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Letter from the Editor: Finding the art of getting
BELLA HUGHES Editor-in-Chief
For the last 16 years, I’ve lived by the academic calendar. May sets the end of a season and sparks reflection on lessons learned, mistakes made and a series of “what ifs.” August initiates a series of bucket lists, goals and reconnecting with my sweet schoolmates.
With every beginning, there is an end. Each May, I found myself saying goodbye to the people I formed close relationships and in whose company I spent the majority of my time. May meant I had to say goodbye to people who helped me find my landing and those who, even in the smallest moments, have had the greatest impact on my life.
I’m quite sentimental — if you couldn’t tell by my passion for greetings and goodbyes — so the start of the year constitutes a time to start anew. Life is always changing, but it’s how you react and get ahead of it that dictates the outcome.
This summer I interned in New York City — the capital of chaos and wishful thinking. Although the hustle and city streets reignited my passion for creativity and drive to succeed, I found myself lost on my true personal goal in life.
On the plane ride to New York, I stumbled upon a song titled “The Art of Getting By” by Laura Zocca. The song hums melodies about enjoying your youth, staying present in the small moments and staying persistent even after being let down. This song kickstarted my summer ideology of “making the most of today.”
It’s so easy to measure success by the level of productivity achieved during a day, but discovering a song that’s oddly applicable to your life may flip
your perspective on its head.
Delayed metro trains, walks by the pier, solo trips to museums and a spontaneous trip to Harlem exposed me to a world I limited myself to — a world stuck in arbitrary definitions of success, limited expression and a fear of change.
As I enter my senior year, I can’t help but think about the freshman who enrolled at UT on a whim. I was an intimidated out-of-state student who wanted a major life change — and boy did I get it.
Freshmen year taught me to be resilient, show up for myself and stay connected to home. For those entering their freshman year — congratulations. You just started a pivotal chapter that you’ll look back forever. For those same students, good luck. You’re entering the art of getting by.
Returning Vols, welcome back! Can you feel the energy? It’s the feeling of entering a classroom and seeing your in-class buddy, seeing Neyland for the first time in two months and the joy you feel when your friends are in the same room again.
Although the Beacon can’t reach all of you on a personal level, know that we are a campus paper. The stories we tell are for you and by you. We hope to be a common ground and an outlet to break up the monotony that all college students get caught in.
You may not know your personal life goal or how to navigate the art of getting by, but that’s just it. We are all just getting by.
Letter from the Managing Editor: Find freedom by creating margin
If you’re like me, you are naturally a busy, busy bee, constantly stuck with a weekly schedule crammed with things to do and places to be. It’s a schedule you crafted on your own accord, yet it’s also the reason you keep having to do your homework at 1 a.m.
Of course, as a college student paying rent and buying gas, my days are always filled with classes and work. There’s not much any of us can do about that. But instead of reserving my evenings for rest and recuperation, I find myself filling those as well — with small groups or campus organizations or weekly bowling nights.
As a freshman and sophomore, I divided my metaphorical eggs into several different metaphorical baskets, and I’m glad I did. I had something to do almost every night of the week, and that allowed me to explore different communities and evaluate how I fit in them.
But with this overloaded calendar, I ran into a problem that my dad calls “margin.” When you keep yourself so busy making commitment after commitment, you leave yourself with no margin to say yes to anything extra — like a night in with a friend or a double date.
The issue of margin is twofold, though, because when you commit yourself to something week in and week out, you unintentionally set an expectation for yourself. You end up feeling like you have no choice but to continue committing — overcommitting. You feel pressured by the friends you’ve made at these activities to keep coming even when you haven’t had time to do your homework and you’d rather stay home to call your mom.
If you’re like me, this is a cycle you can’t seem to break because you’re naturally a busy, busy bee — and, on top of that, a people-pleaser.
If I could be involved in every student organization that interests me and participate in every activity, I totally would. But there’s not enough time in the day, and there’s not enough margin in my schedule. So I’ve found a couple places on campus I care a lot about that I’m choosing to invest in. It’s better to be fully present in one place than to divide
your loyalty amongst many.
This year, I’m learning to create more margin in my life for the things I love doing and the people I love seeing. I’m exploring the freedom to be found in allowing myself to say no to commitments I don’t have to make and to take time off to unwind, call my mom or spend time with my husband. If you’re like me, that’s my encouragement to you as we begin this semester: find your niche on campus and find freedom by creating margin. Invest in the places, organizations and people that you connect with — they are where you will find community and fun. And some of them will shape your time at UT in the best way. But allow yourself the freedom to take time off from those commitments when you need to, and make sure to leave yourself margin to say yes to other things. Don’t overcommit. Be present. Have fun.
During her time in New York City, Editor-in-Chief Bella Hughes found walks by the pier helpful in breaking up the feeling of “getting by.”
Courtesy of Bella Hughes
EMMA LOVE Managing Editor
Students line dance during the Tennessee Saturday Night event at the Student Union Plaza. Saturday, Aug. 17, 2024. Cole Moore / The Daily Beacon
Changes in campus transportation: Sustainable options, visitor spaces, routes
SHELBY WRIGHT News Editor
As students return to campus, one of the largest changes they will notice is the new parking initiative that the university is taking to try and reduce the parking congestion and headaches that have plagued students, faculty and staff for many years.
UT has split different parking lots and garages into zones, which has limited where students can park based on which type of permit they purchased — core, intermediate or remote.
Thus far, UT has sold over 21,300 total permits, including commuter, noncommuter, park-and-ride and employee permits.
The main goal of this new initiative is to decrease competition and increase the predictability of campus parking, according to Tanara Teal-Tate, the executive director of parking and administration at UT. The university has also been working with a parking consultant to ensure that the new changes align with national best practices.
However, the price increases for parking permits have frustrated some students and parents.
Teal-Tate told the Beacon that parking permit prices have not increased in several years, so adjustments were needed to not only match inflation rates but also help fund the new parking technology upgrades. Also, despite the increases, UT’s permit prices are still in the bottom one-third compared to other universities across the nation.
These technology upgrades include upgraded real-time space availability data, mobile pay technology, and an updated parking and transportation website. Students can now track parking availability through their website and the VolPark app.
“We’re definitely trying to focus on improving predictability to try to help students make informed decisions about what facilities to go to, versus trying to circle and find parking … So, at a glance, they’ll be able to see what’s available,” Teal-Tate said.
To accommodate the influx of traffic during the first week back to class, campus police and Parking and Transportation staff will be offering assistance and patrolling lots to help students and faculty adjust to the many changes. Teal-Tate encourages everyone to be aware of the many news signs across campus to prevent any confusion and to take time to look at the commuter and noncommuter parking maps.
In the wake of these changes, the university recognizes that some students, especially the lowerclassmen who had no choice but to purchase remote permits, see these changes as less than ideal. However, UT assures that they are necessary to improve the overall ac-
cessibility, sustainability and functionality of an evolving, landlocked campus.
