The Daily Beacon

2 • THE DAILY BEACON

Orientation 2013 Creative Director Katrina Roberts

CAMPUS NEWS

krober56@utk.edu

Design Editor Alex Cline

acline5@utk.edu

UTK tweets parody, PR Justin Joo

information to the students, to the alumni, to the people interested in our program.

It’s not just in the class- That’s why I started to do it.” rooms that students can learn Geidner tries to keep the from UT; they can also do it tone light and personal on the on Twitter.

JEM Twitter, posting not only Nearly every facet of UT life events and news items from now has a Twitter feed, with the JEM school, but also news postings on every thing from about journalism and news department news, student and faculty accolades, and event information.

Student groups and organizations like the Lambda Student Union (@utlambda), Women’s Coordinating Council (@_WCC_), UT Film Committee (@ UTFilmCommittee) and the Tennessee Journalist (@tnjn), just to name a few, all have • Photo courtesy of Twitter.com Twitters detailing upcoming events and information about criticism, which primarily their groups. (Full disclosure: come from his own readings The Daily Beacon can be and suggestions from other found at @DailyBeacon). professors. He also uses it to But it’s not just students help with any student inquithat are pushing their college ries. work on the Internet, but facGeidner does not get paid ulty and the university itself extra for operating the JEM as well. Professors often post Twitter, but he doesn’t mind. links to articles and websites He simply enjoys doing it and dedicated to their area of views it as an extension of study, while university depart- his job. ments do their best to keep “I think my role as a profesin touch with students about sor is educating,” he explained, anything involved with cam- “and most of what I’m sending pus life. out here is education stuff. It’s Take Nicholas Geidner for very little PR except when I’m example. Geidner, an assis- highlighting stuff our former tant professor, runs the offi- or current students are doing. cial School of Journalism and That’s probably the most PR Electronic Media Twitter (@ function.”

UTJEM). Geidner came into He added, “And it’s just fun. the job just recently over the I try to keep it light and fun winter break when the previ- and encourage our students ous operator resigned from to be excited about journalthe post. ism. It’s an exciting job and an “I think I can speak with exciting career.” authority as ‘the School of A scroll through a Twitter Journalism and Electronic search reveals dozens of other Media,’” explained Geidner. “I UT affiliated Twitters, includthink it’s a good way to get out Staff Writer

ing ones for UT Student Life (@UTStudentLife), CCI Alum/Development (@utcci), the Bursar’s Office (@utkbursar) and UTK Panhellenic (@ UTKPanhellenic).

The official Twitter of UT is @UTKnoxville, which is operated by a team of about seven from the Office of Communications & Marketing.

Rebekah Winkler, Media and Internal Relations Coordinator, is one of the main content writers for the Twitter, although she said that no one on the team has a specific job.

“We have a social media team. But on that team there aren’t really defined roles as far as ‘you have responsibilities A, B and C.’ Our jobs are to interact with our social media audience, both in responding to tweets, responding to Facebook messages as well as looking for other content to put out there.”

Like most UT Twitters, @UTKnoxville posts news about UT; however, it is not limited to one department or one area of study, but rather covers all happenings at the university.

“Part of our job in representing the university is really to share what’s going on on campus...” Winkler said. “We really try to run the gamut of sharing the UT experience, what it is to be on campus.”

Of course, with all forms of social media, there can be concerns for inappropriate things getting published out to the ever public world of the Internet.

Winkler explained that, at times, various departments have come to her department

asking for advice on how to handle social media outlets like Twitter. She said that while there are no official UT guidelines, her department does give out some tips.

Her colleague, Leigh Shoemaker, assistant director at Communications and Marketing, jokingly called them “best practices.”

Shoemaker also said that she and her department aren’t too worried about UT Twitters.

“It’s not something that keeps me up at night,” Shoemaker joked. “We are not a central controlling office for university communications.

We would hope that when people are tweeting from an official account ... we would hope that they would bear in mind that they are representing the university.”

One such “best practice” is to be sure the person operating a department’s Twitter is someone that can be trusted in a professional manner, as they are representing the depart-

But not all UT Twitters are prised to see orange pants on necessarily viewed for infor- clearance for over a month,” and “Learning new things always a bonus of free time ... just found out that Muscle Milk contains no milk.”

But there are also unofficial and parody UT Twitters that are purely for amusement.

A more recent but popular Twitter is @VolMakeout. This Twitter is dedicated to posting pictures of liplocking and snogging UT students out on the town or in a frat house.

• Photo courtesy of Twitter.com There is also the Jimmy mation or are even at times Cheek parody Twitter (@ official. Many of the “famous” TheJimmyCheek), which members of UT faculty and has pseudo tweets from the administration have Twitters fake-chancellor saying, “Why that can be followed, such won’t these kids just leave me as UT System President Joe alone,” and “I heard that @ DiPietro (@UTPresidentJoe), volmakeout has a picture of or The Beacon’s editor-in- me getting cozy with a 20; this chief Blair Kuykendall (@ never actually happened. 20s BKblairing), who tweets links are for peasants. #franklinorto Beacon stories and how bust.” she thinks charity bell ringing The parody sites are of should only be done by the some concern to the univeryouth and elderly. sity. Generally, as long as the Those interested in UT Twitter account makes it clear sports also have a variety of that it is a parody site and not options. All of the big names an official UT channel, everyhave Twitters, such as Head thing is OK. Only when the Coach Emeritus Pat Summitt account tries to come off as a (@patsummitt), new football genuine UT property are there head coach Butch Jones (@ concerns.

UTCoachJones), and bas“Twitter covers parody,” ketball head coaches Holly Shoemaker said. “Parody is Warlick (@HollyWarlick) fair game and that’s great. We and Cuonzo Martin (@ love parody and we have a CuonzoMartin). great sense of humor here.”

And while he may no lonThe Jimmy Cheek-parody • Photo courtesy of Twitter.com ger be a part of the orange Twitter was one that caused and white, Derek Dooley (@ some concern, as there was ment, the school, the dean DerekDooley) has been known one originally that was not and the students. Winkler to offer great and humorous clearly a parody and tried to said that many departments insight into his days as UT pass off as a legitimate Twitter, utilize graduate students as football’s former head coach. which Shoemaker said had to their Twitter operators, which His verified Twitter features be dealt with. The current she said is fine as long as such gems as “4. Enjoying one, @TheJimmyCheek, is the department has full confi- taking advantage of the post- clearly labeled as a parody dence in them.

Christmas sales ... not sur- account.

Orientation 2013

THE DAILY BEACON • 3 Managing Editor Emily DeLanzo

CAMPUS NEWS

edelanzo@utk.edu

Associate Editor Preston Peeden ppeeden@utk.edu

UT app offers bright future David Cobb

Assistant News Editor Pull out your iPhone, go to the app store, and search for “Tennessee.”

The first result should be UT’s official smartphone app.

The app was created and released

by Blackboard earlier this year and is also available to Android and Blackberry users.

Gregory Billings, senior in computer science and co-director of SGA’s Technology Services Committee, said the app is a step in the right direction for the university.

“I think the app is right on track to make UT competitive with other technologically savvy schools,” Billings said. “Right now the app is in its early stages, only includ-

ing the things that Blackboard has.

However, give it some time and I believe the app will be very customized for our school and provide great services to students.”

SGA President Adam Roddy’s campaign promoted the development of the app. His administration didn’t have a major hand in the original development of it, but he plans to advocate for improvements to the app going forward.

“We envision this app to be something that you use almost every day, or at least with regular frequency,” Roddy said. “Not using it just to check up on information or just to look up one piece of information, but to be able to use it to help you academically just as a student.”

Roddy and Billings mentioned

the integration of “MyUTK” as a potential addition, as well as a GPS tracking system for buses.

The app has an athletics tab, where users currently can access news, scores and schedules for all UT sports, but an interactive ticketing addition specifically for UT students could be in the works.

“If it rains you have the high chance of completely losing your ticket,” Roddy said. “That happened at the Montana game last year. There were so many students who went in during the downpour, their tickets got soaked, they couldn’t scan them, and they couldn’t be let in.”

Roddy plans to suggest a system where student tickets can be scanned directly from the app, among a list of other possible additions.

“They might have some of it already on the agenda,” he said.

“But we want to make sure that MyUTK is integrated with it pretty fluently so that you can register for classes and pay fees, check your Volcard status, and do all that from your phone.”

