Candy Stripe Warm Ups

#1
IamMikeHamilton

IamMikeHamilton

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#1
I'm trying to settle a debate. I know we've all seen the iconic photo of Bernie and Ernie from the 70s, but when did Tennessee officially start wearing the candy stripe pants?
 
#3
#3
sechamp2012 said:
It was first done in the 1960's but Barnes wanted to bring it back being a traditionalist.
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I think it was done before Barnes, wasn’t it? I bought some over 5 years ago when the team started wearing them, but they might have gone away and then come back again? Don’t think Pearl was still here, but Cuonzo or Tyndall? Ok, now I’m curious...
 
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#5
#5
wtmvol said:
I think it was done before Barnes, wasn’t it? I bought some over 5 years ago when the team started wearing them, but they might have gone away and then come back again? Don’t think Pearl was still here, but Cuonzo or Tyndall? Ok, now I’m curious...
Click to expand...

Yes, it was Pearl. Here is a pic of the 08-09 team in them...

1544990746646.jpeg
 
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#6
#6
wtmvol said:
Yes, it was Pearl. Here is a pic of the 08-09 team in them...

View attachment 183255
Click to expand...

Sorry, I know I didn’t answer the OPs question, but I don’t really know when we first started wearing them, other than I believe it was under Mears.

I’m going to stop posting now, as I feel like the annoying guy at the office Christmas party that won’t shut up...
 
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#7
#7
wtmvol said:
I think it was done before Barnes, wasn’t it? I bought some over 5 years ago when the team started wearing them, but they might have gone away and then come back again? Don’t think Pearl was still here, but Cuonzo or Tyndall? Ok, now I’m curious...
Click to expand...

Indiana did them in 1971 Knight gets credit for that but I assume he copied Mears. Mears may have got the stripes from some other small school since he started the running through the "T" from running through the "W" at Wittenburg college.
The Stripes in the Sixties where a lot wider stripes as I remember and at one time they had a few stripes on the tops but not as close together. First time I remember them was when Roger Peltz rode his Unicycle in warm ups think he was 1968 - 1970 but certain was before that date. Just etched on my mind because of him riding unicycle juggling basketballs. Do think the stripes started some time after Mears 1963 arrival.
 
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#8
#8
IamMikeHamilton said:
I'm trying to settle a debate. I know we've all seen the iconic photo of Bernie and Ernie from the 70s, but when did Tennessee officially start wearing the candy stripe pants?
Click to expand...

I can say for a fact that they existed under Ray Mears because I was a student at the time. I cannot speak to prior to Mears.

And for you younger folks, Mears was the consummate showman. As someone mentioned above, they'd dim the lights in Stokely, turn on a spotlight for the UT introductions, have somebody on a unicycle, etc.

But the best thing he did (IMO) was walk up and down the aisles at Candy's Memorial Gym in the pre-game, wearing his Orange blazer. Absolutely loved the guy.

Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Mears coin the phrase "Big Orange Country"?
 
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#10
#10
CampBlount said:
I can say for a fact that they existed under Ray Mears because I was a student at the time. I cannot speak to prior to Mears.

And for you younger folks, Mears was the consummate showman. As someone mentioned above, they'd dim the lights in Stokely, turn on a spotlight for the UT introductions, have somebody on a unicycle, etc.

But the best thing he did (IMO) was walk up and down the aisles at Candy's Memorial Gym in the pre-game, wearing his Orange blazer. Absolutely loved the guy.

Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Mears coin the phrase "Big Orange Country"?
Click to expand...
You are correct, Mears coined the phrase " Big Orange Country" He was quite the showman, from Roger Peltz riding the unicycle juggling basketballs to the band marching around Stokely before the games playing the fight song, to the entertaining warm-ups , it was all about entertainment to put fans in the seats.
 
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#12
#12
CampBlount said:
I can say for a fact that they existed under Ray Mears because I was a student at the time. I cannot speak to prior to Mears.

And for you younger folks, Mears was the consummate showman. As someone mentioned above, they'd dim the lights in Stokely, turn on a spotlight for the UT introductions, have somebody on a unicycle, etc.

But the best thing he did (IMO) was walk up and down the aisles at Candy's Memorial Gym in the pre-game, wearing his Orange blazer. Absolutely loved the guy.

Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Mears coin the phrase "Big Orange Country"?
Click to expand...
Coach Mears also sat in a directors chair! I really liked him and Stu!
 
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#14
#14
wtmvol said:
Sorry, I know I didn’t answer the OPs question, but I don’t really know when we first started wearing them, other than I believe it was under Mears.

I’m going to stop posting now, as I feel like the annoying guy at the office Christmas party that won’t shut up...
Click to expand...
Hey, none of us has all the answers. It's a team effort. Be easy on yourself.
 
#15
#15
CampBlount said:
I can say for a fact that they existed under Ray Mears because I was a student at the time. I cannot speak to prior to Mears.

And for you younger folks, Mears was the consummate showman. As someone mentioned above, they'd dim the lights in Stokely, turn on a spotlight for the UT introductions, have somebody on a unicycle, etc.

