themselves out, even if only by a millimeter. Perhaps those millimeters will add up and become more and more and more, and eventually, the snow will only stay on the outside of your mind, and the inside will become sunny and free.
Nassir Jones is a sophomore at UT this year studying cinema studies. They can be reached at njones87@vols.utk.edu.
Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
work it or to wing it: A love/hate relationship with New Year’s resolutions
Or, maybe they are as simple as being better about picking up after yourself and being cleaner.
As another year is upon us, it is very common for people to set a list of goals for the new year. It is also very common for people to fall short of these goals, thus presenting a love/hate relationship with New Year’s resolutions.
Regardless of whether you take the new year as a reset button or not, there is a lot that can be said about those who do and the aftermath that follows them on their journey this year.
Setting goals for yourself can sometimes be tricky, especially when planning ahead for the entire new year approaching. Setting goals can also allow you to dive deep into your inner consciousness and reflect on what you could do better at, should do better at or need to do better at.
Arguably, sticking to certain goals, whatever they might be, for the entirety of the year is not for the weak and requires a very dedicated person.
Goals can range from starting a new gym routine and/or just getting to the gym every once in a while if it is not your thing.
On the other hand, some people’s goals can be more heartfelt or serious. For instance, one might realize they need to be a kinder person or quit a bad habit affecting their personal and interpersonal relationships.
If a person actually goes through with a given resolution for the whole year, this could create a newer and healthier addition to their day. For example, if a person’s goal is to go to the gym once a day to get in touch with their fitness goals, they might end up liking it so much that it becomes a routine norm.
Some people even participate in “dry January,” which entails spending the first month of the new year refraining from consuming any alcohol.
While it might be considered a challenge to start the new year alcohol-free, the benefits, such as self-discipline, encourage personal growth and set a positive tone for the year.
Whatever the goal in question, or if one chooses to set goals, it is no secret that there are opinions on both sides. On a positive outlook, setting goals can feel like setting oneself up for a new beginning or a greater pathway in one’s life. It is always important to have an
optimistic outlook, after all. However, setting unrealistic goals can bring a sense of disappointment and sadness if they are not completed. When failing at following through with those goals you tried ohso-hard for, it turns into an ultimate yearning for another year to start again for that clean slate.
Finding a healthy balance between what is realistic for oneself and what is not attainable is essential and a great way to navigate success.
With this being said, you may have experienced things this past year that caused you to reflect on your hopes and aspirations in the new year. Or maybe you just have an idea that you will do better this year overall. However you choose to look at what this
Ansley Graves is a junior at UT this year studying journalism. She can be reached at agrave24@vols.utk.edu.
Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
new year means for you, just know that this clean slate is all of what you make it.
Opinions editor Ansley Graves says, “Arguably, sticking to certain goals, whatever they might be, for the entirety of the year is not for the weak and requires a very dedicated person.”
Ansley Graves / The Daily Beacon
ANSLEY GRAVES
What went wrong for Tennessee football in season-ending loss to Ohio State
TREVOR MCGEE
Sports Editor
COLUMBUS, Ohio — If there’s one simple answer, it would be everything.
The most talk of opening weekend in the College Football Playoff was the matchup between No. 8 Ohio State and No. 9 Tennessee.
ESPN’s College GameDay was in town, the game received the primetime Saturday night slot on the television and it was a game full of storylines that left a lot of people calling the game a toss-up.
By the game’s end, it was the Buckeyes delivering the largest margin of the first round in a stomping 42-17 win over the Vols.
“That’s a credit to them,” head coach Josh Heupel said. “But just didn’t do what you have to on the road in a game against a really good football team.”
Three straight scoring drives from the Buckeyes to open the game set the tone. Ohio State held a 21-0 lead before the first quarter ended, courtesy of quick drives by offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and company.
Ohio State found the end zone in five plays, five plays and seven plays accordingly — adding over 200 yards of offense in the opening stanza.
“There wasn’t a phase of the football game where we operated the way we needed to early in the game,” Heupel said. “And came back and made a couple plays at the end of the second quarter to tighten it up, and just didn’t function well enough the beginning of
the third quarter, either.”
The reliability of the cornerbacks has been a strong point for defensive coordinator Tim Banks’ unit. Between All-American Jermod McCoy and opposite sophomore Rickey Gibson III, the Buckeyes had their way with the young corners.
Jeremiah Smith hauled in the opening touchdown reception from 21 yards out, getting past Gibson. It was all downhill from there.
“Defensively first series we got a chance to get off the field,” Banks said. “End up with a playing penalty. Some of that’s going to happen during the course of a game. Had a couple of busts in coverage, and they made some plays, too. That’s going to happen against a good team.”
On the offensive side, redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava was playing in the biggest game of his young career. While the stats show a lackluster performance, Iamaleava was relied on in aspects that he normally would not be.
Iamaleava finished with an abysmal 14-of31 outing and 104 yards but added a careerhigh 20 carries and 47 yards on the ground with a pair of touchdowns.
“It’s never just one thing,” Heupel said. “We struggled in protection early in the football game. I thought Nico did a good job with his feet throughout the course of it making some plays. We didn’t separate at times, and it was a combination of a lot of different things.”