On the current version of the app, users can also access the UT directory, look up courses, keep up with campus news and events and call UTPD. Billings encouraged students to visit the UTK Tech Services Facebook page.

“We are always looking for student input about any technological issues and ideas they have for campus,” Billings said, “including ideas for modules to add to the app.”

Tia Patron • The Daily Beacon

University of Tennessee iPhone app

Cheek, SGA collaborate toward Top 25 goal David Cobb

Assistant News Editor Chancellor Jimmy Cheek met with Student Government Association representatives for a luncheon on September 29, 2012. He fielded questions about a variety of topics, including UT’s progress in the Top 25 initiative.

Despite UT remaining at No. 46 in the most recent rankings, Cheek implored that progress is being made. He cited overall reputation and graduation rates as the factors needing the most improvement going forward.

“It’s hard to move,” Cheek said from his seat in the University Center’s executive dining room. “There are some schools that stay up (in the rankings) 40 years after they’re really down. It just takes a long time. It’s not like an event

where you can see a winner or a loser.”

The administration has been surprised by the progress that UT’s student body has made in regards to graduation rates, which is typically one of the categories that needs time for improvement to be made.

“When we started the initiative, we were at 60 percent,” Cheek said. “This year it’ll be at 66 percent. Until it gets to about 70 percent we’re not going to be able to move up.

That’s our most limiting factor of everything. All those above us are at 68 percent, 70 percent, 72 percent.”

He said that UT’s incoming freshman class ranks better than several schools in the Top 25, but keeping those students is a concern.

“Retention rate has moved from 84 percent to 85 percent,” Cheek said. “That’s one we

need to move higher. We need to get it at about 90 percent.”

Cheek joked with SGA president Adam Roddy, turning to him and telling him to grab hold of any freshmen he sees and tell them to “stay here!”

“I feel extremely good about the Top 25 goal,” the chancellor said. “And if you look at the Top 25 goal, we announced it in the worst economic times since the Great Depression. Others in my position around the country said ‘are you crazy, do you really think you can make progress in this kind of economic environment?’ The answer is yes.”

Ryan Ray serves as the parliamentarian for the SGA senate. He posed a pair questions to Cheek regarding the initiative and was impressed with the responses they elicited.

“I would encourage anyone that has qualms about the Top 25 initiative to at least attend

somewhere where (Cheek) is speaking,” Ray said after the meeting. “It’s good to know more about where we’re going as a school. I think that given the situation, Tennessee is doing their best and that the student body is in a really good place.”

Ray said that the luncheon was a good indicator of the respect the administration

has for UT students. Provost Susan Martin, Vice Chancellor for Student Life Timothy Rogers, Vice Chancellor for Communications Margie Nichols and Athletic Director Dave Hart were among the administration in attendance.

“I think one of the huge criticisms of SGA is that we don’t meet with higher administration and that we’re just kind

of their puppets, who make those that get elected feel better about themselves,” Ray said.

“It’s really frustrating because there are meetings and things like this. The administration is very open to students presenting concerns and hitting them with hard questions. Those questions weren’t easy for the Chancellor but he answered them well.”

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4 • THE DAILY BEACON

Orientation 2013 Editor-in-Chief Blair Kuykendall

CAMPUS NEWS Student Health center opens on-campus pharmacy RJ Vogt

News Editor Neither cold nor sickness will stand in UT’s way, at least not now that the Student Health Center has unveiled its new, fully operational pharmacy.

The pharmacy accepts all insurance plans and offers all of the medicines that a typical off-campus pharmacy would offer. It also accepts money from VolCard accounts.

UT partnered with Keystone Pharmacy Services to install the facility in spring of 2012. Christopher Jaffurs, Keystone’s vice president of business development, explained that the pharmacy’s purpose revolves around convenience.

“The reason the university wanted it here in the Student Health Center is that by having the pharmacy here, when students are sick they don’t have to leave campus to go get their prescriptions filled,” Jaffurs said.

“That medication non-compliance, in other words people not taking their medicines or even getting them, is a huge health problem nationwide for all types of population.”

The fear was that students who went off-campus to fill prescriptions often forgot or ignored the advice.

“Sometimes if they don’t feel really bad, they won’t get it at all. They just end up getting sicker and they wind up back here again,” he said. “So by making this convenient, it’s easy to get to, and it’s the same prices they would pay at any pharmacy off-campus. It’s a real incentive to come; not only is it easy, but most of the time you’re going to pay the same price.”

The pharmacy officially opened in November, but due to construction and other hold-ups, the grand opening was saved for February, Jaffurs said.

Inside the small shop, a few shelves hold basic amenities like toothpaste, condoms, deodorant and lotion. A pharmacist and certified pharmacy technician handle the customer interactions.

For Jim Boyle, the Student Health

Center administrator, the presence of a pharmacist inside the Student Health Center is a dream come true.

“We haven’t had a pharmacy in forever, so it’s been one of my goals to get a pharmacy here,” Boyle said. “It’s a multiple benefit situation. It benefits the health center because we have a pharmacy and our doctors can talk to the pharmacist and back and forth.

You give better care.”

He echoed Jaffurs sentiment that some students may not have been filling their prescription in a timely manner, and said that the pharmacy’s convenience would stop that problem.

“They’ll be able to get the medicines they need more quickly, and hopefully if there’s a problem, they can come in and talk to somebody about it,” he said. “You shouldn’t have the volume you have at regular pharmacies, you should actually be able to talk to the pharmacist pretty easily here.”

The pharmacy is open to the public and holds the same licensing of any other pharmacy in the country, but Boyle said the primary customers are students.

“It should be extremely competitive,” he said. “If you’re on campus and it’s easy to stop by, it should be a little more convenient. It’s designed to be convenient to students, but if it’s convenient for the faculty and staff as well, great.”

Boyle also mentioned the educational possibilities of the Student Health Center’s newest feature. UT has a competitive pre-pharmacy program.

“I’m sure there will be, but we haven’t established it yet,” he said.

“At other schools I’ve worked at, that’s been a big part of it, and we have enough room to do it. We have to get on our feet, but I know that’s in our plans for the future.”

The pharmacy opens at 8:30 a.m. every weekday except Wednesday when it opens at 9 a.m. It closes at 5:30 p.m. and is not open on weekends.

bkuykend@utk.edu

Chief Copy Editor Eric Nalley enalley@utk.edu

UT Torchbearer casts shadow on green initiative Emily DeLanzo

Managing Editor

Emilee Lamb

Staff Writer The Torchbearer has lit the way for students for several decades at UT. Shining brightly through rain showers and final exams, many see the Torchbearer as a symbol of big orange pride.

With its ongoing fire, however, some students are beginning to question its environmental impact.

Franco Sebastián D’Aprile, a freshman in sustainability, sees the Torchbearer as a “symbol of unity to students.”

D’Aprile also sees the Torchbearer as a large source of pollution and energy consumption on campus.

“It represents the face of the university to the outside world, which is why we should strive to make it sustainable,” D’Aprile said.

Fueling the never-ending flame comes with drawbacks. The university paid $6,600 in 2011 for natural gas to keep the fire burning bright. In addition to its costly upkeep, the emissions produced by the burning natural gas have raised alarm for several students.

“The Torchbearer produces a staggering amount of emissions every year, roughly 30.8 metric tons per year,” said D’Aprile. “The harm the torch causes to the environment will not help UT reach its ‘green’ goals.”

Most students see that, regardless of the emissions

of the Torchbearer, the light deserves to burn on. Terry Nowell, a senior in biochemistry and psychology and former SGA vice president, feels the Torchbearer represents more than just an ongoing flame. To him, the Torchbearer’s purpose is “to bring new students in and to continue lighting the fire for students that are here.”

Some students share fond memories around the Torchbearer. One of Nowell’s most profound memories involves serving as an Orientation Leader and bonding with new UT students around the statue. Despite the valuable tradition, however, Nowell recognizes a need to change the torch’s energy source.

A few members of the campus community have started proposing solutions that revolve around artificial lighting or alternative fuel sources.

“Some solutions include taking out the flame completely and replacing it with an artificial flame composed of LED lights. We could also plan projects that would offset its environmental footprint (planting trees, installing solar panels, installing wind turbines, reducing the waste of the university by increasing recycling),” said D’Aprile. “Also, the university could buy carbon credits to offset the emissions.

Another good option is replacing natural gas with recycled methane from the water treatment plant by UT. This idea would need

further consultation with the plant to evaluate its viability.”

Within the parameters of UT’s goal to become a Top 25 public research institution, sustainability is as large of a priority as tradition.

