HOMECOMING '24
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Letter from the Editor: Hosting a homecoming of my own
BELLA HUGHES Editor-in- Chief
“Rocky Top, you’ll always be home sweet home to me.”
These lyrics we sing each Saturday night in the fall take a deeper meaning as we welcome back alumni to campus and families of current students reunite with their child and new memories are up ahead.
Homecoming is defined as “the instance of coming home.” This can take many interpretations, but for the sake of nostalgia, homecoming is a time to reminisce, and for some, it’s a revival.
My family grew up in an open door policy house. Come one, come all, and when my mom yelled “Come eat,” the crowd of neighbors, friends, former teachers, mentors, aunts, uncles, and cousins and kin knew that it was time to gather.
That’s homecoming. Reconnecting with loved ones to share stories of the past and present. Answering the age-old question of “What do you want to do with your degree”
from those you haven’t seen since third grade. Best of all, a homecoming closes on a chapter of being away from a place you built a life in — whether temporary or long-term — and it’s a blessing to call a place home.
The friends that you meet and eventually feel like family, the barista at your favorite coffee shop and the beautiful building you pass on the way to work create a sense of familiarity — a sense of home.
This homecoming, my family is traveling to UT to get a taste of the Volunteer experience. Although they aren’t necessarily “returning home,” they are entering the home that I’ve built over the last four years.
I can’t wait to integrate them into my ideal weekend in Knoxville. The planner in me already has a packed itinerary including booked reservations, a rundown of on-campus homecoming events and a list of friends who are now chosen family that I can’t wait for my family to meet again.
To know that my family trusted me enough to explore life in Knoxville and build roots beyond their tree is a special thing. This weekend I will take the open door policy and make it my own as I host my own homecoming — one where my roots from home and my roots from
Knoxville can grow together.
Vols
Letter from the Managing Editor: Home became sweet home
EMMA LOVE Managing Editor
I grew up in Knoxville wanting nothing more than to go to college out of state. The University of Tennessee was not a school that called to me. I was not a fan of the color orange, the buildings on campus all looked the same and Knoxville had nothing more to offer that I hadn’t already experienced.
Going to an out-of-state school would mean I got to meet entirely new people and try entirely new things, and I believed that I wouldn’t get that experience at UT.
Even so, I decided to enroll at UT because I greatly prioritized the opportunity to study abroad. Going to an in-state school made studying abroad a much more likely possibility for me.
Almost four years later, I couldn’t be more glad that I chose the school I thought was “boring.” Knoxville had so much more to offer than I even knew existed throughout my childhood. I have tried more restaurants and activities than I can remember, and despite my formerly held belief that being at UT would just mean repeatedly running into people I went to high school with, I have met so many new people who have had a major positive impact on my college experience.
Managing Editor Emma Love cheers on the Vols against Texas A&M with her roommate Caitlin Heidel. Saturday, Oct. 14, 2023. Emma Love / The Daily Beacon
I didn’t need to move hours away to have four years of college that proved special compared to the other phases of my life. All I had to do was embrace what was available to me and make it my own.
I am so thankful for the time I’ve had at UT, and I’m surprised to say I’m a little sad that my time here will be over in December. Still, I don’t love the color orange, but the specific shade PMS 151 has become an orange I’m fond of seeing around. The build-
ings? I actually love how their bricks all match to form a cohesive campus design. And don’t get me started on how much I love the accessibility of Chick-fil-A at a moment’s notice at three separate locations on campus.
Knoxville has always been home to me, and while I’m not sure that I’ve ever actually called UT “Rocky Top” out loud, I am proud to say that Rocky Top has become home sweet home to me, too.
fans cheer during a “Dark Mode” game against Kentucky at Neyland Stadium. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Cambree Gliessner / The Daily Beacon
Through the eyes of archives: A look at archival homecoming events
The nostalgia of homecoming is felt all over campus as alumnus from varying classes find themselves back at UT years later. The tradition of homecoming began in 1916 and continues to this day — new traditions have been made along the way and some have been left behind.
Homecoming traditions have been documented since the beginning through all the The Beacon’s namesakes. Originally known as Orange and White — the present day Daily Beacon — the public is able to see the shifts and changes made within homecoming traditions through archives provided by UT’s library.
Alesha Shumar, university archivist and associate professor at UT, talked about the storing of the archives.
Some of the archives are donated but the majority of the archives are picked up from the newspaper stands over the years. The archives date back to 1901 when the paper first began and continue to grow to this day.
In 1916, the goal of the first homecoming was to create an alliance between alumni and the university that would “concentratetheir loyalty and their support of the Alma Mater.” The first homecoming was certainly not the biggest and the traditions we know now were not made until years later.
“Being in Greek life at UT, homecoming was always a big deal. Whether it was welcoming back sorority alums, helping build floats and painting banners, homecoming was always a special time as a student.”
Denise Demestre Woods graduated from UT in 1995 and talked about her experience celebrating homecoming as a student.
“Being in Greek life at UT, homecoming was always a big deal,” Woods said. “Whether it was welcoming back sorority alums, helping build floats and painting banners homecoming was always a special time as a student.”