One of the biggest issues in the game was
Tennessee’s wide receiver corps and the lack of available bodies which also contributed to it. The receivers hauled in nine passes with a plethora of drops.
Dont’e Thornton Jr. and Squirrel White both exited the game with injuries, alongside a group of three wide receivers that entered the transfer portal prior to the game. Issues compiled and the group let down Iamaleava in the biggest stage of the season.
“It’s just the entire sum of the entire night is we didn’t stretch them enough,” offensive coordinator Joey Halzle said. “We didn’t force them to respect us going by them enough to make them change up what they were doing.”
Ohio State’s offense put up 473 yards, controlling the air and the ground. Will Howard put forth potentially his best game of the season with 311 yards on an 83% completion percentage. The question is whether Tennessee’s defense did not execute to its best ability, or
if the Buckeyes have that good of an offense.
“I think the truth always lies somewhere in the middle,” Banks said. “You’ve obviously got to be a defense that doesn’t beat themselves. Obviously, we’re playing great talent.”
The people let down most in the blowout loss was the large caravan of Tennessee fans that made the trip to Columbus. Vols fans filled up a significant portion of the stadium, ending the night cold and disappointed.
“A ton of disappointment in our locker room for everybody that’s invested,” Heupel said. “There’s so much work that goes into it. But absolutely disappointed in the performance tonight for our fans. The amount of people that traveled. But it’s every week. It’s 365 days out of the year. Disappointed for them, absolutely.”
Tennessee remains on the struggling side without a top-10 win on the road since 2006. It will remain a point of emphasis as the Vols roll to 2025.
Mike Keith named ‘Voice of the Vols,’ set to take over for Bob Kesling
a return to the University of Tennessee and the Vol Network,” said Keith. “Alicia Longworth laid out a very exciting plan for how I can assist the talented VFL Films content
Tennessee athletics has its new “Voice of the Vols.”
After longtime play-by-play radio announcer Bob Kesling announced he would be retiring from the Vol Network following the 2024-25 basketball season, a search began to find a replacement.
On Thursday, the University of Tennessee named Tennessee Titans’ radio announcer Mike Keith as the new lead of the Vol Network — prying him away from the job he held in Nashville since 1999. Keith finished his 26th season as “The Voice of the Titans” with the NFL regular season coming to a conclusion on Jan. 5.
Keith will be taking over for both football and men’s basketball, roles that Kesling also assumed. Additionally, Keith will be involved in other programming designed to engage with the fans. Those plans will be released later this year.
“While it is very hard to say goodbye to the Tennessee Titans, it is not hard to say ‘yes’ to
team. Steve Early has continued to make me feel a part of the Vol Network family since I left Knoxville in 1998 — it was like I never left. Everyone associated in this process has been very professional, very impressive and very kind. This continued a theme from a series of experiences that I have had over the last five years when dealing with anyone — athletics, university and campus leadership, staff, faculty, students, etc. — from the University of Tennessee. Everyone is just topnotch, and I mean EVERYONE. I am excited to join this entire team in hopes that I can add a solid contribution. It is great to be a Tennessee Volunteer, especially in 2025!”
Tennessee athletics director Danny White led the search to find a replacement for the respected Kesling. Following the departure of the legendary John Ward in 1998, Kesling took over to begin the 1999 season. Now, it will be Keith taking the reins in 2025.
“When we discussed potential candidates, one name topped our list without question: bringing Mike and his family back to Rocky Top,” said White. “He is a true icon in the broadcasting industry, and we are excited to harness Mike’s exceptional skill set to further
elevate both the Vol Network and Tennessee Athletics in bold, innovative ways.”
Keith’s ties to the university run deep. The Knoxville native graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1991 with a degree in political science. During his time as an undergrad, he worked with WUTK and the Vol Network. Keith’s grandfather, C.L. McPherson, also played football under General Robert Neyland in 1932.
The Tennessee graduate has already been a “Voice of the Vols” in some capacity during his previous stint in Knoxville. While working at the Vol Network with Ward, Keith was handed duties as the “Voice of the Baseball Vols” from 1992-98.
His years in the industry have also been recognized among the best. Keith has been a 12-time Tennessee Sportscaster of the Year honoree with 20-plus recognitions from the Associated Press. He is a member of multiple Hall of Fame classes, including the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame, TSSAA Hall of Fame, BGA Hall of
and the University of Tennessee
Fame
Baseball Hall of Fame.
TREVOR MCGEE
Sports Editor
Newest “Voice of the Vols” Mike Keith. The former Tennessee graduate and Tennessee Titans radio voice returns to Knoxville after spending 26 seasons as the “The Voice of the Titans.” Courtesy of the Tennessee Titans
Dayne Davis (66) celebrates a Tennessee touchdown during a playoff game against Ohio State at Ohio Stadium. Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024. Cole Moore / The Daily Beacon
Since you’ve been gone: An update on Tennessee athletics
TREVOR MCGEE
Sports Editor
While students have been away from campus, student-athletes have still been at work. The college football season came to a close, college basketball began conference play and spring sports seasons are getting underway, all during winter break.
