October 10, 2014 Issue 37, Volume 127
Cookouts, bonfires and Mocs, Oh my: Check out coverage of 2014 Homecoming Week >>pg. 8
UT and Chattanooga last met in Neyland Stadium Sept. 20, 1969. The Vols defeated the Mocs 31 - 0.
•Photo courtesy of WBIR
Annual homecoming parade takes new path RJ Vogt Training Editor (@rjvogt31) A revised version of UT’s traditional homecoming parade begins at 6:30 p.m. tonight in front of Fiji Island. Large and small floats will join more than 200 “Little Vols” and the Pride of the Southland Band on a new route which heads east from Fraternity Row before turning at The Rock to move north on Pat Head Summitt Street toward Andy Holt Avenue.
Rocky Top royalty Grand Marshal Del Bryant returns “Home Sweet Home” Heidi Hill Contributor If there is one tradition at UT that usurps the Power T, checkerboard overalls and bright orange Solo cups, it is the catchy chorus of “Rocky Top.” The words are unmistakable — especially when they soar over Neyland Stadium at every game guided by the band’s brassy tempo and brought to life by 100,000 fans belting the lyrics at the top of their lungs. But before the Pride of the Southland played a single note, “Rocky Top” was nothing but a feel-good, “fluke” tune, written on the floor of Room 388 at the Gatlinburg Inn by songwriting pioneers Boudleaux and Felice Bryant. The year was 1967 and the husband and wife duo had slammed headfirst into a classic case of writer’s block. Confined to their tiny hotel room, Felice finally decided to break from the original assignment, a “Golden Years” album for the hit television comedy “Hee Haw.” See ROCKY TOP on Page 3
The old parade route continued past The Rock toward Circle Park, but Susie Orr, the director of Alumni Programs, said the new route is aimed to engage more students. By moving the route from Volunteer Boulevard to Andy Holt Avenue, those who live in the Presidential Courtyard and Fred Brown residence halls will be able to watch the parade closer to their dorms. Organizers also moved the start time from late afternoon to 6:30 p.m. “Its really just for student involvement,” Orr said. “You know, the parade… it’s been a little sad. We walk through basi-
cally an empty campus at four o’clock.” The later start time may also attract community members who work downtown, and Orr said she hopes more alumni consider making the trip to campus. As incentive, a post-parade bonfire featuring football head coach Butch Jones and players from Team #118 will begin in Fiji Island around 8 p.m. The final round of Smokey’s Howl, homecoming’s annual spirit competition, will also be held in Fiji Island after the bonfire. For the first time in parade history, fireworks will conclude the festivities. “We’re just testing the new route, we’re
testing the new time,” Orr said. “Just trying to really make it bigger and better and working on community involvement.” Orr organized the “Little Vols,” a program which offers parents a chance to put their kids in the parade. Participants in strollers decorated like floats will roll alongside the Kerbela Shriners and Smokey Jr. Some students will also walk in the parade to represent various student groups.
See PARADE on Page 3
Knox native returns to her roots in Square Room show Jenna Butz Arts & Culture Editor (@butzjenna) Young musicians dream of opening for musical giants like Steve Earle, Josh Turner, Sara Evans and Jerry Douglas or playing at Rhythm N’ Blooms Fest fresh out of college. Knoxville native Logan Brill, however, has already brought those dreams to life. The Nashville-based singer-songwriter draws influence from Americana, old school rock, traditional blues and modern country music to create a sound reminiscent of Bonnie Raitt, Carrie Underwood and her constantly changing Spotify playlist. “It’s kind of ever-changing for me,” Brill said excitedly. “I love finding new artists and checking out their stuff.” Brill was originally signed to Carnival Music as a songwriter, but she always knew she planned on moving on to be an artist. “I always loved songwriting, but I think I always knew that I wanted to be more of an artist than a songwriter,” Brill mused. “As much as I love songwriting, I just love performing.” See BRILL on Page 12
Logan Brill performs during the Rhythm N’ Blooms Festival in April. • File photo
Reported campus sexual assault case closed Hayley Brundige News Editor (@hayleybrundige)
Bradi Musil Asst. News Editor (@bradi4) After reviewing video surveillance tapes and interviewing the parties involved, the UT Police Department has determined the sexual assault case reported last Friday did not occur. Oct. 3, at approximately 2:12 a.m., a UTPD officer responded to a call from two females in the Apartment Residence Hall who were concerned for their suitemate, who they found lying in her own vomit. As they began cleaning her up, they discovered a large bruise on her face and blood on the door inside the room. Upon arriving at the scene, the UTPD officer questioned the injured woman about what happened that evening. In response, she stated, “he forced me,” then went on to say she was forced to have sexual intercourse. Recounting the night’s events, the 20-year-old woman stated her friends had gone out while she stayed at home. She went downstairs to the main entrance of Apartment Residence Hall to see whether her friends had returned, but she did not see them. When she went back inside, she said she was followed by “an unknown white male, wearing a grey T-shirt and denim shorts, with a muscular build,” according to the UTPD report. The woman told authorities the man digitally penetrated her, and fled the scene when she resisted.
See ASSAULT CASE on Page 5