UT encourages students who live on campus to leave their cars at home and use more sustainable modes of transportation, such as electric scooters and bicycles. These are available for short-term and long-term rental from TRECS, or students can request a permit on the parking and transportation website.
UT is also working to reduce the number of single-occupancy vehicles on campus by advocating that students carpool whenever possible.
In addition, UT has created 1,000 visitor parking spaces across campus for just $2 an hour. Visitors can pay for these spaces through a QR code assigned to their space or through the Parkmobile app. Students with more flexible class schedules can also utilize these hourly spaces, but student permits are not valid in these spaces.
The money from all mobile pay spaces and permits is being 100% reinvested back into the parking program with technology enhancements, according to Brian Browning, the associate vice chancellor for operations and real estate.
UT has also added eight new T buses to its fleet, reducing wait times at bus stops across campus. Students can track T buses through the Tennessee App with real-time GPS tracking.
As of Aug. 12, UT entered a partnership with Knoxville Area Transit that will allow students and staff to ride KAT buses for free so long as they have their VolCard. With this partnership, KAT buses will be able to transport students to any of the 23 transit system routes.
Students and staff with park-and-ride permits can park at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum and take a 10-minute T bus ride to Gate 21 on campus from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays. Those on campus until after 5:30 p.m. can ride the KAT bus from Cumberland Avenue to the Knoxville Transit Center across the street from the Coliseum.
The T: Link evening service bus is also still available via pick up request from 6:00 p.m. to 7 a.m., and its services are available on UT’s Main Campus, Ag campus and the Fort Sanders neighborhood to Grand Avenue (excluding the Cumberland Avenue Strip).
Over the next couple of years, UT can expect to see even more changes to its transportation landscape as it follows its master plan to add more parking lots and garages.
“This is only the initial rollout. We will continue to build and enhance the parking program and the technology support that goes along with that, just to make it easier, more predictable and more flexible for (everyone),” Browning said.
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An employee from UT Parking directs commuters to possible alternatives around campus. Wednesday, Aug. 30, 2023 File / The Daily Beacon
Finding your ‘home away from home’ at the Student Engagement Fair
Writer
As students, getting involved on campus and creating connections with fellow peers is increasingly important for student success not only during college, but after graduation as well. With this in mind, the Center for Student Engagement hosts a Student Engagement Fair every fall to encourage students to join the extensive number of campus clubs and organizations registered with the CSE.
“We know that it’s incredibly important for students to find a connection point and sense of belonging to thrive while in college,” CSE Director Ashleigh Moyer said. “That is either through connecting with a student organization and finding a home away from home or engaging in campus events and activities through the various involvement opportunities hosted through the CSE and Student Life.”
The Engagement Fair, located on Pedestrian Walkway, is an annual event where students can connect with some of the organizations and clubs available on campus. Booths are decorated and hosted by organization leaders to showcase the vast variety of opportunities open to students. Ranging from Greek life to hiking clubs to reli-
gious organizations, there is something for every student represented at this event.
The fair annually brings about 2,000 attendees who are able to connect with approximately 250 campus organizations. It is also a great place for student groups to network with other organizations.
“The Student Engagement Fair shows the endless possibilities of involvement on campus,” CSE Coordinator Nneka Walson said.
Not only is this event a good way for students to discover a multitude of clubs and organizations that fit their interests, it is a great place to discover opportunities for leadership within these organizations as well.
Sophomore industrial engineering major Bailey Tate joined two organizations after last year’s engagement fair and has since grown in her involvement with them. She is a member of the Society of Women’s Engineers and CHAARG, a women’s fitness and health group.
This year, Tate’s involvement in SWE has allowed her to obtain a leadership position in the group’s mentorship program where she will work as “SWEeties Pairs Chair.” Because of her membership in SWE specifically, Tate says she feels more at home at UT.
“Being a part of SWE has been one of the best experiences I’ve had during college. I’ve made so many friends through all of the events and feel
like I’ve found my place on campus,” Tate said.
Brooke Jansen, a senior human resource management major, is another student involved in leadership within student organizations. An active member of CHAARG — Changing Health Attitudes + Actions to Recreate Girls — as well, Jansen is this year’s ambassador and worked as secretary last year.
Not only is she a member of this group, she has been a part of Women of Haslam for two years and has obtained a position as director of fundraising this year.
With these leadership positions in organizations that she is passionate about, Jansen says she has found a community on campus, as well as grown in her confidence. She encourages oth-
er students to get involved on campus too, as her participation has had such a positive impact on her college life.
“My biggest piece of advice is to try to attend as many meetings as possible — the more time you put into an organization and the more involved you are, the more you will get out of it overall,” Jansen said.
The Engagement Fair is one of many ways that the CSE encourages student involvement and success at UT. They host over 100 events annually and additionally offer leadership opportunities for student organization leaders on campus.
This year, the Student Engagement Fair will be held Aug. 23 at 4 p.m. on Pedestrian Walkway.
LAUREN HOLLADAY Staff
Students explore the many clubs tabling at the Student Engagement Fair on Ped Walkway. Thursday, Aug. 25, 2023 File / The Daily Beacon
Advice from a UT parent of 3: Finding the middle ground
children been impacted since they started college?
Whether you move to school from across the country or stay at home and commute, the transition into college is both an exciting and nerve-wracking time. Students go through a major life adjustment, forcing them to learn the ins and outs of a new world.
There are classes to think about, a career to pursue, a social life to nourish and a family back home — or just downstairs — to remember.
But UT parent Terra Goosie explained that parents go through a life adjustment, too. Goosie has sent all three of her children to UT in the span of six years, and she’s seen firsthand what students go through both when moving onto campus and when attending college from home.
In a Q&A, Goosie said she’s “learned something from No. 1 to No. 3.” She reflected on her experience sending kids to college and gave advice to students and parents on how to better maintain their relationships with each other.
*This interview has been edited for clarity.
Q: What was it like for you when your kids went to college?
A: Very exciting times and also just sad because you know they’re growing up and leaving. Even if they don’t leave, they’re leaving.
Q: What kind of differences were there between one child going to college and another?
A: I think one focused on going to college, not the actual college experience. One was more nervous about the size and the challenges — the size of the classes, the size of the school and the challenges of classes. One was probably just thrilled to go to college and move out. I think the third one was a mixture of both.
And we were, as parents, of course, just like you would think with three kids, you’re less prepared with the first and the most prepared with the third.
Q: What is the best thing that has come from your kids going to college?
A: The best thing has been watching them endeavor into something new and how the Lord has used that in forming them into the woman and the men that they are. Both the joys of college, of being there, and the struggles of it.
Q: What has been the hardest thing about your kids going to college?
A: Watching all three of them go to extremes before they learn to find the middle ground … because I think that’s human nature to jump to extremes before we level out.
Q: How has your relationship with your
A: I think ultimately it’s grown our relationship. However, I think that there is grieving for a parent that goes on there to begin with because you have to let them go. You have to let them figure it out.