“I personally believe that the Torchbearer is very important to UT, and so we should not make changes that are too big to it.

We should try to do things that would not upset either UT alumni, current students, or administration,” D’Aprile said.

“However, w e

need to keep in mind that whatever decisions are taken sacrifices will have to be made.

Nevertheless, I am completely certain they will pay off in the long run.”

Sacrifices towards pushing the campus community to a more sustainable lifestyle begins at home just as much as the Torchbearer.

UT often encourages students to improve their environmental footprint by reminding all members of the campus community to do the small things, like turning off the lights in an unused room or recycling

plastic bottles.

“Because UT is so big, little steps — if taken by many students — can have a big impact. Students should not see being ‘green’ as a chore or sacrifice, but rather as a good deed that will in the long run help them,” D’Aprile said.

This year’s freshman orientation is focused on sustainability. With that, students like D’Aprile hope a green Torchbearer will be available to show off to incoming students, proving that UT is advancing in areas like academics and sustainability.

Orientation 2013

THE DAILY BEACON • 5 News Editor RJ Vogt

CAMPUS NEWS

rvogt@utk.edu

Assistant News Editor David Cobb dcobb3@utk.edu

Cumberland construction to change culture, cause temporary delays David Cobb

Assistant News Editor Around the time that Butch Jones starts his makeover of the UT football program in the fall, renovations will also begin on another UT staple.

Cumberland Avenue, or the Strip as it is popularly known, is set to undergo a massive revamping beginning in the fall that will take an estimated three to four years to fully complete.

“The idea is to shift it from being a ‘through street’ of people using that street to get to points west or east, to a ‘to street,’” Cumberland Avenue project manager Anne Wallace told the student senate in the University Center in February. “We want people coming there, parking their car, getting out and walking around enjoying the shops and other amenities there — then it’s okay if it slows down just a little bit.”

Construction will start on Cumberland at 22nd Street going westbound, narrowing the road to two lanes with one going in each direction, and will go down to the Baker Center, which sits between 16th Street and 17th Street.

All the side streets that currently allow only one-way travel will be modified to become two-way streets.

“It’s to allow for more pedestrian space, to make a more pleasant pedestrian environment and also to change the shape and the feel of Cumberland Avenue,” Wallace said.

The planning process for the project began in 2006 with meetings held on the UT campus discussing the possibility of revamping the street.

Seven years later, the actual process is close to beginning, but Wallace acknowledged that the project could cause additional traffic for those who rely on the street for everyday vehicular travel.

“One of the major concerns was just the time that we’ll have delay,” she said, “especially in the afternoon peak.”

To compensate, 15 to 20 percent of traffic will be routed to Neyland Drive.

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero was also present at the meeting and spoke up to offer her sympathy to students that may be inconvenienced by the project, which will occur simultaneously with a number of construction endeavors on the UT campus.

“We are making every effort for it to go smoothly, but people will be inconvenienced,” Rogero said. “I live in South Knoxville, and the Henley Street Bridge is closed and will continue to be closed for another year, unfortunately. People will be inconvenienced, just like you all are now with the construction. But it’s something that if we live through, the next students in these seats will really be enjoying it.”

The remodeled version of the Strip will feature a standing median rather than the current center turn lane, which runs for most of the street’s length.

Although that addition will prevent some left turns directly into businesses, it’s all part of the goal of making the strip more pedestrian friendly.

“What we came up with is using a median to direct leftturn movements,” Wallace said. “So you’ll be able to

File Photo • The Daily Beacon

The Strip will begin renovations late fall. make left turns at all the side streets, but you might not necessarily be able to cross Cumberland Avenue into the McDonald’s location, specifically. You might have to loop the block, use the alley or a side street.”

More information on the project can be found online at cumberlandconnections. blogspot.com.

6 • THE DAILY BEACON

Tuesday, May 28, 2013 News Editor RJ Vogt

CAMPUS NEWS

rvogt@utk.edu

Assistant News Editor David Cobb dcobb3@utk.edu

Ray’s offers unique dining experience RJ Vogt

News Editor Sidewalks crisscross the lawn in front of Ayres Hall, providing students pathways to traverse the Hill and its many buildings. But off to the side of South College, away from the paved concrete, a dirt trail leads down to a place most students never see: Ray’s Place.

A small restaurant nestled into the bottom of South College, Ray’s Place offers fresh sandwiches, coffee and hot lunches, as well as dedication to customer service from its unique owner, Ray Mowery, Sr. Why is he unique? With two quick taps of a quarter, Ray casually explained that both of his eyes are plastic.

“I stuck a nail in my right eye when I was seven, and was running through the house a year later and tripped over a throw rug on the floor and fell on the chair and the arm of it knocked my left eye out of the socket,” Ray said, adding that he’s glad God only gave him two eyes.

“As I’ve said all of my life, aren’t you glad God didn’t create us with four eyes?

Think about it ... as spastic as I was, I would’ve had two more accidents,” he joked.

His light attitude translates to the checkout process at Ray’s. Customers simply tell him what they are purchasing and how much money they are giving him.

Ray often offers deals on meals, like a ten-cent discount on a sausage biscuit and coffee because it’s “good

File Photo • The Daily Beacon

A student purchases goodies at Ray’s Place. Ray’s Place is a small restaurant located on the bottom side of the hill. It’s been a campus staple for years. ole Friday’s Eve.” “Everybody here is really friendly, talking to Ray is always cool. He treats you as a friend even though he probably doesn’t know you from anyone else,” said Ryan Hammond, junior in biological sciences and frequent customer at Ray’s. “Every time I’ve ever talked to him

it’s been a good conversation.”

Garrett Barnett, sophomore in food science and technology, said he probably eats there twice a week.

“It’s really convenient being on the Hill,” Barnett said. “... It’s nice being right next to our classes.”

The food is prepared fresh

daily, and has been for the past 24 years. Ray and his family make sandwiches, cook a variety of hot lunches and brew their own coffee and tea.

“We run a very small operation, but a full complement restaurant,” Ray said.

Born and raised just five miles from South College,

he is happy to be part of the Volunteer community.

“I get a blessing out of just knowing that God has granted me the opportunity to not only meet all of you wonderful young people year after year, but that I can share some of the blessings that God has blessed me with,” Ray said. “I employ, part-

time, several UT students.

I’m tickled to death that I can, in a small way, contribute to the campus life here.”

For Ray, the small restaurant is more than a job.

“I enjoy being with all of you wonderful young people,” he said. “I’m really relaxed here and I consider this place my home.”

Orientation 2013

THE DAILY BEACON • 7

8 • THE DAILY BEACON

Orientation 2013 Arts & Culture Editor Victoria Wright

ARTS & CULTURE

vwright6@utk.edu

Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Melodi Erdogan

merdogan@utk.edu

Volapalooza does it again Molly Loftus

Staff Writer Experimental world fusion and hip hop collided at the end of the semester for for UT’s annual Volapalooza.

While the event, which was held by the Campus Entertainment Board, did not reel in as many students as last year, the student staff that had been planning all year for the concert was generally pleased.

Performers this year included headliner Tyga, electronic group Beats Antique, DJ Mike Nasty, and hula-hooper Calliope.

Several students flooded in as Tyga’s performance drew nearer, seemingly tripling the amount present for the opening act.

“I think the turnout was pretty good,” said Jill Vernich, freshman in journalism and volunteer for the event.

Student staff composed of

volunteers from the CEB and the Volapalooza event committee expressed their excitement before the show.

“He’s hype. I expect it to be crazy,” said CEB volunteer and anthropology student Kortney Williams.

Explicit lyrics weren’t the only things being dropped throughout Tyga’s performance. At one point the rapper jumped off the stage causing his body guards to rush by his side. As part of his introduction, Tyga encouraged the crowd to videotape his performance, despite deliberate rules against doing so.

Several female students were chosen at random by Tyga’s team to join him on stage for a song. They danced and got pictures with the rapper before returning to the crowd. Tyga continued to interact with the audience with his song dedication to a student in the front row.

Matthew DeMaria • The Daily Beacon

Beats Antique, an experimental music group, performs during Volapalooza in Thompson-Boling Arena on April 26.

“His entrance was one of the best parts,” said concert attendee Grant Gyler. “(Tyga) popped out of nowhere.”

Opening for Tyga was the live electronic and experimental world fusion group from San Francisco, Beats Antique.

The band is often compared to Bassnectar, but adds a unique flare with the world-renowned belly dancer and band member, Zoe Jakes.

Jakes changed outfits every other song, even sporting a hockey mask at one point, and

this the first time they had performed in an arena, which Cappel said is a childhood dream, but it was also the first time they had performed with a hip hop artist like Tyga.

Band members, Tommy “sidecar” Cappel (drums) and David Satori (producer) said their love of playing music is reflected in their performance.

“There’s nothing that I Before the show, the band unanimously admitted that would rather be doing than they had no idea how it would (performing),” Cappel said.

Despite this deviation from turn out and they were curious to find out. Not only was their usual crowd, the band concluded the performance with an antler headpiece with beads drooping from each nook and cranny.

She swept the smoky stage, disappearing and reappearing from her white, flowing dress, which mimicked the consistency of the parachutes used in elementary gym class.

said they were excited to play for UT students.

“I think our audiences are ever-changing,” said Cappel.

“We definitely attract the people who want to come out and get down.”

The band said they are used to performing for around 500 people, which is one fourth of the pre-sale tickets Volapalooza sold alone.

Beats Antique said they are in the process of making a new record which will debut this fall. Cappel said this next record will be more of a concept record than past albums.

Without revealing too many details, Satori said the not-yettitled record will feature characters and each song will serve as a component of a story.

Between acts, Glenda Jordan, better known as Calliope, mesmerized the crowd with her LED hula-hoop dancing.

“My favorite part was the hula-hoop girl,” Jill Vernich said.

Jordan spun the hula-hoop around her shoulder and balanced on one leg as the lit up hula-hoop circled her ankle with seemingly no effort.

Simultaneously, Jordan danced to the beat as DJ Mike Nasty spun in the booth.

Spalding brings electric show to Bijou Melodi Erdogan

Assistant Arts & Culture Editor

Emily Delanzo • The Daily Beacon

Esperanza Spalding, a double bass prodigy, performs at The Tennessee Theatre on April 14.

Esperanza may mean hope in Spanish, but by the end of April 14, hope was replaced with satisfaction.

The Cultural Attractions Committee, with help from AC Entertainment, presented jazz/fusion artist Esperanza Spalding that night at the Tennessee Theatre as a part of her Radio Music Society tour.

“For all of our events we’re looking for different kinds of cultures that will bene-

fit the UT campus and the Knoxville community specifically,” Wade Scofield, the corresponding secretary for the CAC, said. “Esperanza ... fit really well with our mission as a jazz/fusion cultural conglomeration that people aren’t usually getting, at least not here in Knoxville.”

A partnership with AC Entertainment allowed the CAC to charge students with a valid student ID $5 for tickets. Scofield, a junior in religious studies, said that the committee strives to make their events available

and accessible to all students.

“The WannaBeatles and Bela Fleck, which were free to UT students, were some of our largest turnouts that we’ve seen from students in a long time,” Scofield said regarding other shows the CAC has hosted this past year. “Five dollars doesn’t seem like much, but when people actually have to get a five dollar bill out and pay, or get it from the bank, or get a twenty and break it up, they’re less likely to go to the concert.”

Evan Ford, sophomore in

philosophy and economics, said he appreciated CAC’s low ticket price, especially considering Spalding’s “jawdropping performance.”

“I actually might not have paid $50 to come because of the whole college student thing,” Ford said. “But I definitely would have wanted to and been sad that I couldn’t.

“Esperanza made a joke about being highbrow, but these are really good attractions, so I’m really happy that CAC had Esperanza come and perform.”

See SPALDING on Page 9

Orientation 2013

THE DAILY BEACON • 9 Arts & Culture Editor Victoria Wright

ARTS & CULTURE SPALDING continued from Page 8 As a part of her Radio Music Society tour, Spalding performed songs from her latest album of the same name. Centered on the importance of the radio, the stage featured a radio graphic printed on a canvas in front of the band.

Spalding performed her fittingly named “Radio Song” at the end of the set.

“She was offering a positive commentary on why radio is important, why we need to keep the radio on, how people benefit from the radio and, even on a smaller level, how aesthetically minute happiness that radio gives out,” Scofield said.

“The way she incorporated those ideas with her music was thrilling to me.”

Spalding grew up attending various music schools and participating with a number of music companies at a young age, having completed her GED by age 16. With the release of her first album in 2006, titled “Junjo,” the Portland, Ore., native gained enough fans and recognition to continue her music career.

The band, which included a set of brass instruments, a piano and an electric bass, were introduced twice by Spalding herself, showing the dynamics of the relationship between instruments in jazz music. Spalding’s jazz bass and euphonious voice filled the Tennessee Theatre and combined with her talented band to create a soulful atmosphere.

“The Tennessee Theatre is a big place and we’ve had trouble filling the Tennessee Theatre with our events. I am thrilled to see not only a number of people here, but the diverse group of people that showed up,” Scofield

said. “People really seemed to be into it. Overall, the event was invigorating and it was nice for us to see the number of people who were interested in this kind of genre.”

For her encore, Spalding, clad in a tiered, cream-colored dress and metallic gold heels, performed a solo with only her bass. Although East Tennessee is known for its wealth of country and Americana music, Ford said he was impressed by the turnout for a jazz artist.

“I was surprised by the number of people who were here that seemed to know their stuff, jazz wise,” he said. “It was exciting, especially being from Nashville where you expect it to be ‘Music City.’ You seem to see more musical openmindedness in Knoxville as was shown tonight.

“I personally think she was great because she sort of acted as a way for people who don’t know jazz to come out for $5 and see one of the best jazz artists out there, and it’s also really interesting to people who don’t know anything about that style of music.”

Spalding was the last performer for the CAC’s spring 2013 season.

“I think she was a great choice to finish off the season,” Melissa Lee, senior College Scholar studying neuroscience, said. “I think the people that came seemed to really enjoy it.”

Scofield said that having the Grammy award-winning artist finished off the CAC season with a bang.

“She’s on her way up,” he said. “(Spalding) was exciting, innovative, electric and really generally awesome. I had a really great time, and with the committee we hope that everyone enjoyed the show just as much as we did.”

vwright6@utk.edu

Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Melodi Erdogan

merdogan@utk.edu

Student displays artistic talent Samantha Trueheart Staff Writer

Glenda Jordan, a senior majoring in studio art with a concentration in drawing, figured out early in life where she could be herself and grow as an artist.

Jordan is a performance hula hooper, who learned of the art in 2007 when she was participating with her family in RAGBRAI, an event where teams bike across Iowa in seven days. During the day teams ride approximately 80 miles, but at night the groups participating get the chance to let loose and have fun.

“A girl hoop danced as a part of the show, and I had never seen it before,” said Jordan. “And I just thought it was the most amazing thing I had ever seen to that day. I knew at that moment, I just wanted to do it.”

Once Jordan received a hoop of her own, she began searching the Internet for websites and videos to learn more about the community and the art itself.

“I don’t know how long I sat

there watching every video I could get my hands on,” said Jordan. “I practiced everyday in my living room and pulled aside the couches. It was this obsession, like I couldn’t stop doing it and every new trick I learned was this total new thrill of learning something.”

When Jordan came to UT in the fall of 2008, she quickly became known as the “hula hooping girl.” She used her hooping to win the 2010 show, “UT’s Got Talent,” and won against the popular local musician, Brad Blackwell.

Hooping has allowed Jordan to experience a variety of opportunities she would not have received without the art.

In 2011, she was featured in a music video by the band The Ghost Ballerinas, and placed fourth in “Hooping Idol”, a global Internet competition.

Jordan studied abroad during the 2010 spring semester where she had the opportunity to perform at Club Queen, a Paris nightclub. Jordan was treated like a celebrity when she received her own hair, costume and makeup stylist to get ready for her fire hooping

performance.

“I got put on the podium and I did a fire performance in front of 500 people and everyone stopped and watched in the middle of the club,” said Jordan. “I felt so on top of the world. I remember that moment as knowing absolutely without a doubt that this is exactly what I wanted to do with my life, and I had never felt so empowered, excited and exhilarated and pumped up about performing.”

Because hula hooping is a rare performance practice, the Internet has helped aspiring artists to connect and learn about the evolution of the movement.

“The Internet is your friend and it’s an incredible resource because there are so many forums and chat rooms,” said Jordan. “It’s a growing movement, but often you don’t find other people who are doing it and the Internet is a great way to do that. And even if you live in the middle of nowhere, we do video jams and we will all dance in our living rooms together.”