Here is what you missed while you were away.
Tennessee football ends season in 2024 College Football Playoff
Year four under head coach Josh Heupel brought the football program to new heights. In the debut of a 12-team field, the Vols claimed the No. 9 seed and a trip to Columbus, Ohio, for the first round of the College Football Playoff.
Despite a mass exodus from Knoxville to Columbus from the fans, it was not enough for Tennessee to overcome Ohio State — who went on to claim a national championship game berth. The Vols dropped in blowout fashion, 42-17.
The season came to an end on the night of Dec. 21, giving Tennessee a 10-3 record to end the year. It is the second 10-win season during Heupel’s tenure, joining Phillip Fulmer and General Robert Neyland as the only two coaches in program history to reach that feat.
As 2025 comes to focus, a core of underclassmen lead the future of the Vols. Redshirt freshman quarterback Nico Iamaleava returns as the signal-caller, while the defensive secondary returns starters Jermod McCoy, Rickey Gibson III and Boo Carter.
“Just use it as motivation,” Iamaleava said after the loss. “We’ve been putting in work since January to get to this point, and it sucks to go out that way because that’s not who we are. I love this team. I love the team we have. Just the way tonight went was not the way we wanted it to go, and we’ll use that as fuel and motivation during this off-season to really hit it.”
Vols, Lady Vols basketball last undefeated tandem
Basketball season began hot for the two teams that share the Food City Center.
Tenth-year head coach Rick Barnes guided the men’s team to a 14-0 start to the season, claiming the No. 1 ranking in college basketball. Over break, the Vols defeated the likes of Illinois, Texas and Georgia — but suffered a defeat to Florida to break the unbeaten streak. The Vols were the last undefeated team remaining in college basketball.
On the women’s side, first-year head coach Kim Caldwell, has brought her intriguing sys-
tem into the SEC and has seen early success. The Lady Vols also began the season on an undefeated run, winning their first 13 games of the season. Eventually, Caldwell’s squad suffered a defeat on the final possession to No. 9 Oklahoma before losing again on the final possession to No. 6 LSU in the same week.
“I want to win for them, and I want to win right now,” Caldwell said after the loss to LSU. “So these games that we can’t get back, and they can’t get back, yes, maybe they are establishing something for the future, but I want them to be able to have the experience, too. I want them to get what they deserve.”
The two sides began the season a combined 25-0 before a loss came about.
Men’s and women’s tennis begin 2025 slate
Coming off successful 2024 seasons that included a Final Four appearance for the Lady Vols, both sides are starting hot in 2025. While few matches have been played, the product has been mostly successful.
The men’s team began the season ranked No. 13 with a doubleheader sweep before taking a road win at Middle Tennessee. The Vols are 3-1 to begin the season after suffering a loss to No. 4-ranked Wake Forest.
On a hunt to replicate the deep postseason run from the season prior, women’s head coach Alison Ojeda and her team began the season with a doubleheader win over Wake
Forest and an East Carolina sweep. The No. 18 Lady Vols are 2-0 to start.
Indoor track and field pace new year with strong outing
While the outdoor track and field season does not begin until later in the season, the indoor began strongly in College Station, Texas.
The Vols’ participants tallied a total of 10 first-place finishes while pulling in 36 topfive finishes. Additionally, 13 top-10 marks in school history were met, while one school record was broken.
Senior distance runner Canaan Anderson claimed the men’s 1,000-meter school record with a time of 2:23.38 — surpassing Alex Kay’s time of 2:23.91 during the 2021 indoor season.
Competing at Vanderbilt the following weekend, Tennessee track and field added eight more event wins. The Vols earned first place in the men’s pole vault, men’s long jump, men’s high jump and women’s weight throw on Friday, Jan. 17. The Lady Vols responded with wins in the women’s 60-meter dash, women’s 60-meter hurdles, women’s pole vault and women’s shot put on Saturday, Jan. 18.
Tennessee Athletics sets another revenue record for 2023-24
For the third straight season, Tennessee athletics generated a record amount of revenue.
During the 2023-24 fiscal year, the athletic department eclipsed $234,058,790 in total operating revenue — including ticket sales, concessions and all other revenue streams. That surpassed last year’s total of over $202 million.
A huge part of the increase in revenue has been from self-sufficiency, as ticket sales increased from $39.7 million in 2023 to $46.6 million in 2024 — an increase of 16%. The last two fiscal years have been the highestgenerating years of ticket sales for Tennessee. Additionally, $72.7 million in contributions were received which was a 233% increase from 2021. Overall, Tennessee has already outpaced its $200-plus million goal for the 2026-27 fiscal year.
“As we enhance our championship legacy across all sports, it is crucial to generate new revenue, especially in this new era of college sports,” athletics director Danny White said in a press release. “This enables us to invest significantly in our student-athletes, coaches and staff, giving us a powerful competitive advantage.”
Success is the key component of revenue. Tennessee’s third-place finish in the Learfield Director’s Cup is the best in program history, while the school also captured its third-straight SEC All-Sports title — a feat never accomplished before White’s arrival.
Kaniya Boyd (4) shoots a layup against LSU at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025. Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon
