The Tennessee Volunteers are Tennessee's college team. Not Knoxville's. Tennessee's. They should have three "home stadiums" to choose from whenever they like: Neyland in Knoxville, Nissan Stadium in Nashville, and the Liberty Bowl in Memphis (sorry, Memphis Tigers, you can share it with us when we're (usually) not using it).
Sure, most of the home games will be in Neyland--it's the greatest stadium in college football, and many of our traditions (Vol Navy, saluting the Hill) are tied to the geography surrounding the venue. But that doesn't mean it's our only home in this great state.
There are three stars on our flag, representing the geography of the Volunteer State. There are three stadiums that correspond to those divisions. Tennessee should feel perfectly at home in all of them.
Go Vols!
Actually, historically we have played home games in Memphis for many years up until the 1990's. So your post is incorrect.
UT has played around 1,200 games since the team was formed. Of those around 600 have been played in Neyland Stadium (or at the site before the stadium was built). How many "home" games have we actually played in Memphis? Not neutral site games, actual home games.
UT has played around 1,200 games since the team was formed. Of those around 600 have been played in Neyland Stadium (or at the site before the stadium was built). How many "home" games have we actually played in Memphis? Not neutral site games, actual home games.
To be honest having home games in places other than Neyland isn't something UT is ever going to do. For starters you have all the game day traditions that we use to recruit that go out the window. Next you lose a huge home field advantage by dropping 30k people in the stands by leaving Neyland. After that think of the season ticket holders, sponsors, and other parties that pay for specific seats or ad placements in the stadium that will be irked to drive 3 or maybe 6 hours to the game all of the sudden. And finally you have to consider that having the game in Nashville significantly decreased the number of students attending due to the time and monetary loss ($50 tickets instead of $10). We aren't Arkansas, we don't need to have multiple stadiums across the state. The Vols have had a home field at the base of the Hill besides the Tennessee river since 1921. It's ridiculous to suggest we throw that away.
Why take a home game off the schedule to play in Nasvillle? I understand Butch thinks it a good recruiting tool, but is it really? It's not even sold out?
The downside seems significant. Less revenues for one, but mostly a missed opportunity to get our players ready in their home stadium prior to a really important game against OU.
Let's face it. We will have a significant amount of players in the game with very little experience playing in such a high profile game in Neyland. Why wouldn't we want to take advantage of that opportunity?
I realize it isn't the end if the world and is great for our players who are from Nashville. I just think it does more harm than good due to our week 2 opponent.
Tennessee is the visitor for this game
From who? It's never been anything but Big Orange Country.
Love this postThe Tennessee Volunteers are Tennessee's college team. Not Knoxville's. Tennessee's. They should have three "home stadiums" to choose from whenever they like: Neyland in Knoxville, Nissan Stadium in Nashville, and the Liberty Bowl in Memphis (sorry, Memphis Tigers, you can share it with us when we're (usually) not using it).
Sure, most of the home games will be in Neyland--it's the greatest stadium in college football, and many of our traditions (Vol Navy, saluting the Hill) are tied to the geography surrounding the venue. But that doesn't mean it's our only home in this great state.
There are three stars on our flag, representing the geography of the Volunteer State. There are three stadiums that correspond to those divisions. Tennessee should feel perfectly at home in all of them.
Go Vols!
I would love for those days to return. Nothing compares to Neyland but it would be nice to have a UT game every year within an hours driveIt's easier for mid and west state recruits. These kids are playing high school games Friday night then traveling up to 6 hours away to make it to Knoxville for Sat games. This gives an opportunity for a local game.
UT use to play a game in Memphis every year since the medical school is there. My dad still remembers going to those games while attending UT medical.
You are wrong about that. Southern Middle Tenn has more Bama than UT fans it seems. But there are many strong fan bases here besides UT. As someone pointed out UGA has also started verturing in here as well as Ole Miss and the Barn. Urbz has tried to work the area some as well. The Midstate has been neglected so long it has allowed many other out of state teams to get strong traction in this area. Both in recruiting and fan bases.