Not only does the hula hoop-

ing community have an outlet to meet new people and share interests, the community teams together in philanthropic events as well. World Hoop Day is on the first Saturday every October and raises money yearly for a charity of their choice.

“Right now there is a big national campaign called ‘One Billion Rising.’ A lot of them are getting together to help end violence against woman,” Jordan said. “‘Hoops for Haiti’ was a program that Hoopers started; that after the earthquake there was so much aid as far as with food and shelter but hoopers were concerned with people being happy in the element of play in their life. Hoops are so cheap if you make them in the most basic way and it’s a sturdy toy that you don’t need any batteries you need to play with, so we sent over thousands and thousands of hoops so these children could have some sense of play and still be a child in the midst of all this turmoil.”

See HULA HOOP on Page 11

UT bookstore offers shopping alternative Melodi Erdogan

Assistant Arts and Culture Editor

Samantha Coley Staff Writer

West Town Mall isn’t the only shopping destination that offers more variety to a student’s wardrobe.

The basement floor of the University Center is formally known as a location students can purchase and sell books at the beginning and end of each semester. What students may be surprised to know is that the bookstore is also home to

trendy, non-collegiate and affordable clothing.

“There was a need on campus for non-collegiate clothing with prices friendly to a students budget,” said Heather Floden, manager of the bookstore.

Located on the right side of the bookstore near the customer service desks, displays of accessories and racks of clothing rest near the fiction books. Much of the clothing represents Orange and White, which appeal to girls interested in game day apparel.

“I love the clothing because it appeals to the UT student,” said Lindy Smith, an undecided sophomore. “It has fun game

day dresses and outfits, or things girls could wear to formals, mixers and date parties. Plus you can tell it is good quality.”

Dresses designed for the upcoming spring and summer seasons are available for females in a variety of sizes and colors from different brands, including popular label Lilly Pulitzer.

“I don’t think there is any one thing, but since we brought in Lilly it has been very popular,” Floden said. “Since we got Lilly in here it has gotten the word out.”

A popular choice for males are T-shirts from the Out of Print brand, featuring graph-

ics of popular novels like “Slaughterhouse-Five” by Kurt Vonnegut and “The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald, screened on T-shirts. Many of these shirts can be found on sale, ranging from $1-$6.

“I don’t really shop for specific clothing,” Summer Brown, freshman in management, said.

“I always just look for sales.”

Floden said that the store aims to keep prices at an inexpensive level, directed towards a normal college student’s budget at a maximum of $25 per item of clothing.

See BOOKSTORE on Page 11

10 • THE DAILY BEACON

Orientation 2013

Orientation 2013

THE DAILY BEACON • 11 Arts & Culture Editor Victoria Wright

ARTS & CULTURE HULA HOOP continued from Page 9 Jordan’s mother, Gayle Jordan, said she has had the opportunity to see her daughter grow into a unique artist and recognizes the importance of supporting Jordan in doing what she loves most in life.

“If I truly describe my favorite way to watch her hoop, it’s in the yard, when she’s not trying to learn a new skill, but she’s doing it just for the absolute joy it brings her to hoop,” Gayle Jordan said. “She’s smiling and happy, and you can watch her lose herself in the flow.”

Jordan said hula hooping has helped her find who she is as an artist and find happiness.

“I don’t who I would be without it,” Jordan said. “When I found

BOOKSTORE continued from Page 9 “I’ve never bought anything from the store because I am living on a college student budget but I would love to add something to my closet,” Smith said, who first heard about the store from a friend who does advertising for the bookstore.

The Lilly Pulitzer brand was initially introduced to the bookstore when a student had requested it.

Floden said that she encourages student input on the bookstore’s items.

“This is the student’s

hoop dance, it was this little plastic ring that I could manipulate my body and enjoy doing it; I enjoyed getting up and moving around and excising. It just made me so damn happy.”

Once Jordan graduates from UT this summer, she plans to launch her career as a performance hula hooper in Las Vegas,.

“I am 100 percent in support of her move to Las Vegas,” said Gayle Jordan. “She is right about having a limited amount of time in her life to have a career in performing, and she is wise beyond her years to take advantage of capturing that moment.

Not only do I support her move, I’ll do everything I can to help her when she gets out there to connect with contact people at clubs and events.” boutique and we want them to tell us what they want,” Floden said. “We want the students’ input.”

Brown said that she believes the bookstore should limit the types of clothing they sell.

“I haven’t been to the bookstore since I’ve been at school for any reason,” Brown said. “It’s a university store so I think normal clothes are irrelevant.”

The UT Bookstore is located in the UC, open Monday through Friday 8:30-5:30 p.m., 10:004:00 on Saturday and closed on Sunday. For more information, visit to www.utbookstore. org.

vwright6@utk.edu

Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Melodi Erdogan

merdogan@utk.edu

• Photo courtesy of Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg

Qween Amor of Orlando, Fla., dances next to opponents of same-sex marriage outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C on March 26, 2013.

Play tackles controversial issue Victoria Wright

Arts & Culture Editor It differed from your average play — no costumes, elaborate lighting or sets — but the issue it covered was prominent.

Visitors gathered in the Ula Love Doughty Carousel Theatre for a reading of the play “8,” which covers controversial constitutional amendment Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California.

The play was presented by UT’s Commission for LGBT People, UT Theatre Department, Issues Committee and the UT chapter of Amnesty International.

Dimi Venkov, senior in theatre and director of the performance, said the inspiration to bring the play to UT stemmed from when he saw the play being read by George Clooney in Los Angeles.

“Directing ‘8’ was very different,” Venkov said. “Focusing on the words (no acting, no fancy

designs, no effects) was much simpler and less stressful. The script is already so well written — we just worked to convey it clearly to the audience. Of course we all learn with practice, so this was inevitably going to be an easier process as I learn from mistakes of the past.”

Written by Dustin Lance Black, Academy Award-winning screenwriter of the movie “Milk,” the script is based on the case Perry v. Schwarzenegger.

Performers read from case testimonials and court transcripts, with one of the primary reasons backing Proposition 8 was the detrimental effects gay and lesbian marriages would have on heterosexual unions.

Though the play was read the night before the presidential elections, Venkov said there was no significance behind the date. But the coincidence of it served as an opportunity to remind people of the issue before they visited

the polls.

“I think the date enabled us to remind people of an issue that has been largely forgotten in the national election cycle,” Venkov said. “Four states have ballot initiatives today regarding same-sex marriage, so hopefully the issue gains momentum again so individuals around the country can marry the person with which they have fallen in love, sooner rather than later.”

The cast read to a full audience with nothing more than a spotlight hovering above them. The mood was serious, but scattered through the reading were humorous moments.

Venkov said many of the cast members were new to the stage.

“They were not actors onstage; they were ordinary individuals making rational arguments for marriage equality. And they were wonderful,” Venkov said.

After the reading, audience members stayed for a panel dis-

cussion with cast and same-sex marriage advocates.

Jessica Alexander, senior in theatre, enjoyed the performance.

“I wish we had more things like this on campus that were more informative,” Alexander said. “I just really support the cause and what they’re trying to do.”

Venkov, though hopeful to spread a message, said that the performance was more so a motivational tool than an attempt to sway opinions.

“I realize that we probably didn’t change minds last night.

We were probably preaching to the choir,” Venkov said.

“However, I hope people took away a structured, rational model for how to fight for marriage equality. This kind of step-by-step model is useful for the future fight in Tennessee. This is an issue where we can take advantage of public policy. Eventually, our votes will matter.”

12 • THE DAILY BEACON

Orientation 2013 Arts & Culture Editor Victoria Wright

ARTS & CULTURE

vwright6@utk.edu

Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Melodi Erdogan

merdogan@utk.edu

Dance show brings cultural performance Melodi Erdogan

Assistant Arts & Culture Editor Despite wind, rain and flood warnings, UT students and the Knoxville community gathered at the Bijou Theatre to see “Step Afrika!”

The Cultural Attractions Committee hosted the event and invited the professional step dance company to Knoxville for a special performance designed for college students. Step Afrika! performed various step dance routines, ranging from modern to traditional dance, and the event showcased the company’s ability to promote an understanding of different cultures and traditions.

“We wanted to bring something cultural and we liked that (Step Afrika!) mixed music and dance together and it’s a historic tradition with the African American community, and it is definitely within our goal to bring cultural events like this to Knoxville,” Elaina Spiekermann, president of the Cultural Attractions Committee and senior in logistics, said.

Tour manager of Step Afrika!

Brian McCollum is in charge of venue logistics and details, such as designing specific lighting, organizing space on stage for the dance routines and preparing sound with microphones.

McCollum said that step dancing began with college students in fraternities and sororities in the early 1900s. “(Students) would gather round (at) school on their breaks and after class and they would start singing, and then stepping and then clapping their hands and that’s really where stepping started, in the college arena,”

McCollum said. “Historically it started with African American fraternities and sororities but now you can see it everywhere.

You have step ministries, you have it in commercials and movies, so it’s not just for college students and it’s not just for African Americans, it’s for anybody who loves to dance.”

The show was opened by a step dance performance by the African American fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma. Keith Thomas, junior in sports management, is the second vice president of Phi Beta Sigma and handles coordinating and assisting the president and the vice president.

Thomas and his brothers said their opening performance’s goal was to pay tribute to original step dancing roots from Africa.

“We just found it as a way to step out of our comfort zone.

We’re usually around college students and we do things for Greek organizations, but sometimes we try new opportunities for new experiences and we felt like it would be fun,” Thomas said.

Twyneshia Vaughn, junior in special education, said she was pleasantly surprised with the performance.

“At first I expected a lot of wilderness and wild dances, but I enjoyed the entire show,” Vaughn said. “It was full of energy and it was back to back of them giving all they had, there were no parts where they were lacking anything. I love stepping and I figured this event would be something different and I enjoy different things, so I’m pretty glad they came.”

The show, originally from Washington, D.C., attends

Emily DeLanzo • The Daily Beacon

Step Afrika! members dance to drums and wear traditional costumes during a live performance at the Bijou Theatre on Wednesday, Jan. 30.

NACA (National Association of College Activities) to reach out to young college students and makes a point to perform at elementary, middle and high schools. “(Grade school shows) are more education-based and we try to focus on the three most basic and major parts of stepping: teamwork, commitment and discipline,” McCollum said.

“We are here to share, expand and educate people about the art form of stepping, and we do that through workshops, and we have residencies and we have our shows.”

McCollum said that his favorite part of performing is seeing the emotions that the audience experiences throughout the show and hopes that their performance will make the dance company memorable.

“I love when you can see different emotions in people, when we can take people from laugh-

ing to just crying to screaming to having so much fun. What we try to do is have people remember Step Afrika! as an experience and not just a show,” McCollum said. “Once we perform we want to make friends, we want to give our all so that the audience will want to be our friends. We try to reach out so it’s not just a show but ... an experience.”

Concerned about weather conditions before the event, Spiekermann said the committee was excited about the large amount of people who attended the show.

“We were really worried about the turnout because my umbrella went inside out twice today,” Spiekermann said. “A lot of people showed up, and we had a lot of tickets purchased by the Knoxville community, so we like that they can get involved as well. A lot more students showed up than we thought

would.”

Considering the flood and tornado warnings all across East Tennessee, McCollum said the event had a great turnout.

“It was an amazing crowd, I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” McCollum said. “I was a little concerned because I didn’t know there was a tornado warning, and I looked out my window and I thought this is going to be interesting. Given all the circumstances, I think we had an amazing turnout and the crowd gave us so much energy and we just gave it all right back.”

The dance company had just arrived back from touring in Spain and Italy before coming to Knoxville. McCollum said the goal with their performance is the same everywhere.

“We travel all around the world trying to share this dance, everybody loves to dance,” he said. “We always say that people love to eat and people love to

dance. That is one way that we reach out to other people, through dance.”

Thomas said that the event as a whole was a “blast.”

“The involvement with the crowd is something you don’t really see with a step show, or any show really,” Thomas said.

“I got to see amazing steppers, the fraternity learned a lot and it was an honor to be a part of this.”

The event’s goal was to let UT students and the Knoxville community appreciate the tradition behind step dancing, said Spiekermann.

“I hope (attendees) took a better understanding of the history of the black fraternities and their transition into universities and how stepping became a cultural way for them to bond.

We’re really glad that they came, this is the kind of thing that Knoxville needs, and when it comes Knoxville loves it.”

Orientation 2013

THE DAILY BEACON • 13

14 • THE DAILY BEACON

Orientation 2013 Sports Editor Lauren Kittrell

SPORTS

Manning hopeful for Vol football Lauren Kittrell

Sports Editor UT holds a history and a legend that can be found only in Tennessee football. Over the years, the program has hosted remarkable individuals, from General Robert Neyland to Phillip Fulmer. But in recent history, there is one name that has not only touched fans and athletes at UT, but people across the nation.

First-year UT head coach Butch Jones said he is a gentleman who needs no introduction.

He’s a Tennessee legend and lives the life of a true Volunteer.

He is Peyton Manning.

“I just want to publicly thank Peyton. We love him, and we are very proud of him,” Jones said.

Manning visited Knoxville during a short trip in April, meeting with Jones and high school coaches around the area, and taking time to talk with the football team and answer their questions.

Seizing an opportunity to invest in the future of Tennessee football, Manning communicated his support for Jones’ future at UT. After speaking with Jones a little more about his vision for the future of the program, Manning said he

lkittre1@utk.edu

Assistant Sports Editor Austin Bornheim abornhei@utk.edu

Coach Jones talks Twitter, recuiting Austin Bornheim

Assistant Sports Editor

Parker Eidson • The Daily Beacon

Peyton Manning signs autographs at the dedication of Peyton Manning Pass.

has great confidence in Jones’ qualifications for the job.

“I was impressed. I think he has a plan; he has a mission.

There is no question,” Manning said. “He has a short-term plan and a long-term plan. It made a lot of sense to me. Then getting with his staff, I can tell he selected these coaches very carefully and for a specific reason. They all bring something to the table.”

Manning encouraged UT fans to get excited about the program, support Jones’ efforts to revamp it and get ready to see some success in the future.

That said, he also thinks the process will take time and patience from coaches, players and fans.

“I think it is an exciting time for Tennessee football. I think people need to stay committed to it and stay patient with it,” Manning said. “It doesn’t happen overnight. I sure liked what I heard these past two days.”

During his time with the team, Manning, who is currently the quarterback of the Denver Broncos, said he was encouraged by the players’ enthusiasm to succeed in the future. He said he has faith that Jones has what it takes to take the program back to its glory

days.

“The players this year just have a great opportunity to kind of create their own legacy and to be part of a turnaround here at Tennessee,” Manning said.

“We all know the past few years haven’t been the most fun for the Tennessee football family and Coach Jones is determined to turn that around.

“It was a really impressive group of men that I got the chance to address, like Coach Jones said, they had some great questions about what they can do to be better and how they can create their own legacy and be part of a turnaround here in Knoxville. So I really enjoyed the time.”

As a Tennessee legend, Vol for Life and role model to young people around the world, Manning’s effect on UT didn’t end with his last game at Neyland Stadium or his graduation from the university. He said the university had a huge impact on his life and he enjoys coming back again and again.

“I had a wonderful four years here at (UT),” he said.

“Obviously there’s been a lot of changes from the time since I’ve been gone. But it’s still (UT) and it’s still Volunteer pride and I’m a huge fan of those.”

Sitting across from the head of the Volunteer football program — Butch Jones — my phone lightly vibrates in my pocket. Minutes after the interview is complete, I look at my phone and see that I had gained a new Twitter follower.

It was only fitting that it was a notification from the Twitter world due to the social media-heavy nature of the conversation with Jones.

Followers, mentions, hashtags and retweets have embedded themselves into the makeup of today’s society. A new world of social media has blossomed in the last decade and is continuously evolving. Jones might be 45 years old but he understands this fact. He also knows he has a program to sell and sees the potential this new form of personal branding provides.

“I believe it’s been a great avenue to be able to reach out to, what you had talked about, our passionate fan base, our student body, but also to our recruits as well,” Jones stated. “I think that anytime you have an opportunity to sell Tennessee football I’m excited to do it.”

And Jones feels he has a lot to offer those willing to buy in.

“When you look at the passion and tradition that surrounds our program, since 1927 we’re the all-time winningest football program in the country,” he noted.

Jones, who has over 75,000 followers on Twitter, has seen first-hand the magnitude of social media and the impact it has today.

When the former Cincinnati

Tia Patron • The Daily Beacon

Butch Jones sit down with the Daily Beacon sports desk on Feb. 19. coach took the vacancy at Tennessee, Jones saw his follower count boom with legions of Tennessee faithful who wanted to connect with their new ball coach. It was due to such a spike that Jones’ account was suspended for a time, attracting suspicion that his was a fake account.