The first real celebration for the homecoming didn’t begin until 1925 with letters sent out to 7,000 alumni and a total of 2,500 alumni made their way back to campus. The Homecoming in 1925 hosted its first parade featuring automobiles with orange and white streamers — donated by students and locals — carrying alumni wearing school colors around Knoxville, TN. Hundreds of alumni were seen enjoying not only the parade but also events including the Ag Barnwarmin’ — the Saturday Barbeque and of course a football game in which they played and won against Virginia.
From 1925 on, homecoming became
more and more popular than ever. In 1928, it was estimated that 2,700 alumni returned to “The Hill” for this annual celebration. Homecoming of 1928 marks the birth of the new Alma Mater composed by Chattanooga native, John L. Meek replacing the old one, “Here’s to the Old U. of T.”
The famous Ag Barnwarmin’ was an annual event that started in 1920 and before 1950 when homecoming queens became a tradition, a Barnwarmin’ queen would be announced at the dance. The dance allowed students and alumni to come together and enjoy music, dancing and other entertainment services that varied by year.
The homecoming traditions have always been something that alumni have looked forward to when coming back to campus but what greets them most is the growth of the school. Every year through UT’s history, the student body gets bigger calling for a bigger campus.
Kendall Pace graduated from UT in 2022 and talks about what she notices when coming back to campus.
“The biggest change I have noticed is the construction and changes being made to campus.” Pace said. “While it can be sad to see some of my favorite places to go, I am so excited for the future students to have even more choices and better facilities than I had.”
Woods also talked about the development of campus and the surrounding area when she visits her son that now attends UT.
“I enjoy seeing the growth of campus and new projects taking place,” Woods said. “It saddens me to see how the Cumberland strip has changed with the removal of so many iconic establishments that provided so many fun times and memories during my student life.”
Throughout years of coverage on the annual homecoming celebration here at UT, the one tradition that has stuck and will continue to be a part of the alumni experience is additions to campus in order to help keep the people connected to campus. For the new additions and developments, we have our alumni to thank.
EMMA CASKILL Arts and Cultures editor
Game day fashion trends at UT have changed from decade to decade based on trending styles as well as stadium regulations, including the clear bag policy. Courtesy of UT Archives
Denise Woods UT alum
‘It’s hard to really put that into words’: What homecoming means to third-generation Vol
Homecoming is often synonymous with alumni. It’s a chance for them to reconnect with their college days and see old friends, to wander streets that hold meaning for them and to relive some of their fondest memories.
For students, homecoming can seem a bit intangible. Besides the obvious love one might hold for their school, there isn’t much to celebrate. After all, you can’t “come home” to a place you are currently at.
But for Nick Johnson, a senior public administration major, UT’s homecoming is something deeply personal.
As a senior and third-generation Vol, Johnson grew up hearing about the traditions, lives and stories of his family members who went to UT. The traditions of homecoming are an annual experience for him.
“Our roots are really tied here. My grandparents grew up here,” Johnson said. “I really just remember being here on Saturdays. … It’s kind of a tradition, you know, runs in the blood.”
Rowan Sheppard is a sophomore majoring in chemical engineering. He knows Johnson as a personal friend and grew up attending church with him.
“I’ve known Nick for a very long time, and there’s only two Saturdays in the fall he doesn’t wear orange and white. Those Saturdays are bye weeks for the Vols,” Sheppard said.
Those orange roots do indeed run deep. Johnson’s grandfather attended UT in the 70s, and his mother, Pamela Beason Johnson, graduated in 1997. She was the head majorette for UT and returns every fall to march with the Pride of the Southland Band during the annual homecoming halftime show. Johnson’s grandfather was a member of the Pride, and his aunt was a member of the color guard.
Being a third-generation Vol is like a tradition at this point, according to Johnson. It just feels right to always have someone in the family attending UT.
“You grow up 20 minutes away from campus, you hear about your mom’s times here, you see the photos and the videos from my grandparents about her being the head majorette and marching with the T and all that on the field,” Johnson said. “Getting to experience the life here myself and going through the trials of trying to graduate — it’s really special, too, because you know … it’s hard to really put that into words.”
Homecoming for the Johnson family has always featured the Vol Navy. Originally named the UT Armada, it began in 1962 when former sports announcer “Voice of the Vols” George Mooney rode to Neyland Stadium on a boat. Up to 350 boats now journey to the football games every Saturday, and extra dock space was constructed in following years to accommodate the fans.
“Not everybody has access to a boat, but most people at the Vol Navy are really (welcoming) and open,” Johnson said.
Johnson, alongside his dad and brother, always watches his family members march with the Pride during homecoming.
“Getting to see Mom do her majorette things … was very special to me, just being able to see my family do that. I only picked one school — I only applied to Tennessee — so it was make it or break if I got in or not,” Johnson said.
For the Johnson family, it’s easy to tell when homecoming is approaching — just listen for the sound of objects breaking as Johnson’s mom brings out her batons again.
“She would always go up to one part of the room and practice the routine,” Johnson said. “When I go home for homecoming week, you normally hear a few things crashing and breaking and
thudding because she’s practicing.”
Like many seniors across UT, Johnson is facing the stark reality that it’s his last year to experience the traditions of UT as a student. Something he waited his whole life to do is coming to a close.
“When we get to the last home game, I’ll probably just sit there and stare at the field for a while, realizing that it’s come and passed, probably one of the best parts of my life.”
public administration
CADEN DYER
Copy Chief
Pamela Johnson, a former majorette at UT, poses with her batons in 1995.
Courtesy of Pamela Johnson
NICK JOHNSON Senior
major
The Johnson family cheers on the Vols in UT colors before a football game in 2014. Courtesy of Pamela Johnson
Neyland Night Lights: Celebrating homecoming traditions at UT
SAMANTHA WHITLEY Staff Writer
Campus will be festively decorated to reflect the homecoming theme “Neyland Night Lights” to embody the vibrant spirit of a late-night football game at Neyland Stadium.
UT’s first homecoming took place in 1916. While World War I delayed its status as an annual celebration until 1925, UT has hosted homecoming every year since, except for 1943, when students chose to donate event funds to the Red Cross.
Over the years, UT traditions have thrived by consistently reflecting the pride of the Volunteers while preserving a variety of customs.
UT homecoming game
One of the most popular traditions is the exciting football game that occurs during homecoming week. This year the Vols are set to play Mississippi State University.
The first homecoming game in 1916 was an exciting win as the Vols beat Vanderbilt.
Following the victory, former UT President Brown Ayres designated Monday as a holiday to enable the ongoing celebration.
First homecoming parade
UT’s initial homecoming parade featured the university cadet corps in ceremonial uniforms as the band led the way.
The band eventually achieved the title “Pride of the Southland” in the 1940s. About 15 years later, the parade added the addition of decorated floats.
For Homecoming 2024, since its inception, several new elements have been added to the parade including an updated route and themed floats. The parade will start on Volunteer Boulevard and proceed north and end at Circle Park and Peyton Manning Pass.
Before the march, there will be various activities to indulge in for Rocky Top Rally near the Torchbearer.
Homecoming queen
Betty Walker was UT’s first homecoming queen in 1950. This tradition lasted until 1970 when a Beacon columnist, Vince Staten won the most votes but was not named queen as his candidacy was considered invalid.
This tradition came back to life in the 1980s when Shannon Whittington was voted homecoming queen. She made UT history as she was the first African American to win this event.
Eventually, the title transformed to a Miss
Homecoming in the early 2000s which later turned into Homecoming Highnesses in 2013.
Smokey’s Howl
Smokey’s Howl is well known for echoing Smokey’s signature howl, rallying students to cheer loudly and turning it into a competitive event. This tradition dates to the early 1990s and continues to be a part of the homecoming festivities.
For 2024, Smokey’s Howl will be on Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Alumni Memorial Building Cox Auditorium.
Annual Southeastern Stomp Fest
The Annual Southeastern Stomp Fest has been a part of UT since 1999 and features stepping performances by sororities and fraternities. These lively performances are hosted by the Office of Multicultural Student Life, Black Cultural Programming Committee and the National Society of Black Engineers.
100th anniversary homecoming traditions
2016 marked the centennial celebration of homecoming traditions at UT. In honor of this milestone, UT brought back some old traditions such as the Barnwarmin’ Dance. This funky
Sororities and fraternities show off their floats during the homecoming parade. Sam Barbour / Contributor
tradition began in 1921 and was crafted by the Agricultural Club.
The specific type of dance was a mix of social dances including round dancing. Not only does this call for plenty of grooving but also includes predictive readings and unique musical performances.
The practice of the Barnwarmin’ ended in 1943 as several men were enlisted for the military and the tradition never resurfaced.
Tour of Knoxville: Where to take parents, alumni this homecoming
BELLA HUGHES Editor-in-Chief
There is a lot to do in a weekend visit to Knoxville. Market Square has much to offer, but if you venture beyond Gay Street, you’ll find the niche restaurants, autumn landscapes and rich culture that lay within the city.
Although Knoxville may look different for returning alumni, there are restaurants and experiences both new and familiar to make this homecoming weekend memorable. Here are six Knoxville gems to consider during your visit.
Breakfast at Matt Robb’s
A trip to the South isn’t complete without a homemade biscuit. Matt Robb’s is a local restaurant run by Robb himself. You come for the fresh baked biscuits and stay for the company as Robb greets his customers and serves the delicacy with a smile.
The concise menu leaves minimal room for error. Grab a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit — or elevate it by adding one of the assorted cream cheese and jellies — to start off your weekend.
A walk at Ijams
Now that the the autumn leaves are falling, a walk at Ijams sets the perfect scene for a walk with your family or college friend. Only three miles from downtown, Ijams provides a landscape like no other with the Quarry. Multiple
Ijams Nature Center hosted a fundraiser to aid those in need after hurricane Helene. Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2024. Klaryssa Delacruz / Contributor
hiking trails to choose from at the nature center are a great escape from the game day madness to come.
Create a playlist of nostalgic family tunes or your favorite songs from college to create the perfect soundtrack to your outdoor excursion.
A trip to Knoxville Musuem of Art KMA is a free art museum downtown that showcases pieces local to Knoxville and beyond. Current exhibits include blown glass and furniture galleries of historic architecture. The museum is open Friday through Sunday from 1-5 p.m. and is the perfect venue for a postgame day activity. This relaxed environment and original artwork bring the beauty of Knoxville’s culture to life.
Dinner at 71 South
Located in South Knoxville, the restaurant resides inside a repurposed building in Baker Creek. The building was originally constructed in the 1930s and has since taken new form as a trendy restaurant.
71 South serves classic southern fare with an elevated twist. Menu highlights include a burger of the month, south haven penne and a brunch menu to fuel your game day. This menu and atmosphere are an unlikely pair but surprise patrons every day.
Drinks at Bernadettes Crystal Garden Knoxville has a series of rooftop bars to choose from, but Bernadettes takes the crown for the most unique view both inside and outside the
venue.
The three-in-one-space includes the crystal gardens, Preservation Pub and Scruffy City Hall. All three vendors are housed within the same building and each bring an interesting personality to the establishment. Bernadettes is a three-story building with assigned crystals to each floor. The building is decorated with broken glass, amethysts and specially curated crystals to bring an ornamental feel to the bar experience. The menu matches its atmosphere as some of the drinks and small plates have etherealthemed names.
Watch the game at the Local Smokey If you came to be in the homecoming atmosphere and avoid the chaos of Neyland Stadium, cheer on the Vols at the Local Smokey in Old City. This dive bar will take you right back to the glory days of college.
After sharing stories of “remember when” with your college buddies, engage in some friendly competition by starting a game of darts or pool.
The Local Smokey is an off-campus hot spot for Vols fans.
As you plan your homecoming itinerary, branch out from the typical trip to Market Square hot spots and try these underrated Knoxville staples to balance out your weekend.
‘A dream come true’: What it means to be part of Tennessee spirit team
SHELBY WRIGHT News Editor
Homecoming is all about cheering — not just for the Vols in Neyland Stadium on Saturday night, but for each campus organization and community that has rallied together to support one another and help students find their homes away from home.
Between banner drops and homecoming parades, everyone is a cheerleader representing the flame of what it means to be a true Tennessee Volunteer. However, no one quite understands what it means to have a true Tennessee spirit like the members of the University of Tennessee’s spirit team itself.
Caroline Barker, a senior studying business analytics, has been dancing competitively since she was 8 years old and has been on UT’s dance team since her freshman year. Now, in her senior year, she reflects on it as one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.
When she auditioned for the team in 2021, she described a rigorous two-month long virtual process and took the risk of committing to UT before she even knew she had made the team.
Luckily, Barker made the team and has never looked back — she moved from her hometown in Kansas City to Knoxville and found a new home among her 21 teammates.
“(Growing up), Tennessee was always on my radar,” Barker said. “so making the team was like a dream come true.”
Similarly, UT cheerleader Keegan Murphy is a senior studying business management from Illinois and has been part of the cheer squad since his freshman year. However, he didn’t have the years of experience Barker did before he auditioned — in fact, he didn’t even know he liked cheering until his sophomore year of high school.
“So I kind of just jumped into it on a whim,” Murphy said. “One of the girls in high school asked me and a couple of other guys to do it, so I kind of just jumped in. … And then now, I’m here.”
Despite Murphy’s sudden transition into cheering, it took a lot of hard work and dedication to get where he is now, and all members of the spirit team are “more than just a pretty face,” according to Barker. Much more work goes into each routine than what the public sees.
Each member of the spirit team works hard to be able to perform for over 100,000 people on game days, putting in about 10-12 hours of practice each week, workouts and lifts, but not every practice prepares them solely for games. They also prepare for the yearly national championship competition, which they hope to win again this coming year.
UT’s spirit team is amongst the most pres-
tigious teams in the country — owning 13 national championship awards between the cheer, dance and mascot teams. The cheer team, in particular, recently won the UCA Division IA Game Day National Championships in January — for the third time in UT’s history.
Now, the spirit team no longer holds auditions but recruits about 10 potential new members each year from high schools across the country.
Barker explained that the new incoming freshmen are getting better each year, forcing upperclassmen like herself to step up their game and improve as well.
“I’ve learned so many life lessons being on a college dance team,” Barker said. “Every day, I must rise to the occasion and meet the expectation that is set for me. … It’s been (my) biggest challenge but also my biggest inspiration.”
Other spirit team members, like Will Parker, a senior sports management major who acts as Davy Crockett for the mascot team, also feel the pressures of having to constantly step up their game.
“I feel like I have some pretty big shoes to fill,” Parker said.
Parker filled the role of Davy Crockett after Eli Dotson graduated last spring, but he has been part of the spirit team as a mascot since his sophomore year.
“I grew up in North Carolina, not really knowing much about UT, and so it’s (been really cool to) learn more about UT and get to be somebody that shows a lot of school spirit and brings other people together,” Parker said. “It’s so fun to be able to be someone that gets the crowd excited (and acts) as a representation of what the university is.”
Before Parker was named the official face of Davy Crockett, he had filled in for Dotson a few times over the years, so his audition process for the role was not super formal.
However, Parker told the Beacon that he has taken all he has learned from his predecessors over the years and has tried to continue the relationships they built with community members.
Only a few more football games are left this football season, and as it begins to come to a close, Barker, Murphy and Parker all have said that they will miss college game days the most — especially running through the “T.”
“It’s like nothing else,” Parker said. “There’s nothing better than the whole team behind you, and you’re the one leading the charge, and everybody’s screaming and cheering — it’s the most exciting atmosphere.”
Despite the long weeks, traveling and early call times, each member expressed that there’s nothing quite like the feeling they get when they’re on the field, helping the crowd
cheer on the Vols.
“It’s getting more emotional every game to see that, like, this will be the last time I’ll be on the field,” Barker said.
Murphy said that the relationships he has built during his time on the cheer team will last him a lifetime, and he will miss interacting with all the Tennessee fans.
“With it being my senior year and final go around, I’m just really cherishing everything because soon enough I’ll be wishing I was back here doing it again,” Murphy said.
While none of these spirit team members are from Knoxville, their team has been their biggest support system and home away from home over the last four years.
Barker, in particular, is looking forward to being able to come back for future homecomings as an alum.
“I’m lucky to be able to have that experience for four years,” Barker said. “And something that I’m really looking forward to is … coming back to visit and see (game days) from another point of view.”
Each team member is soaking up every last second of the college football season, but their jobs are not over anytime soon, as the basketball and volleyball seasons are only just beginning, and intense nationals practices are well underway.
Members of the cheer squad run through the endzone after the Vols scored a touchdown against Alabama. saturday, Oct. 19, 2022. Courtesy of Tyler Lamb
Evolution of game day fashion throughout Tennessee’s quarterback eras
MADELINE MCNEELY Contributor
Over the decades, UT’s football program has transformed, and game day fashion has evolved alongside it. From Condredge Holloway in the ‘70s to Nico Iamaleava today, each quarterback era has brought changes in style and approach to game day attire.
Here is the evolution of game day fashion throughout the different UT quarterback eras.
Condredge Holloway (1972-1974)
The era of Condredge Holloway holds a significant place in the history of the Vols and the SEC, as Holloway made history as the first Black quarterback to start in the conference.
According to UT class of 1974 alum Marilyn Burney, game day fashion of the 1970s mirrored this spirit of change, embracing retro flair while staying comfortably relaxed.
Fans embraced bell bottoms with wide belts, often pairing them with orange and white paisley or tie-dye shirts. Women sported vibrant mini dresses with dramatic bell sleeves, go-go boots and halo headbands.
Burney’s typical game day outfit accounted for the weather, featuring bell bottoms and boots or clogs. Depending on a special occasion, like a bowl game,
Burney would elevate her style by wearing an “orange hot pants outfit” that included a blazer and matching shorts.
Game day fashion has since evolved, in Burney’s eyes, to maintain the trend of boots, but swapping go-go for cowboy, and dresses, but altering the length to be shorter and embracing a newer trend of jersey dresses.
“There’s a lot more cowboy boots,” Burney said. “Back then we wore boots, but they weren’t like cowboy boots. And a lot of the jersey dresses. We didn’t have jersey dresses or anything like that.”
Jeff Francis (1986-1988) and Andy Kelly (1989-1991)
The late 1980s brought highs and lows for Tennessee football, but in 1989, Andy Kelly led the team to an 11-1 record and a Cotton Bowl win.
Fashion in the ‘80s and early ‘90s saw a shift toward looser, oversized clothing as fitted styles faded. Like the ‘70s, fans dressed for comfort and weather. Margaret Little, a 1990 graduate, described her typical game day outfit as jeans and a sweatshirt — a combination equivalent to comfort.
“There wasn’t quite the fashion that there is now,” Little said. “There wasn’t as much diversity in the clothing and different brands and the bling. There was not a lot of bling then — it was pretty basic stuff.”
Aside from fashion, game day processes and procedures were also different. There was no lottery system or online way of getting tickets that students and fans know today.
“Back then there was a ticket office and you would go stand in line with your activities pass,” Little said. “And they just randomly assigned tickets. I know now you have to do a lottery. … Back then you could take 10 activity passes of your friends, and one person could go and stand in line and get 10 tickets together.”
In addition to the ticketing process, Little also remembers the time before there was a clear bag policy.
“I probably had at least 30 cute bags,” Little said. “One thing I do miss is the purses. People would carry the cutest things you ever saw.”
Heath Shuler (1992-1993), Peyton Manning (1994-1997) and Tee Martin (1998-1999)
The ‘90s were a standout era in Tennessee football, with Hall of Fame players like Heath Shuler and Peyton Manning and a national championship win under Tee Martin in 1998. While fan pride
soared, orange-filled stadiums weren’t yet the norm.
The theme of dressing comfortably and for the weather carried on throughout the ‘90s. However, according to class of 1993 alum Pam Schmidt, dressing for comfort and the weather did not always mean wearing classic UT orange.
“We just kind of wore whatever outfits we would wear any other day or any other night out or day out or whatever,” Schmidt said. “Like we were not all about wearing orange and white.”
However, there was one orange accessory that was popular when the weather was not cooperative — an orange rain poncho.
As for game day shoes, duck boots and tennis shoes were popular. UT alum Holly Wood noted the change in ‘90s tennis shoes and today’s “sneakers.”
“We wore tennis shoes and Nikes were very popular,” Wood said. “I don’t think we had as many options in tennis shoes as we have now, sneakers I think they’re called now. They’ve become popular. They’re a commodity. They weren’t a commodity in our day.”
While wearing Tennessee colors was not a requirement, students did wear Tennessee gear — especially in the late ‘90s. UT sweatshirts, T-shirts and baseball caps were popular options.
Fans would shop for Tennessee merchandise at the UT bookstore, thrift shops and a store on the Strip.
By the late ‘90s, wearing player jerseys, particularly Manning’s No. 16 and Martin’s No. 17, had gained popularity.
Joshua Dobbs (2013-2016)
After the heyday Tennessee had in the ‘90s, the 2000s saw setbacks as the program worked to recapture its former
glory. However, Joshua Dobbs helped reignite hope for Tennessee fans in the 2010s, leaving a legacy as a resilient leader. In the 2010s, game day fashion at UT became more about personal branding and self-expression. The “sea of orange” became a commonality on game days, and in 2014, after a photoshopped image of Neyland Stadium hit Twitter, the “Checker Neyland“ movement was born. Students began to wear dressier outfits from higher-end brands. For example, UT alum Peyton Mooneyhan (2016-2020, 2020-2021) would find orange pieces from Target, Free People and Madewell.
Nico Iamaleava (2023-Present)
With Nico Iamaleava currently leading Tennessee’s offense, game day fashion has embraced a fresh, dynamic style that mirrors the excitement surrounding a new era of Vols football.
Game days can now be seen as more of a fashion show, with a shift to dressier and more high-end — and sometimes impractical — outfits.
Current game fashion
Current game day fashion includes oversized jersey dresses, trendy twopiece sets in Tennessee’s signature orange and white, and custom T-shirts with creative UT slogans or playerinspired graphics. Checkerboard patterns continue to be popular, extending beyond overalls to accessories like hats, scarves and even nail art. Although game day fashion trends have changed overtime, the sense of camaraderie and love fans have for the Vols has not faltered.
From mini purses to opting for comfortable, non-orange and white outfits, fashion has evolved alongside quarterback eras. Courtesy of UT Archives
Game day fashion trends at UT have changed from decade to decade based on trending styles as well as stadium regulations, including
How fraternities ‘propose’ to sororities for partnership in homecoming
JAXSON BERG Staff Writer
It is homecoming time on Rocky Top. With this comes tons of fun activities including a bonfire, relay races, a parade and more — all to see who will reign victorious this year.
One of the most important parts of homecoming is organizations partnering with one another to collaborate throughout the week in attempts to bring the homecoming trophy home to their respective organizations.
This is a very highly anticipated part of homecoming in the spring for Greek Life. Generally, an interfraternity council fraternity proposes to one of the panhellenic sororities the spring before that year’s homecoming to solidify the partnership and they begin planning all the festivities surrounding the week.
For example, this year Alpha Omicron Pi, or AOPi, is partnered with Lambda Chi Alpha, commonly known as Lambda. Last spring, Lambda developed a proposal for AOPi that won them over, and now they will be participating in each homecoming event together.
These events include a yard sign as well as a large float for the parade, both created from pomping. Pomping is when the organizations take tissue paper to fold it into balls that are then glued on the design’s foundation creating unique artwork to be portrayed to the judges.
These are the two largest events that the organizations work on together in hopes to win the individual prizes and get extra points toward their final score in hopes that they will become the 2024 champions of homecoming.
“Being proposed to is really fun and exciting. When we were proposed to by Lambda they surprised us by coming to the house and singing a song. Being proposed to gets our chapter excited for homecoming. It’s also fun to try and guess what each fraternity will do as their proposal,” Meg Welty, a sophomore food science student, said.
The process behind asking a sorority begins within each fraternity. They decide who they would like to propose to and then decide how they are going to propose. Commonly, the fraternity creates a dance, delivers gifts or brings flowers to the sorority of their choice. Further, some fraternities will also provide details of various events or mixers that they will hold with their partner sorority throughout the week to entice them to vote for them.
“The process of asking a sorority to homecoming is one of the most exciting times of the fraternity calendar. It can turn into a creative competition when more than one fraternity is asking a sorority. Whether it involves choreographing a skit or buying flowers and candy for the sorority, it usually gets intense. We want to make homecoming as special as possible, so it takes effort on the front end in ways like proposals, to make that happen,” Sam Mefford, a sophomore business and pre-dental student, said.
More than one fraternity can ask a sorority, and if that is the case, then the sorority will vote on who they would like to partner with for that particular year. That being said, the fraternities can also
propose to more than one sorority in case one decides to choose a different fraternity for that year’s homecoming cycle.
“Homecoming is such a fun time at the University of Tennessee. The proposals are the most fun because the guys all try their hardest to get picked by us. They give us free food and will usually come sing and dance for us in hopes to win over our vote. Proposals are important for homecoming because it is a time when sororities and fraternities can come together and make homecoming week a blast,” Kristin Bradbury, a sophomore supply chain management student, said.
A fraternity can only partner with the same sorority every four years to ensure
that all the members of each are branching out and creating relationships with other fraternities and sororities during their time on campus.
These partnerships are a great way to create bonds with other organizations and make friends in other Greek organizations by spending a whole week working together to produce large scale projects and competing in the various events with one another.
Be on the lookout for all the organizations yard signs in Fraternity Park, and attend the homecoming parade to see what each of the partnerships decided to fabricate for Homecoming 2024 on Rocky Top.
Fraternities and sororities partner each year to create floats for the Homecoming Parade. Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. File / The Daily Beacon
Opinion: The reality of alumni donations
ANSLEY GRAVES Opinions Editor
There really is no greater school than the University of Tennessee, and our alumni’s impact and long standing relationship with them reflects that perfectly. Certain alumni impacts such as donations, scholarships and funding campus improvement have made so much on campus possible. Without certain donations, and while grateful, depending on the alumni funding is potentially problematic for a few reasons.
The cost of attending college is both a huge financial and emotional investment.
Ansley Graves / The Daily Beacon
The cost of attending college is both a huge financial and emotional investment. The debt most college students face post graduation is something that can stick with them for the next 30 years. While the experiences and scholarly knowledge students pay for is undoubtedly worth it, there is still much to be said about the ridiculously expensive tuition we are burdened with, that is, if you are an out-of-stater.
Picture this: You have just given your last four years to the University of Tennessee, feeling excited and a sense of relief about graduation. You are an alum now and are done paying tuition dues for your alma mater — or so you thought. Not long afterwards, you are approached via numerous emails, letters and alumni programs about giving back to the school.
Giving back to something that was once held so dear to their hearts is understandable, but is it expected? Or even frowned upon if not done?
Within the first year of graduating, alumni begin to receive requests to donate back to the school. Whether it be for new facilities or a renovation of their once classroom building, alumni haven’t fully escaped losing finances to UT just by graduating.
This is a very quick request and one that
seems a little excessive to new graduates. Post college graduation is a time to find your footing and make some real money at a job you can hold now that you are not in school, not give what you’ve worked for back. For past students who are passionate about our beautiful campus, but who do not have the means to do so, it can really put you under unnecessary pressure.
On the other hand, if certain alumni have the financial means to do so a decade from their time at UT, more power to them. After all, their success is rooted within the school, and being able to return that favor through donating is very special. It is inspiring knowing that alumni are shaping the future Vols with funding, yet this is not doable for everyone.
UT’s alumni are very special to them, and they still want to make sure that this is known in ways beyond asking for funding. There are many benefits that Vols can get after graduating, such as discounted Dollywood tickets for alumni and family, Brookdale senior living services, and even certain insurances for long-term care. There is even a designated website to find alumni perks and benefits, so it is safe to say that our past students are honored and cared for. After all, Vol is a verb.
Beloved UT alums will always be a part of this family, whether financially obligated or not. While not everyone has the means to do so, giving back to our school is what makes us able to have it. Alumni involvement is arguably one of the major backbones of our school’s funding, but at what cost?
Ansley Graves is a junior at UT this year studying journalism. She can be reached at agrave24@vols.utk.edu.
Columns and letters of The Daily Beacon are the views of the individual and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Beacon or the Beacon’s editorial staff.
Weekly Crossword by Margie E. Burke
Tennessee football turning focus to homecoming matchup with Mississippi State
CALEB JARREAU
Sports Editor
Mississippi State’s staff is one that is familiar to Tennessee football head coach Josh Heupel.
It’s been five years since Jeff Lebby was on Heupel’s staff at Central Florida. Lebby, now the first-year head coach at Mississippi State, will meet his former boss on Saturday when the Vols (7-1, 4-1 SEC) host the Bulldogs (2-7, 0-5) at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN.
“I’ve known Jeff for a long time, dating all the way back to Oklahoma when he was still a student there,” Heupel said Monday. “Great respect for him, his staff. It’s not just Jeff that I know. I know a bunch of their guys and good people, good coaches and doing a good job down there. So it’ll be unique in that I’ve sat in the staff room with those guys before.”
Heupel and Lebby began their journey together at Oklahoma when Lebby was a student assistant. Lebby served as a student assistant from 2002-06 in Norman, and Heupel returned as a graduate assistant in 2004.
The two overlapped again when Heupel took over as head coach at UCF, hiring Lebby to be his quarterback coach. The pair posted a 22-4 over their two seasons together — putting up over 43 points per game in both seasons.
Lebby left Orlando to be Lane Kiffin’s offensive coordinator at Ole Miss before taking the same position at Oklahoma as the primary play caller. He was then hired to replace Zach Arnett at Mississippi State.
He hasn’t had the best start to his first season with the Bulldogs, but Tennessee recognizes they will bring a strong offense to Neyland on Saturday. It is led by freshman quarterback Michael Van Buren Jr.
“I just think he continues to get better in what they’re doing,” Heupel said. “Young player that is continuing to get better, has a good future in front of them. And they have some dynamic playmakers out on the outside. And he’s done a good job decision-making and continuing to become more and more accurate and decisive with the football. He’s playing really well.”
On the other side of the field, Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is coming off one of his best games in his young career. The 6-foot-6 redshirt freshman threw for 292 yards on 28-of38 with a touchdown.
Iamaleava’s numbers would have
been better with some help from his receiving corps, but dropped passes hurt his final line. Still, the performance showcases how close the Vols’ offense is to finally hitting its ceiling.
“There’s some really special plays by him during the course of the game and continued to compete extremely hard, played it independent and continuing to
grow as a player,” Heupel said.“Really good performance.”
Tennessee scored its first points in the first half since Sept. 21 in the win over Kentucky. First half woes have plagued the Vols all season.
Saturday is another chance to fix those woes in a homecoming matchup against a familiar coaching staff.
“Last SEC home game for us, another pivotal game on the schedule,” Heupel said. “A Mississippi State team that’s continuing to get better throughout the course of the season really in every phase, and it’ll be a great environment. Look forward to seeing our fans. They’ve been awesome here during this run of home games.”
Nico Iamaleava (8) winds up to pass the ball while on the run against Kentucky at Neyland Stadium. Saturday, Nov. 2, 2024. Malachi Jackson / Contributor
The names behind UT’s 4 named colleges
Editor
The University of Tennessee has received more than $200 million in donations each year since 2021. These financial gifts come from tens of thousands of donors who have a stake in the university — from alumni to parents to professors and more.
Four of these donors have contributed such large amounts of financial support — alongside informational and advisory support — that UT’s board of trustees have honored them by naming colleges after them.
There are many buildings on campus named after alumni, donors and former faculty, but it is far rarer for a whole college to be named after someone. While the custom of honoring donors through naming rights may seem like a longstanding practice, UT has only had colleges with namesakes for one decade, and only four donors have been given this honor.
With homecoming around the corner, here’s a glimpse at the legacies of the donors behind UT’s named colleges.
James A. Haslam II
The Haslam College of Business gained its namesake from James A. Haslam II, a UT alum who graduated in the class of 1952. In his time at UT, Haslam played as the captain of Tennessee’s football team and was coached by General Robert Neyland — from whom Neyland Stadium received its namesake.
After his graduation from the university, Haslam went on to serve as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army for two years. He then returned to Knoxville and went on to found Pilot Flying J. From 1980 to 2007, Haslam served on UT’s board of trustees, and since 2006, the businessman has donated more than $100 million to various places, programs, construction and renovations around campus.
In response to Haslam’s giving and support, the board of trustees voted to name the business college the Haslam College of Business in 2014. It was the first college at UT to be named.
John and Ann Tickle
John D. Tickle and his wife Ann Tickle are the reason the Tickle College of Engineering is named as such. An industrial engineering major who graduated in 1965, John Tickle is now the owner of fiberglass manufacturing company Strongwell.
Both Tickles attended UT and both were first-generation students — something that has played a role in their shared passion for education. This commitment to supporting higher education resulted in the couple donating millions of dollars to the university.
In 2016, the Tickles became the second UT alumni to be honored for their donations with a college named after them when the board of trustees renamed UT’s engineering college the Tickle College of Engineering. The couple is also the namesake of the John and Ann Tickle Small Animal Clinic at the College of Veterinary Medicine.
Jim and Judith Herbert
The Herbert College of Agriculture received its name from Jim and Judith Herbert, a couple who met at UT and graduated in consecutive years in the 1960s. When Jim Herbert was attending UT, he received a room in exchange for taking care of the plants in the greenhouse — an offer given to him by a professor.
Soon after graduating, the Herberts began donating to give back to their alma mater. In 1982, Jim Herbert cofounded Neogen Corporation, a food and animal safety company focused on detecting unsafe substances in food. Judith Herbert had a passion for reading, writing, and advocating for and supporting literacy of students.
Because of the Herberts’ continued donations to their respective roots on campus, the agriculture college was named the Herbert College of Agriculture in 2018, and the Writing Center was renamed the Judith Anderson Herbert Writing Center in 2019.
Natalie L. Haslam
The most recent addition to these honorees is Natalie L. Haslam, wife of James Haslam, in the naming of the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music. Natalie Haslam graduated from UT in 1952 with a major in French and could be found in that year’s yearbook as having been involved in several activities on campus.
These included being a member of the Chi Omega sorority as well as being crowned Miss Tennessee in the university’s Volunteer Beauty Ball. Though Haslam majored in French, she was known for being interested in all things music.
In June 2024, UT’s music college was renamed the Natalie L. Haslam College of Music as a second institutional honor to the Haslams after a sizable donation made this year. It is the first UT college to be named after a woman.
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John D. Tickle speaks at