And I mean, here’s the problem, some parents, like we tried to do, began that process before college started. But it is a different level. It’s a different level of that independence for your kids.
So I think it has built our relationship, but had we tried to hold on too tightly, it would not have. I think it would’ve distanced the relationship.
Q: What would be your advice for students?
A: Be careful of extremes. And what I mean by that includes studying. Don’t bury yourself in books. Also don’t bury yourself in activities. Looking at a kid and saying, “Don’t drink”? Yeah, right. Reminding them to keep everything in moderation.
Don’t forget your parents. Don’t forget they miss you. Send them emojis — send them something.
I remember us asking for “proof of life” — just POL. Honest to goodness, if we just get an emoji from them or a gif or something and you go, “Oh, they’re alive, and they care whether I am or not.” Just don’t forget about them.
Q: What would be your advice for parents?
A: You’ve got to give your kids rope. You cannot micromanage them even if you’re paying for their schooling. I see that a lot with parents that are paying out of pocket for the majority of their kid’s school — they feel like they still have the right to micromanage everything.
If you’re doing that, you’re creating unhealthy dependence. You’re communicating to your kids that they can’t do it. Communicate with them, but limit that based on you’re reaching out to them, I would say for a general ballpark maybe once a week, and let them come to you.
But, of course, there’s differences in that. Some kids want and need more of that, but they’ll also be reaching out themselves. Really be in tune to what your kids need, as far as that goes, instead of what you think they need.
The truth is, the thing that worked the best is praying constantly. I mean, absolutely, day in and day out for your kids — even if you wake up at 3 o’clock in the morning to do so.
And it’s not easy. I make it sound like it’s easy, but when you’re missing your kids or you know they’re having a hard time or you know they’re making some level of foolish choices, you want to jump in but can’t. Don’t get on to them about the small things or they won’t listen to you about the big things.
EMMA LOVE
Managing Editor
Kyra Shaw organizes her desk during move-in at Magnolia Hall. Wednesday Aug. 14, 2024. Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon
Abbie Dwyer goes through different pieces of wall art in her bed during Magnolia Hall’s move-in. Wednesday Aug. 14, 2024. Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon
Speaking Vol: A beginners guide to Volunteer Lingo
SARAH PORTANKA Engagement Editor
If you didn’t grow up bleeding orange, some traditions can seem a bit overwhelming. Whether you are a new student or a family member, sibling or friend of a Volunteer, here is a list of some of the most famous and unique UT traditions guaranteed to make you a Vol through and through.
1. The Vol Walk
Perhaps one of UT’s biggest and most recognizable traditions, among Vol and rival fan bases alike, is the Vol Walk — the football team’s march to Neyland Stadium. This has been a long-standing and ever-evolving tradition since 1990, varying in paths and lengths. Today, the Vol Walk is led by the Pride of the Southland Marching Band two hours and 15 minutes prior to kickoff. Beginning at the Torchbearer Statue in Circle Park, the band snakes down Peyton Manning Pass before turning onto Phillip Fulmer Way to cross the walking bridge to enter Neyland Stadium. Shortly after, the football team moves down Peyton Manning pass to Phillip Fulmer Way in the opposite direction. There’s nothing like your first game day where you look out into a vista of orange covering campus. Not only does this tradition give the band members and players a unique experience to interact with fans, but it allows multiple generations of fans to share and make spirited memories.
2. The Vol Navy
While a sea of orange is being painted across campus, there is a river of orange spreading across the Tennessee River — known as the Vol Navy. This tradition began when Vol Network radio broadcaster George Mooney traveled the Tennessee River to a Vol football game via boat. Six decades later, what was one boat is now a fleet of nearly 200 traveling to Neyland bearing Power T flags and hosting tailgates.
3. History of the Checkerboard
The orange and white checkerboard pattern is one of the most recognizable symbols of UT, including the iconic checkerboard end zones of Neyland Stadium. Dating back to 1921 with the completion of the campus’s most recognizable building, Ayres Hall, whose clock tower depicts a brick checkerboard pattern. Standing proudly at 140 feet, the checkerboard clock tower is visible from the field of Neyland Stadium. When General Bob Neyland was head football coach, he would instruct his players to “charge the checkerboards.” In
1964, when Doug Dickey became head coach, he introduced the orange and white checkerboard that remained in the end zones until artificial turf was installed in 1968. When Dickey returned to UT in 1985 as the director of athletics, he restored the checkerboards to the tradition we know and love today.
Despite what many think, ThompsonBoling Arena at Food City Center was the first to extend the checkerboards to the stands and create a new tradition. The checkerboard took the bigger stage in 2014 when a Vol fan and graphic artist posted an image on (former) Twitter of what Neyland Stadium would look like if fans were to create a checkerboard in the stands. The vision rapidly gained momentum and came to life in a game against Florida on Oct. 4, 2014. Today, fans still checker Neyland Stadium one game a year and have even created a website that allows fans to know their color by simply entering their section and seat number.
4. The Power T
Unlike many schools, UT has one logo that is recognized among athletics and academics alike — the Power T. The “T” first emerged in 1964 when head football coach Doug Dickey replaced the numbers on the sides of players’ football helmets with a “T.” The “T” was slightly modified in 1977 by former football coach and tailback Johnny Majors into the Power T we recognize today. It wasn’t until 2015 that the Power T became the primary symbol of the entire campus.
In 1965, Dickey and band director Dr. W.J. Julian collaborated to create what is now noted as one of the most iconic entrances in sports — running through the Power T. This spectacle consists of over 300 members of the Pride of the Southland Marching Band led by Smokey and followed by the football team that amplifies the excitement among the crowd.
5. Big Orange Fridays
Every Friday, especially before game day, fans are encouraged to wear orange to represent UT. Some student organizations will even give out free stuff on Ped Walkway for those who wear orange. While this is one of the simplest of the many UT traditions, there are still alumni who wear orange on Fridays in unwavering loyalty.
6. ‘Summitt Blue’
Orange and white aren’t the only colors worn by Vol fans — thanks to the movements of women’s athletic programs and the legendary legacy of former Lady Vols basketball coach, Pat Summitt, who led the Lady Vols to eight national championships in her 38 years with the program.
In 1976 the Department of Women’s Intercollegiate Athletics was established as its own unit separate from men’s programs. In August of 1976, former UT Chancellor Dr. Jack Reese along with Summitt, women’s track and field coach Terry Hull and women’s basketball alum Joy Scruggs met to sketch a new logo for UT’s women’s teams. The sketch depicted the iconic logo we now know, featuring a distinct shade of blue that came to be recognized as “Summitt Blue” in 2022 to honor the late Pat Summitt. Summitt Blue now remains an integral part of Lady Vol athletes’ uniforms to pay homage to a legacy unlike no other.
Cheer and fight with all of your might For Tennessee!”
8. Painting The Rock
At the corner of Volunteer Boulevard and Pat Head Summitt Street stands an always colorful campus symbol known as the Rock. Made of 97.5 tons of Knox dolomite stone, the Rock was first painted in 1980 and has become a tradition ever since, becoming a campus hub for club announcements, athletic spirit, political endorsements, birthdays and
7.
Despite what most people think, Rocky Top is not actually UT’s official fight song. However, it has become a monumental part of Tennessee athletics. The song — written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and recorded by the Osborne Brothers — was first performed by the Pride of the Southland Marching Band as a tribute to country music in the halftime show during a game in 1972. It is safe to say it caught on and is now played multiple times in a singular game.
In case you were wondering, the official fight song lyrics go:
“Here’s to old Tennessee Never we’ll sever We pledge our loyalty Forever and ever Backing our football team Faltering never
even proposals. Many campus activities center around this iconic site such as the annual “Slap the Rock” event hosted by SGA.
9. Torch Night
Torch Night is one of UT’s oldest traditions, marking a beginning and an end to one’s time at UT. At the beginning of their collegiate journeys, freshmen commit to embodying the Volunteer spirit by raising symbolic torches. Four years later, graduating seniors will hold symbolic torches at Torch Night: A Farewell to Thee as a pledge of loyalty and goodbye to UT. The graduating class then passes down their torches to the incoming senior class as a symbol of inspiration to continue lighting the way.
Singing Rocky Top
Fans await the arrival of Tennessee before the Vol Walk before the Orange and White game at Neyland Stadium. Saturday, April 13, 2024. File / The Daily Beacon
Surviving dorm life: 7 tips for making dorm life comfortable
SAMANTHA WHITLEY Staff Writer
Settling into your first-year dorm can feel exciting for some but intimidating for others. This anxious feeling often derives from having to adapt to an unfamiliar environment and routine. Fortunately, with a little time to adjust and some helpful suggestions, you will feel prepared in no time.
Advice for students who live in the communal dorms
Each first-year dorm is different. There are several layouts that can impact how you live. For example, some dorms include shared bathrooms, and other halls have private bathrooms.
For those who have a shared bathroom, it is important to purchase shower shoes to ensure cleanliness. It is also vital to purchase a shower cady. This makes it easier to lug all your bathroom supplies to and from the shower.
Tips to avoid the “Carrick Cough”
The “Carrick cough” is one of the popular sicknesses that people catch, especially those who live in north and south Carrick. To help protect your immune system from this, purchasing some cleaning supplies will help put some of those germs at ease.
Some of these items include hand sanitizer, dish soap, and disinfectant spray.
Another item that is beneficial for your immune system is elderberry gummies. The gummies are known to naturally fight cold and flu symptoms. You can purchase these dietary supplements on Amazon.
Laundry
hacks
It is an understatement that you are going to be busy with new schedules while immersing yourself in college. With that said, if your laundry sits too long in the washer or dryer when finished, people may dump it on the floor.
To prevent your clothes from gathering filth from the dirty floor, it is best that you set a timer for how long your clothes will be in the washer or dryer machine.
Another hack for laundry is to purchase a rolling hamper that has wheels. This comes in handy particularly when you are a great distance from the laundry room.
Some washer machines only take tide pods. Unfortunately, some of the older machines may leave a tide pod stain on your clothes. The best way to get it out is to
There is an inevitable adjustment period when moving into a dorm, but laundry hacks and a mattress topper can help ease one into communal living. Samantha Whitley / The Daily Beacon
use warm water, scrub and a little rubbing alcohol.
Recommendations for the dorm room to feel like home
For those who are feeling more anxious about their new environment, there are ways to produce your home away from home. The overhead light can be extremely bright and feel less cozy. Thus, buying a lamp with warm tones is one of the best purchases to make for this issue.
To make yourself feel more comfortable, you can decorate the empty walls with decor. Amazon has endless options for room decoration, or you can bring pictures from your own childhood bedroom.
The bed’s comfort level can be improved with a mattress topper as it provides an extra cushion on top of the hard mattress.
Another tip for your bed is to loft it high
enough to put storage bins underneath. This helps make the room feel more spacious.
Safety suggestions
Most of the older dorms use a key to get into your dorm and for it to securely lock. A tip to help you not lose your key is to buy a phone case with a pocket key holder. An additional idea is to clip it onto your clothes for safekeeping while you are out and about. Another safety tip is to establish a buddy system. It is not recommended to walk alone during the nighttime for safety reasons. If you are unable to walk with someone you can always call a friend. You can also buy a small stun gun or alarm in the event you need to walk by yourself.
Some helpful pointers for classes
It is easy to feel overwhelmed as you are unaware of all the whereabouts. A recom-
mendation is to walk to your classes before the first day of school so you can avoid being late and to help you become more familiar with the routes that you will be using for the semester.
An extremely helpful app is Apple Maps. You can put in the hall that the dorm is in, click walk, and it will give you more of a precise location and shortcuts to the building.
Lastly, an agenda is helpful for organization. If an agenda is not your style, writing in the note’s app in your phone or word doc in your computer maintains the same idea for organization.
Guidance for game day
Once you sign up for your ticket for a sports event, it is easy to forget to secure them. A tip for this is to set a reminder for the slot of when you are supposed to acquire them. This is useful since first-year students get least priority.
Ignite gives students first taste of Volunteer spirit
CADEN DYER Copy Chief
UT’s extended orientation program called Ignite is the alternative way to be welcomed into the Big Orange Family. Geared toward incoming freshmen or transfer students, Ignite seeks to show new members of UT what it truly means to be a Vol. Hard work, leadership and fun Rocky Top traditions are just the beginning.
When freshmen sign up for orientation and meet with their advisors, adding Ignite into the mix is a helpful option.
Ignite offers four different programs: Summit, 865, Outdoors and Evolve.
Ignite Summit is held off-campus and it spans three days. Its focus is leadership development and learning UT traditions.
Ignite 865 is held on-campus and it also lasts for three days. It drives students to see Knoxville as their true home, with community service opportunities in the city but a welcoming place back on UT’s campus in the evenings. Those who participate in Ignite 865 can move into their housing assignments early.
Ignite Outdoors is a four day outdoor adventure. Trained staff take students on wilderness trips with activities like rock climbing, hiking and whitewater paddling.
And finally, Ignite Evolve is typically geared toward transfer students with focus on the spirit of UT, Knoxville community and leadership skills. It lasts for two days and takes place on campus.
Andrew Perry, a sophomore studying mechanical engineering, participated in Ignite Evolve in 2023, where he volunteered at a Knoxville children’s museum. Alongside fellow students, he spent time working for the museum staff in any way that was beneficial to them.
“This specific museum … is amazing for teaching kids while giving them a space where they can enjoy themselves,” Perry said. “Being able to volunteer there and do as much work for the staff as possible was an amazing opportunity.”
Ignite puts the hard work behind the bold talk, but it also connects new students to current students
and staff, people who truly understand the Volunteer spirit and what it means to be a part of the school.
“ … It really helped me get accustomed to the school, the people and the Vol mentality as I began my very first semester,” Perry said. “I made some amazing friends during that time, and those relationships are still important to me today.”
Ignite is under the Division of Student Life and it falls within the Clay and Debbie Jones Center for Leadership and Service. What used to be just a “campus hub” for student leadership was given an official title and name in 2019 when Clay Jones and his wife Debbie gave a landmark gift of $5 million to UT.
“In the future, UT can become a primary source for leadership talent who are educated and prepared to take on some of the world’s toughest challenges. That’s what Volunteers do,” Jones said in a news release in 2019.
Jones graduated from UT in 1971 and was named a Torchbearer. He went on to serve in both the Air Force and the White House.
The University of Tennessee truly sets store by volunteer work. In 2022, Chancellor Donde Plowman put into action a policy allowing employees up to eight paid hours of volunteer work. Volunteers are taught that leadership is selfless and sometimes hard.
“When I signed up, I looked at Ignite as just a way to make friends and learn more about campus before I officially started the semester,” Perry said. “However, Ignite ended up being a much deeper experience.”
Some students, however, came away with different thoughts.
“The reality of the program differed from my impression,” Leah Pruter, a student who attended Ignite 865 in 2023, said. “I wished that there was more time set aside for service activities … since Ignite is advertised as an extended orientation centered around service learning.”
Pruter emphasized that she made lasting friendships during Ignite and the program helped push her outside of her comfort zone. But she would hesitate to recommend Ignite to freshmen seeking a major community service program.
The Ignite program allows students to arrive to campus early and connect with their peers before the start of the semester. File / The Daily Beacon
UT Creamery expands flavors, looks to celebrate 1-year anniversary
ERICKSEN GOMEZ-VILLEDA Photo Editor
With the one-year anniversary of the creamery planned for late Sept., Myra Loveday, the director for the Rocky Top Institute, and an assistant professor of practice share what’s been happening at the creamery and a glimpse of what’s to come.
The creamery is a joint effort between the department of Food Science in the Herbert College of Agriculture and the department of Retail Hospitality and Tourism in the College of Education Health and Human Science.
The third tier is Rocky Top Institute, a two - year fellowship where students created the business plan andf marketing. In addition they also named flavor profiles and looked at the retail business. Food science students create the ice cream and learn about commercialization, and students from all majors are hired to scoop and sell the ice cream.
The two colleges use this three-prong approach to bring their product to the market through student experiential learning, meaning everything is 100% student run, setting it apart from other university creameries across the country.
“The creamery has been very successful,” Loveday said. “They have new opportunities that weren’t in the original business model, trying to keep up with the demand of what consumers want, how they want it and where they want it.”
All the revenue goes back into the production and retail sides of the business because it is still a startup. Everything goes back to pay for supplies, labor, marketing, research and development, and testing.
Loveday shared that the creamery has created a bulk order request form to help provide ice cream to on-campus luncheons and events. The creamery is working with the Vol Dining’s new addition, Big Orange Grill, to supply them with UT Creamery ice cream to make milkshakes there. The creamery will also start selling milkshakes, but the shakes at the creamery will be custom, artisan milkshakes. A non-dairy option is also currently in development.
While they look at opportunities for expansion, one option undergoing a feasibility study is a food truck to help with a more mobile location both on and off campus.
The creamery is open on Saturdays from 12 p.m. - 7 p.m., so you can get ice cream on game days. Students can get free tasting of all the flavors. The creamery also has their signature free orange and white checkerboard sprinkles to top off your ice cream. When the creamery opened there were five flavors: VOLnilla Bean, Torchbearer Chocolate, Go Big Orange, Smokey’s Strawberry Kisses and Mint Champion Chip. There was
Ellie Ackermann (center) serves ice cream at the UT creamery as Kate Cattani (right) looks on. Friday Aug. 16, 2024. Ericksen Gomez-Villeda / The Daily Beacon
a seasonal pumpkin flavor last fall that they will bring back again this year, and they have added five more flavors: 1794 Birthday Cake, Midnight at Hodges Coffee, Good Ole Cookies and Cream, The Rock Rocky Road and the newest flavor: Dough Vols Dough – a cookie dough ice cream.
Loveday mentioned that the creamery has also partnered with UT Admissions so that every prospective student who is on an official tour gets a voucher for a free scoop in their swag bag.
Senior Grace Powell, an agriculture communications major has been with the creamery since day one.
“It’s been an honor, to be honest,”Powell said. “It’s been very cool to be a part of something where I’m able to create something from a raw product to a finished product and to hear people say they enjoyed it.”
Powell revealed some of the processes it takes to create a new flavor, using peppermint as the example.
“For peppermint we went through at least 25 different samples,” Powell said. “Different types of peppermint, sizes of the candy peppermint and different types of chocolate used. Once they think they have something that is marketable it goes to the sensory lab in the food science building and they run a sensory panel on it.”
For a sensory panel they get 100 people
consisting of community members, students, and faculty and staff to run a taste test. Sometimes they run a triangle test putting their creation up against two similar flavors already in the market.
Another test they run will take two or three different samples they have made and see which one consumers like best. They take whatever one got the best results, make several large batches, and bring it over to the creamery.
“It can take anywhere fromone to six months to create a new flavor,” Powell said. “We’ve been working on our non-dairy for a while.”
Junior Kate Cattani, a retail and merchandising management major, is new to the program. She is excited to get hands-on experience in product development.
“I love the creative freedom it gives me,” Cattani said. “The Rocky Top Institute gives students hands-on experience. It’s almost like having an internship before moving on to the real world. I’m really interested in the creative aspect of it and learning here and being part of the retail and merchandising at the creamery is a huge step in my future.”
Cattani shared her goal is to one day work for Disney doing product development. One of the classes she will take focuses on product development. Afterwards in the Rocky Top Institute of Retail, students’ will work with
manufacturers and pitch ideas to graphic designers.
Cattani and other students have the chance to work with two different brands, the UT Creamery and the Rocky Top brand. According to Loveday, some of the bestsellers have been T-shirts in unusual colors. Pastels have been very popular. Putting the UT orange on a mint green or pink productblankets, hats, T-shirts — it’s something unique and not already in the marketplace. There’s a big emphasis on service and training. Powell shared that students are allowed to pitch ideas knowing that they might not work. Students need to take ownership of being able to have an idea and see it through and be OK with the fact that it didn’t work out.
“This is experiential learning. If it doesn’t work, we look at the results and see what needs to change,” Powell said. “It gives students a sense of accomplishment when they can look back and say, ‘Wow, we failed 18 times, but we got it on the 19th try.’”
Loveday said the students who work here at the creamery feel that they are a part of something bigger than themselves, something bigger than the university. They represent the state of Tennessee.
Knox Asian Fest innovates tradition as festival reaches new heights
EMMA CASKILL Arts & Culture Editor
The eleventh annual Knoxville Asian Festival, hosted by the Asian Culture Center of Tennessee, will be held in the World’s Fair Park from Sept. 7 through Sept. 9.
Over a dozen countries will be represented through food, craft and performance with the headlining entertainment performed by Ashura, a group of ninjas from Japan. The park will be filled with 250 vendors making this festival the largest event hosted by ACCT.
Along with the food and entertainment vendors, there will be around a couple-dozen tents from the companies that sponsor the festival for people to network with locals who care about the cause.
Kumi Alderman, director of ACCT, became very educated about her culture through her job as a tour guide. Through her traveling, she decided she wanted to create a different style of education, the Knoxville Asian Fest.
“I really believe food makes people change,” Alderman said.
The first festival started with 10 tents and has now expanded to what it is today. The previous festival totaled 75,000 attendees. Alderman explained what they are preparing for this year.
“We are not looking to go bigger and bigger,” said Alderman. “The number might go down but we are OK with it. Our goal is to provide a more quality experience,” Alderman said.
David Matthews, a professor at the UTK College of Architecture and Design, along with his students fabricated a green tea house over 14 weeks last fall semester where a ceremony will be held. A green tea ceremony is also known as “Urasenke.” Originating from China, it was originally used as a medicine or to keep the monks awake. The purpose of the ceremony is to feel the power of nature.
A traditional green tea ceremony can last up to four hours. For the festival, the ceremony will be condensed to 15 minutes.
“This tea ceremony is a medication and it makes you content,” said Alderman.
This year, there is a $3 entree fee for adults over 12. This is the first time a fee will be mandatory for an entree. The ACCT has decided to charge adults a small fee in hopes of expanding their organization and finding a permanent home to educate East Tennessee resi-
dents about their culture.
Aurora Silavong, director assistant of the ACCT, talks about what an expansion could do for their organization.
“For the past 11 years, we’ve run basically on hopes, dreams and love,” Silavong said. “Our key to sustainable growth right now is to do as much fundraising as we can through these ticket sales and try to expand past just having the Asian festival as our main source of programming.”
While the festival is the biggest event hosted by ACCT, the organization holds
events all year round through the Japanese Outreach Program as well as other events.
“One of our biggest outreach events this past summer was Kid A’ Riffic Fun in the Park which was a series of events held at a different park every week throughout the summer,” Silavong said. “I was just surprised at how eager to learn toddlers are.”
With the organization being almost fully volunteer-based, the support they are given is truly inspiring.
On Sept. 7, a VIP event will be held
from 6-9 p.m. with a ticket cost of $25. The VIP event will allow you to watch the performances by Ashura as well as a Japanese Drum Show coming from Disney World and a traditional Indian dance. VIP tickets will grant you all-day access to the festival on Sept. 8 where these performances will be showcased and the opportunity to educate and try new things will be available to you.
The Knox Asian Festival will feature a condensed version of “Urasenke,” a traditional Chinese tea ceremony. Monday Aug. 19 2024. Courtesy of Knox Asian Festival
Last lap: A senior year bucket list
BELLA HUGHES Editor-in-Chief
The last year of undergrad is a balance between childhood and adulthood and wanting time to slow down and accelerate.
As the class of Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 finalize credits and approach graduation, there are a few key UT activities to cross off the bucket list before becoming alumni.
Here’s a list of customizable and interactive experiences to complete this year.
1. Roast marshmallows on the torch
The Torch is an iconic campus landmark that symbolizes a beacon of hope and Volunteers “bearing the torch.” Find a new purpose for the statue and use the eternal flame and make a sweet treat to kick off the semester.
2. Attend a trivia night in Old City New2Knox publishes a weekly list of Knoxville activities happening at local restaurants and venues. This week New2Knox is bringing a series of events to Old City, just in time for back to school. Farmacy is hosting a Legally Blonde Pop-Up bar on Thursday and later this week there is a cornhole tournament fundraiser at Orange Hat Brewing.
3 .Attend a sporting event for every UT team
Yes, football is great, but UT athletics has so much more to offer. Attend a soccer game, volleyball game, or tennis match in the spring and support Vol diving. UT is coined an “everything school,” but do students attend everything?
Take advantage of the free games and student perks and cheer on the Vols this season.
4. Enjoy the Smoky Mountains
The Tennessee mountains border campus and make for a lively walk to class. There is so
much more to explore in the Smoky Mountains. Take a day trip to the mountains to hike one of the many trails. While you’re there you can observe the wildlife, go horseback riding, camp, fish or do a simple picnic.
For an easier excursion, try The Bluffs, Sharp’s Rail Trailhead or Ijams. As the weather cools and the seasons change, the hikes will get more picturesque making this a great fall semester activity.
5. Visit your freshmen year dorm room
Go back to where it all began. Reconnect with your first-year roommate and make a night of going back to your UT roots. Write a card to the current residents of the room and offer advice for their college years. No one knows their experience like you do, after all, you lived there too. Being able to reflect on your experience from your first year to now could serve as a great motivator to finish the year off strong.
6. Have dinner at the dining hall one last time
In the moment, dining hall food was the last thing you wanted to eat. After several years of maxing out your meal plan and avoiding the long lines at the Rocky Top Dining hot bar, one more might serve you well. The unlimited soft serve, Power T waffles and blue Powerade are dining hall staples. Take advantage of the meals while you can.
7. Attend festivals in World’s Fair Park Concerts, food trucks and vintage markets are just a few of the events that frequent World’s Fair Park. These outdoor activities are an interactive way to get involved in the Knoxville community. Big Kahuna Wings Festival, Knox Asian Fest and the annual Hola Festival will all take place in September.
marshmallows
CAREER PATHS NON-TRADITIONAL
Counseling/ Therapy
School Social Work
Policy Advocacy
Crisis Intervention
Nonprofit Leadership
Human Resources
The Medical Field
The Legal Profession
Veterinary Social Work
Sports Social Work
New-look Tennessee soccer roster makes debut in loss to Indiana
JACK CHURCH Senior Staff Writer
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Tennessee soccer’s newcomers started their careers with a loss Thursday, falling 1-0 to Indiana.
With just 13 players returning from last season’s NCAA Tournament team, Tennessee is still trying to come together as a team.
“I think they had moments where we were really good and organized and together and other moments where the game got stretched,” Tennessee head coach Joe Kirt said. “We’ve got some young players out there getting their first minutes in a real game and trying to stay up to the speed of it.”
Tennessee’s lack of continuity was most evident in its limited attacking opportunities. Although the Lady Vols started well offensively, they failed to trouble Indiana’s goalkeeper, only putting four shots on target.
The Lady Vols added two transfers from Michigan during the offseason, both of whom started. Sarah Bridenstine played 66 minutes in the midfield, while Sammi Woods played 70 minutes in a forward role.
rest of the team been able to find her the ball more.
“She puts herself in good places to receive it,” Kirt said. “It’s on us to be technically good enough to find her under pressure, and we were inconsistent technically in our execution today.”