“It was crazy, but it defines who we are,” he said with a smile. “The passion, the excitement, the want to be involved in what is going on inside our football program; it’s great and makes it exciting.”

And Jones has already begun using social media to tap into the fervent Tennessee fan base. The head coach frequently retweets fans, former UT players, and local businesses and restaurants.

“They’re what make this place special,” Jones said.

“They’re a part of what I call the football family.”

The other members of that family are the recruits, and

using social media to build relationships with recruits is a big part of what Jones does.

“Part of recruiting and everything is staying up with the times and it’s here to stay,” he said. “It’s part of our fabric now in society ... If you are not up on it, you’re going to get passed by.”

As much as using social media as a tool to go on the offensive and pitch Tennessee to prospective athletes, it’s also a way for the coaching staff to evaluate recruits.

“Absolutely, that (a recruit’s Twitter account) is one of the things we look at,” he said.

“To me, that shows a lot about their character.”

He hopes to continue to build the relationships — with fans, lettermen and prospective student athletes alike — via social media.

“You are developing trust over time so Twitter is great, Facebook and all of those are great resources to have,” he said.

Orientation 2013

THE DAILY BEACON • 15 Sports Editor Lauren Kittrell

SPORTS

lkittre1@utk.edu

Assistant Sports Editor Austin Bornheim abornhei@utk.edu

Matthew DeMaria • The Daily Beacon

Reese practices his game in Pratt Pavilion before the start of the 2012-13 season.

Reese paves path at UT Troy Provost-Heron Staff Writer

While freshman Derek Reese is just starting to make his name known on Rocky Top, this lanky 6-foot-8 forward has had his ups and downs, such as his stint on the Puerto Rican U19 team and offseason shoulder surgery.

As a three-sport letterman (football, track and basketball) at Olympia High School in Orlando, Fla., not to mention a baseball player in middle school, it is obvious that Derek is a natural-born athlete, but he believes that he was built to play the game of basketball.

“I always played basketball year-round,” Reese said. “I played it all the time, even during football season. Basketball has always been there and I always just loved it. I guess I was just built for it, I’m 6-foot8, at my size you don’t see to many football players that tall so I decided that I should focus on basketball.”

Even though UT is a long way from Reese’s home in Orlando, he said that the team felt like a family and that’s why he wanted to be a Volunteer.

“It felt like a family here,” Reese said. “I love coach Martin’s philosophy, that’s the way I was taught, always gotta play hard, always gotta play

defense nonstop, and at other schools it didn’t feel like a family, but here it felt like everyone was together. It feels like these are relationships I will have for the rest of my life.

It’s not just about basketball, it’s more of a family, and I felt like coach Martin was going to improve me on how to be a better player as well as a better person in life, and that’s what I liked a lot.”

Prior to attending Tennessee this fall, Reese was invited to play for the Puerto Rico U19 team (Reese was eligible due to his grandparents Puerto Rican descent) in the 2012 Nike Global Challenge in Washington, D.C.

“Before I left to come here, they (the Puerto Rican U19 team) had a tryout in Orlando,” Reese said. “At first, when they called me they were like ‘you made the team,’ but they wanted us to come during the summer and practice and I was little iffy because I just got here, I was having so much fun. I was working hard and I didn’t want to miss out on this but coach was telling me that I may never get another chance like this and that made me decide to go, and I’m glad I did because it opened a lot of doors for me.”

Reese went on to average 21 points, 12.3 rebounds and 1.3 steals in the four tournament games and was also named to the International All-Tournament Team.

“It was a good feeling,” Reese said. “It was a dedication to all the hard work I put in and I just had so much fun playing. We only won one game, but I had so much fun and it was a great experience.”

But this year hasn’t been perfect for the freshman.

Coming into the season he suffered a torn labrum in his right shoulder that required surgery and forced him to miss the first 10 games of the season.

“The rehab was tough,” Reese said. “It was a slow process, the first six weeks I couldn’t write, I couldn’t do anything with my right arm and it was really tough. I just worked hard and I actually came back two months ahead of schedule than I was supposed to.”

Reese has come back from the injury to average 4.3 points this season, but as junior guard Jordan McRae said, he’s as good a person off the court as he is on it.

“Derek is (a) cool man,” McRae said. “Derek is the kind of guy that if he has five dollars and you ask him for four, he’ll give you all five.”

Matthew DeMaria • The Daily Beacon

Reese elevates for a shot against Xavier on Dec. 29, 2012.

Matthew DeMaria • The Daily Beacon

Reese averaged 3.7 ppg in 14 games of 2012-13.

16 • THE DAILY BEACON

Orientation 2013 Sports Editor Lauren Kittrell

SPORTS

lkittre1@utk.edu

Assistant Sports Editor Austin Bornheim abornhei@utk.edu

Vols’ Price lives out dream Austin Bornheim

Assistant Sports Editor It hasn’t been the easiest road for Tennessee junior Scott Price.

From receiving only one offer out of high school — University of South Carolina Sumter Junior College — to the starting first baseman of the Volunteers, Price has clung to one thing through the years: his dream.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the pros,” Price said. “I can only take advantage of the opportunities given to me and this was my best opportunity. I want to take full advantage of it.”

Price graduated from Batesburg-Leesville High School in South Carolina “way out in the country” with just over 100 students. The first baseman wanted to continue his career and an offer from Junior College start-up USC Sumter was the only one on the table.

“Coach (Tom) Fleenor gave me a chance,” he said.

“I wasn’t recruited out of high school except for him and he gave me a chance to come in and play right away. I did and it was two of the best years of my life.”

During Price’s time playing for the Fire Ants, the team

captured a regular season regional championship his first season and finished runner-ups in the regional tournament in the next.

“They’ve really turned that place into something special.

We won, we won a lot there,” he said of his time at Sumter.

After his first season playing for Fleenor, the coach started pitching Price’s name around to larger universities.

Bill Mosiello, assistant coach and recruiting coordinator for Tennessee, was one of the coaches contacted.

“He (Mosiello) was sold on him (Price) the first time he saw him,” head coach Dave Serrano said.

But the prospective transfer still had obstacles to overcome and decisions to make.

Though Tennessee was the most high-profile program to approach him, UT didn’t have a scholarship to offer.

With offers from Richmond and Virginia Tech on the table, Price chose to be a recruited walk-on for Serrano and his young program.

“It is a great story and a tribute to he and his family,” Serrano said. “He didn’t receive a scholarship and he committed to us in the early signing period in November.

Then, he went out and had probably his best season of his

career and won a lot of awards in junior college and stood to his guns that he was coming to Tennessee. He was able to pay his own way and I think that is just a tribute to him and the type of person he is.”

Being part of the rebuilding process under Serrano was a big influence on Price and his decision to come to Tennessee.

“I want to be part of that process that gets this program back on the map and back to where it should be,” he said.

Price was rewarded for his commitment to the Volunteers by being named the starting first baseman for UT opening day against UNLV. And he didn’t disappoint.

The first baseman went 5-for-5 in his first game at Tennessee and, according to Serrano, might have set the bar too high.

“It might have been the worst thing he could have done,” Serrano joked. “By setting the bar at 5-for-5 the only place to really go is down.

But in all seriousness, I like what I have seen from him at the plate and he has, and will continue to be, a big part of our lineup.”

The transfer has started all 11 games for UT and been in the middle of the lineup.

“I think he is a very good first baseman,” Serrano said.

“He’s really saved some of our young infielders with some of their throws because he has done a good job around the bag. He’s been a run producer for us.”

Though Price continues to work everyday, he took the time to step back and reflect on his path to Rocky Top. “Coach Mo (Mosiello) gave me a chance up here and now it’s real,” Price said. “My dream has come true.”

File Photo • The Daily Beacon

Manning drives to the basket during a Lady Vols game in 2011.

VFL experience more than sports Lauren Kittrell

Sports Editor At UT, the name “Manning” has had and will always have a profound impact on both the academic and athletic sides of the community, but Peyton Manning isn’t the only “Manning” to make the transition from student athlete to Volunteer for Life.

While he may have set an example as a leader and supportive role model for many athletes across the nation and specifically at UT, former Lady Vol Alicia Manning has been quietly working to benefit the university since her years as a student-athlete ended.

“My five years (at UT) have been quite the journey,” she said. “It’s just been such an amazing experience and I’ve been really blessed to have such an opportunity both as a player and now as a graduate assistant for the Tennessee Fund. It’s just opened so many doors for me.”