As is the case with the entire squad, Woods is still becoming acclimated to her new team. She played with Bridenstine in Ann Arbor but hasn’t played any competitive games with the rest of the Lady Vols.
Three freshmen played for Tennessee, including Reese Mattern, who started. She recorded one shot in her 66 minutes of action while also committing a foul. Kameran Bluette and Jasmine Boggs made substitute appearances.
As the season progresses, Tennessee’s newcomers will continue to gel with each other and become more acclimated to college soccer. That process will also help Tennessee avoid giving up possession easily, which was a major issue in Thursday’s loss.
One positive from Tennessee was the return of Jaida Thomas. She played for the first time in a competitive game since her season-ending injury last year.
Thomas has recovered well over the course of the offseason, but game time is important to make sure her recovery continues. She played 41 minutes against the Hoosiers and fully participated in Tennessee’s system.
“She’s still getting herself back to where she’s 100%, but it’s great to see her out there,” Kirt said. “She’s got the ability to finish and is just getting back up to game speed.”
Thomas never was given good goal-scoring chances on Thursday, which is where she thrives. When teammates are unable to provide her with opportunities, she often struggles.
The Lady Vols return to Regal Soccer Stadium on Sunday for their home opener against Chattanooga. In that contest, Tennessee needs to improve in possession to avoid a second loss.
Woods put one shot on goal during the match but was present throughout as an attacking threat. Her stats would have improved had the
“We got a game under our belt,” Kirt said. “We did some good things, competed well in moments, but we have got to be better on the ball. We have got to take care of the ball, and we did that for a half tonight.”
“We’ve got to continue to be us and continue to be able to execute,” Kirt said. “I think we missed chances to execute tonight. We’ve got to continue to be ourselves in our identity and take care of the ball.”
Construction on new Knoxville stadium continues, on pace for April 2025
CALEB JARREAU Sports Editor
The new stadium in Knoxville’s Old City is coming together quickly, maintaining pace to host the Smokies’ 2025 home-opener April 15, 2025.
The Double-AA affiliate of the Chicago Cubs will be known as the Knoxville Smokies — something the club was called as recently as 1999 — with a brand new stadium.
The Daily Beacon took a tour of the new stadium Aug. 16, led by Denark Construction senior project manager and construction manager of the project Mohamed Abbas. Here are some notes from the behind-the-scenes look at the project that is changing the landscape of downtown Knoxville.
What will be the capacity of the stadium?
The stadium will be able to hold around 6,700 people for a baseball game, Abbas said. For concerts or other events, that capacity can rise to as large as 15,000.
The stadium can host a wide variety of events from Smokies games to One Knoxville soccer matches all the way to concerts or festivals. The current Smokies stadium plays host to outside events almost any weekend the team is away.
What will happen to East Jackson Avenue?
East Jackson Avenue, which runs along the front of the stadium, will re-open with wider
sidewalks to make it more pedestrian accessible. Along the road will be the box office along with the team merchandise store. There are other suites as well which could be used to house entertainment aspects of the district.
How can the stadium host baseball and soccer?
The playing surface will feature a retractable pitcher’s mound, which is able to be lowered to accommodate One Knox. Abbas said the soccer field will run down the the right field line of the baseball stadium, offering fans with seats on the first base side of the stadium a great view of the matches.
Work on the playing surface is scheduled to begin on Aug. 19 and is expected to be completed by mid-October.
How has the stadium been constructed so quickly?
The question was asked on the tour of the construction site, and part of the answer has to do with the working hours. The site is open from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, with hours sometimes varying earlier or later. On the weekend, it is usually 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. for construction work. During the tour, the project site was already bustling with machine movement and workers around the park.
The official groundbreaking for the project was in June 2023, but work began long before that. Beneath the stadium, Abbas said there are 4.5 miles of infrastructure that had to be completed before the stadium could begin rising.
The interior of the stadium is lined with QR
codes, which show a digital picture of the HVAC systems and piping for the stadium. Before construction began, the digital model was made to plan out the project. Abbas said around 7,000 clashes within the system had to be corrected before it was approved.
What will the club and suite levels look like?
The club level, which has its own entrance, will be able to hold close to 300 people when it is complete.
The part of the club overlooking the field brings you directly over home plate — differing from the traditional rounded baseball stadium structures. This area can also be used outside of game days to host events.
The stadium will feature 13 suites which will include an outdoor seating area separated from the interior with a glass sliding door. The press box is offset to the first base side of the field and will feature an analytics room, something the current stadium doesn’t have.
When will the scoreboard go up?
The scoreboard at the new stadium will be in the shape of Tennessee. The scoreboard began being put up Aug. 19, and the steel was already in place Aug. 16.
The scoreboard will be one of the most recognizable parts of the new park.
What are the buildings outside of the stadium?
The construction of the stadium also includes surrounding entertainment and residential complexes.
Outside of right field is the Beauford Delaney
Building, which will be nine stories tall when it is complete.
Beyond left field is the larger Yardley Flats building. It will have two buildings conjoined by a pedestrian sky bridge, housing about 237 rental units, Abbas said. There will also be a pool in left field where fans can float and enjoy baseball games.
A construction worker at the Knoxville multi-use stadium project in downtown Knoxville. Friday, Aug. 16, 2024. Caleb Jarreau / The Daily Beacon
Jaida Thomas (2) attempts to intercept a pass during the exhibition game against Jacksonville State at Regal Soccer Stadium. Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023. File / The Daily Beacon
OPINION: The truth behind the freshman year group experience
ANSLEY GRAVES Opinions Editor
“We’re going to be lifelong friends forever!” is what you might have heard from someone you don’t even speak to anymore. Let’s talk about the unhinged truths, triumphs and potential traumas of your freshman year friend group.
Finding friends in your freshman year of
somehow was formed.
Arguably, these are sometimes the best kinds of friend groups — and some of the longest lasting. Sometimes being shoved into a new situation with people you are forced to interact with is the answer to a lifelong friendship call.
Another possible scenario is that over time you will meet so many different people who you realize you have much more in common with, resulting in a drift from this newfound group. This is a completely normal part of the college experience, just like trying to see if that new shoe will fit. Unfortunately, growing apart with peo-
The freshmen year friend group is a cannon event most students endure. Finding the right friend group takes time, but when you first arrive on campus, sometimes convenience leads to friendship. Ansley Graves / The Daily Beacon
college is like trying to find a new pair of shoes. It is scary to try them out, it can be awkward to see if they fit just right and uncertain about how long they will last, or even if they will last.
Finding a new pair of shoes is a dilemma that many freshmen experience, and will continue to experience for generations to come. What’s the reasoning?
There’s many answers to why your freshman year friend group did or did not work out.
One of the leading and most obvious reasons is random convenience. The friendship or pairing was random, but convenient. You met this person at orientation, or while moving into your dorm, and in desperation to meet people in an uncertain and new setting, you needed a friend.