Her time as an athlete continues to affect her life now as a graduate student, but one specific influence in her life has been legendary head coach emeritus Pat Summitt.

“Being able to play for Pat Summitt, especially in her last year as a coach here, the honor I feel, I can’t really put into words,” Manning said.

After the 6-foot-1 forward graduated a year early with a degree in sports management, Manning decided to continue her career and pursue a master’s degree with her last year of eligibility. After finishing her last year of school in the spring of 2012, Manning continued pursuing her master’s and graduated this May. “When I grew up there was never really a huge emphasis on academics, it was more like you did it because you had to to play a sport,” Manning said. “I realized the importance behind it when I got here and realized how it can help me in so many areas of my life ... It goes beyond the text book so I think that really has helped me a lot.”

Manning now works as a graduate assistant within the athletics department and she said it helps her to see behind the scenes and into the world of the people that made her college experience possible.

While Manning’ loves the university and her work, she’s

ready to graduate and move on to a new chapter of life. But that doesn’t change her desire to continue investing in UT. “I love UT. I think it’s the tradition that’s behind it and we’re such a dominating athletic department and the culture here is awesome,” Manning said.

“You want to always be a part of that. The Vol for Life thing, I think that really holds true.”

Manning has a heart for young athletes at UT who are in the process of making the same life decisions she had to.

She said she wants to inspire and encourage those students to press on and works toward a higher goal than just the next personal record.

“For the people that aren’t Vol for Life’s yet and are still here, don’t take what you have for granted and the things you have here for granted because it does go by so fast,” she said. “A lot of times athletes will go into survival mode instead of really trying to thrive. I say that in the academic sense and the athletic sense. I don’t want these kids to overlook how powerful academics can be.”

While Manning is looking forward to the next season of her life, it’s always hard to close the book on a chapter of life that has had such a large impact.

“It’s hard to believe that another chapter of my life is closing,” she said. “First was the collegiate athlete chapter closing and now it’s the master’s student chapter closing. It’s flown by and I guess the real world chapter is opening up.”

Orientation 2013

THE DAILY BEACON • 17 Sports Editor Lauren Kittrell

SPORTS

lkittre1@utk.edu

Assistant Sports Editor Austin Bornheim abornhei@utk.edu

Butch Jones brings excitement to Rocky Top Lauren Kittrell

Sports Editor

Austin Bornheim

Assisstant Sports Editor On Feb. 19, head coach Butch Jones sat down with The Daily Beacon’s sports editor and assistant sports editor to discuss the future state of UT football.

Q: Where do you see the program going in the short term?

A: You always go into a situation where you expect to win. We expect to win championships and we expect to compete at the highest level. Everything we do in our program is based off of excellence, from academics in the classroom, to how we perform in the community, to how we perform on the field... Everything is about competing on a day-to-day basis in all that we do. Do we have some work to do?

Absolutely, we have a lot of work to do, but I’m extremely encouraged by what I’ve seen... Winning is a process. It’s a journey. That’s why you have to take one day at a time.

Q: Next season. Let’s talk about short term goals. What are you working toward?

A: Right now, our team is being born.

It’s team 117. It’s the 117th edition of Tennessee football. No two teams are ever the same. Each team is different because one third of your players are different from year to year with college football. I think the big thing is developing our identity right now. We’re developing our personality by the way we train in this off-season. Now when we go to spring football, we’re also developing our personality on the field, our identity by the way we’re gonna play, the style of play, but also evaluating who our playmakers are. We’ve graduated, especially offensively, a lot of production so who are those playmakers gonna be? I think that’s the big thing. Really identifying who the individuals are that can help us win come next fall. That’s why spring football is critical. We’re identifying the players that we’re gonna be able to win with. I think it’s a step-by-step process. I think people always want to focus on the

end result and in terms we have to focus on the journey and that’s day by day by day, and it becomes a body of work.

Q: How excited are you about your signing class?

A: I’m excited about the class because, first of all, we had a recruiting profile. The world of college football and the world of recruiting has changed so much because of the media scrutiny. A lot of times the media blows 17-year-old individuals up who have never played a down of college football. You look at the National Football League and they invest millions and millions and millions of dollars in their industry of evaluation and they’re not always right. When you’re dealing with 17- and 18-yearold individuals like we are, we have a recruiting profile. We felt like we were able to attract individuals here in a very short period of time, a challenging 31 days, because recruiting is relationships.

That’s what it’s based off of... I think we were able to attract individuals that have very high character, they were champions not only on the field, but off the field in their high schools and they showed a passion and a commitment to want to be at (UT). I think they’re going to serve to be the foundation of this football team for many years to come... Out of those 21 signees, five are already enrolled in school right now taking classes and going through spring. I’m excited. Anytime you have an opportunity to sign the two quarterbacks that we signed with their talent and their skill set and their leadership, they’re winners, that’s going to lend itself down the road and I think we’re able to address some of our needs...

Recruiting is ongoing and next year’s class, obviously, will be critical as we continue to build the program.

Q: How confident are you in your ability to compete in the SEC? A: Football is football. Everyone wants to make things out about the SEC, but you look at some of the greatest coaches that have coached in this conference had zero SEC experience. People forget.

Even in the building of Alabama’s program, they forget the growing process that that program went (through) under Coach Saban when he first started the program there ... You can go on and on

about the individuals that had zero SEC experience, football is football. We’re in a development business. It’s about the program that develops their players to meet their fullest potential and then it’s about recruiting. You win with players.

It’s a whole deal... I’m excited about it...

It’s a league that challenges, not only week-in and week-out, but every day.

On the field, off the field, when you’re a competitor you want to compete against the best each and every day and that’s what the SEC brings.

Q: How do you see yourself reaching out to fans and students and getting them more involved in helping the program succeed?

A: They’re one of us and I’m a part of them. I think that’s big. It’s the pride of who we are. We’re one Tennessee, we’re Tennessee football and that’s why I’ve embraced our fans and our student body. They are special. Our fans, our student body, our media, everything that’s associated with our program, that’s what makes us who we are: Tennessee. That’s what makes this a very special place, because of the passion. You want to be at a place where football is important and obviously it’s very important here.

Q: You talk a lot about recruits.

How are you investing in the players you already have at UT? A: I never view them as this coach’s players or their players or our players. They represent Tennessee. They’re Tennessee players. I think that’s the first thing. They are our players, they’re Tennessee. It’s just like anything. We’re in the educational business so we educate them on everything. How you present yourself. That’s why VOLympics (Jones’ split his team into 10 teams with two captains each; the teams gain and lose points based on on-field performance, classroom performance, community service and team-building events) that we’re going through right now, our off-season competition, is critical. You try to teach them, coach them, mentor them, everything you can. What we’re trying to do right now is develop these relationships and trust, and trust is earned over time. As much as we’re developing, it’s like I told every individual football player, they’re in the process of building their own identity.

Tia Patron • The Daily Beacon

Butch Jones sits down with The Daily Beacon sports desk.

They’re building their identity by their actions both on and off the field. They’re building their personal brand. I’m a big believer in production and what you are doing to represent the (UT) football program. You keep hearing me say both on the field and off the field. Our theme right now is, ‘be a champion.’ Before we can ever think of being a champion football team, our team has to be comprised of individual champions... When you have a team comprised of individual champions then that lends itself to being able to compete for championships on Saturday... I’ve been really encourage by what I’ve seen so far.

Q: How do you make a team out of recruits coming in and players that have been passed on to you from another season and another coach?

A: It’s the most challenging thing.

Everyone thinks you just assemble a group of guys and you go out there and play football and there’s just so much more to it. The great teams win with

great team chemistry. I’ve never seen a team win championships that were a team comprised of individuals. It’s a team game and everyone is critical...

Everyone in our football program has a role. Some may have a larger role than others, but everyone has a role... That’s the biggest challenge in all of sports, especially in football, where you have 100-plus individuals. Getting them to think like (a team), to act like one, to be like one. That’s all part of being a team and that’s the most challenging thing.

That’s why I go back to VOLympics and dividing the team up into ten individual teams and each team has two captains.

It’s also a part of our peer-intervention program of developing leaders. I know as a coach, if these two individuals can’t lead a group of ten, they sure aren’t going to be able to lead a group of 100plus. Everything we do in our programs has a purpose. It’s little things that add up to the big things. You win with team chemistry... You can win a lot of football games that way.

18 • THE DAILY BEACON

Orientation 2013