You might already know a few people, and they might know some people, so why not join forces? You are now looking at a random, but convenient friend group that
should not worry about the efforts to stay in touch. This is a triumph.
The adverse thing with having familiar high school faces surrounding your freshman year of college is that you realize they might have been different in high school than they present themselves now in college.
You might meet new people who you really vibe with, and realize that your high school friends or friend group is holding you back or bringing you down. Think about high school being a bubble, and when you get to college, that bubble is expanded to so many possibilities and opportunities that were never possible before. You are going to meet so many new people, try so many new things, and find yourself. Finding yourself might mean evolving from the same people you have known since elementary school. While this friend group might have been helpful to your life and development before, it sometimes is ok to kiss a good thing goodbye.
The last, and one of the more traumatizing yet comical reasons is that your freshman year friend group was not who you thought they were at all. Seeing if that shoe will fit and last you a long time is essential
to choosing who your friends are going to be.
You might have acquired a friend group, and think, “Alright, this is it.” It might seem safe to assume that this is a secure selection of people you are going to associate yourself with, and maybe even go through life’s curveballs with. When experiencing the good, bad and ugly, seeing who sticks around is essential to seeing a person’s character.
You might realize that your freshman year friends are actually really bad people, and not the people you originally became friends with. Or you could actually end up really liking them more than you did before, or more than you thought you would. Or they could be downright insane, and you might question how you even were associated with them in the first place. Truly, the possibilities are endless and sometimes inevitable under the “freshman year college experience” umbrella. Something that is really important to remember is to take everything with a grain of salt. Whether your freshman year friend group was awesome or terrible, it somehow built and instilled character development within yourself in one way or another.
ple is inevitable, but it can help a person grow as an individual. While it might seem like it, this is not necessarily a bad thing. It is not a crime to grow and change, or find new people that contribute to your growth and change.
With this being said, the awkward interactions you will have with these people later in your college experience are in your hands. Should you choose to wave to that personor pretend you don’t see them while walking to class is up to you.
Another reason might be that you knew them in high school, so why would you not stay in touch in college? Again, it is very helpful to have familiar faces. It can relieve so much anxiety when going to college, especially if you choose to go out of state to a new city.
There are so many successful friendships and friend groups that last from high school to college, so don’t be discouraged at the idea of trying to make it work after graduating. If you are secure with people you were friends with in high school, you
7 former Vols, Lady Vols earn medals at 2024 Paris Olympics
TREVOR MCGEE
Assistant Sports Editor
Behind a school record of 32 competing current and former athletes, the University of Tennessee was well-represented in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Across a multitude of sporting events, six former athletes brought home medals on the playing surface while one did so as part of a coaching staff.
Here’s a look at those who returned to their respective countries with an Olympic medal.
USA Assistant Coach Kara Lawson, Gold
The only non-competing member of the list, Lawson earned the gold medal as part of the coaching staff for Team USA’s run to defeat France in women’s basketball. Lawson assisted head coach Cheryl Reeve in the process.
Lawson now has Olympic gold medals as a player and a coach, after taking home the gold in the 2008 Olympic Games while playing under Anne Donovan.
During her time at Tennessee, Lawson guided the Lady Vols to three NCAA Final Fours, four SEC regular-season crowns and a league tournament title before becoming a first round pick in the WNBA in 2003. Now the head women’s basketball coach at Duke University, Lawson has found much success in her post-playing career as well.
Christopher Bailey, Gold
The lone competing Volunteer to earn gold status was Bailey serving as the first leg of Team USA’s relay squad. Punching in a 44.45-second opening frame, Bailey handed off the baton to fellow athletes Vernon Norwood, Bryce Deadmon and Rai Benjamin. The team collectively ran a 2:54.43 time, setting a new Olympic record in the 4x400 men’s relay.
Bailey began his career at Mississippi Valley State, before transferring to Tennessee for his final three collegiate seasons. He earned many accolades during his time, including four All-American designations and a 2021 Indoor First Team AllSEC selection.
He became the 11th gold medalist for Tennessee track and field and the first in his event.
Erika Connolly, Silver
In the pool, Tennessee sent 17 athletes to compete across various swimming and diving events. Sporting Team USA, Connolly grabbed a silver medal in the 4x100
women’s freestyle relay in Paris to become the first Lady Vol swimmer to ever record three Olympic medals — joining Melvin Stewart as just the second swimmer to do so.
In the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Connolly recorded a silver medal finish in the 4x100 medley relay and a bronze finish in the 4x100 free relay.
Connolly starred at Tennessee as a highly decorated athlete by the time of her departure. Across four seasons, she racked up 22 All-America certificates and 18 SEC titles alongside two SEC Female Swimmer of the Year awards.
Kelsey Robinson Cook, Silver
An outside hitter on Team USA, Robinson Cook secured the silver medal in volleyball.
She began her career at Tennessee before finishing up at Nebraska. During her time playing for the Lady Vols, she recorded two All-American nods while being named 2011 SEC Player of the Year.
Competing on Team USA since 2014, Robinson Cook has now completed the Olympic trifecta — earning each of the three placement medals for America.
Cierra Burdick, Bronze
A relatively new event to the Olympics, Burdick led Team USA to a bronze medal in
Mona McSharry, Bronze
McSharry took to the water as a member of Team Ireland. Hailing from Grange, Ireland, McSharry took home a bronze medal in the 100m breaststroke with a time of 1:05.59.
A recent graduate from Tennessee, McSharry capped off her final collegiate season with 23 total All-American honors, including the 2021 SEC Female Swimmer of the Year award. She currently holds the Tennessee record in the 100m and 200m breaststroke.
McSharry is just the second-ever Ireland swimmer to earn a medal in the Olympics and just the second Lady Vol ever to win an Olympic medal in an individual event, joining Christine Magnuson.
Uros Plavšić, Bronze
Plavšić and Team Serbia looked destined for a higher-place finish before Team USA sparked late. Led by multi-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, Team Serbia fell short of the gold medal game, settling for a third-place finish with bronze.
3x3 women’s basketball.
Burdick is the first player in Lady Vol history to take home a medal in the event since it was added in the 2020 Tokyo Games.
Following a First Team All-SEC season at Tennessee, Burdick became a WNBA second-round pick in 2015.
A 2023 graduate of Tennessee, Plavšić led the Vols to three NCAA Tournament appearances during his tenure.
Plavšić joins Ernie Grunfeld and Allan Houston as the only Vols to win an Olympic medal on the basketball court.
Tennessee forward Cierra Burdick goes for the basket during the Lady Vols’ 93-63 victory over the Auburn Tigers on Feb. 20 at Thompson-Boling Arena. Burdick has won four international gold medals while playing basketball overseas this summer. Samantha Smoak
Uros Plavsic (33) preparing for a freethrow during Tennessee’s game against Texas on Jan. 28, 2023 at Thompson-Boling Arena. Kailee Harris / Contributor