But the best thing he did (IMO) was walk up and down the aisles at Candy's Memorial Gym in the pre-game, wearing his Orange blazer. Absolutely loved the guy.

Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Mears coin the phrase "Big Orange Country"?
Click to expand...
Nailed it.:)
 
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#17
#17
CampBlount said:
I can say for a fact that they existed under Ray Mears because I was a student at the time. I cannot speak to prior to Mears.

And for you younger folks, Mears was the consummate showman. As someone mentioned above, they'd dim the lights in Stokely, turn on a spotlight for the UT introductions, have somebody on a unicycle, etc.

But the best thing he did (IMO) was walk up and down the aisles at Candy's Memorial Gym in the pre-game, wearing his Orange blazer. Absolutely loved the guy.

Somebody can correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Mears coin the phrase "Big Orange Country"?
Click to expand...

Mears was out recruiting, possibly driving through Kentucky, and he saw a billboard for Marlboro cigarettes that had the slogan "This is Marlboro Country". A light in his head went off and he adapted it to "This is Big Orange Country".

I don't know if the candy stripes were used before Ernie & Bernie, but I'm pretty sure that Indiana was first. I don't think that Roger Peltz (and then
Bill Seale) wore the candy striped warmups while riding the unicycle. They wore shorts while riding. But they did use an orange and white basketball. Spun it on their finger as they rode the unicycle in for a layup.

They had a warm up routine that started with a line of the players (running out from the locker room) bouncing the ball off of the backboard. After one cycle the last guy threw the ball to the opposite side of the backboard and everybody bounced the ball off of that side. Then after everybody tapped the ball off of each side the last guy in line dunked the ball.

They formed two rows for the passing/dribbling routine. Dribbled through their legs in a figure 8. Circled the ball around their waist. Paired up and passed behind their backs to each other. The finale was the unicycle ride.

For the starting lineup intros the lights dimmed and there was a guy operating a huge spotlight from the balcony. There was a big T rolled out, the opening filled with a sheet of orange paper. The first guy introduced, usually the fan favorite, would bust through the paper and run out to the center circle. Then the next 4 were introduced 1 by 1 as they ran through the T.

The band used to march in in uniform (minus the hats). There was a paper mâché orange mascot (shaped like an actual orange). The Smokey costume came along at some point. It was made out of felt or a similar fabric. It looked more like a rat or a bunny than a hound dog.

They also played a whistling recording of Sweet Georgia Brown as the team went through the warm up routine.

I think that Haywood Harris manned the microphone. It wouldn't have surprised me if Gus Manning was inside the orange costume... but I'm sure it was a student.
 
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#20
#20
@Freak I would like to buy a pair of those pants from the VolNation store here but having trouble locating a link for the listing if they are in inventory. Does anyone know if they are in stock or could post a link in this thread to them? I know someone else that wants to buy them too.
 
#21
#21
OneVolNation said:
@Freak I would like to buy a pair of those pants from the VolNation store here but having trouble locating a link for the listing if they are in inventory. Does anyone know if they are in stock or could post a link in this thread to them? I know someone else that wants to buy them too.
Click to expand...
been looking for awhile cant find them anywhere online -- when Adidas made the they sold out in a couple days -- someone (nIke ?) is missing out on making alot of money on these
 
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#22
#22
Thunder Good-Oil said:
Mears was out recruiting, possibly driving through Kentucky, and he saw a billboard for Marlboro cigarettes that had the slogan "This is Marlboro Country". A light in his head went off and he adapted it to "This is Big Orange Country".

I don't know if the candy stripes were used before Ernie & Bernie, but I'm pretty sure that Indiana was first. I don't think that Roger Peltz (and then
Bill Seale) wore the candy striped warmups while riding the unicycle. They wore shorts while riding. But they did use an orange and white basketball. Spun it on their finger as they rode the unicycle in for a layup.

They had a warm up routine that started with a line of the players (running out from the locker room) bouncing the ball off of the backboard. After one cycle the last guy threw the ball to the opposite side of the backboard and everybody bounced the ball off of that side. Then after everybody tapped the ball off of each side the last guy in line dunked the ball.

They formed two rows for the passing/dribbling routine. Dribbled through their legs in a figure 8. Circled the ball around their waist. Paired up and passed behind their backs to each other. The finale was the unicycle ride.

For the starting lineup intros the lights dimmed and there was a guy operating a huge spotlight from the balcony. There was a big T rolled out, the opening filled with a sheet of orange paper. The first guy introduced, usually the fan favorite, would bust through the paper and run out to the center circle. Then the next 4 were introduced 1 by 1 as they ran through the T.

The band used to march in in uniform (minus the hats). There was a paper mâché orange mascot (shaped like an actual orange). The Smokey costume came along at some point. It was made out of felt or a similar fabric. It looked more like a rat or a bunny than a hound dog.

They also played a whistling recording of Sweet Georgia Brown as the team went through the warm up routine.

I think that Haywood Harris manned the microphone. It wouldn't have surprised me if Gus Manning was inside the orange costume... but I'm sure it was a student.
Click to expand...

A doff of my hat to your excellent memory. Those were great days in Stokely.

I remember one UK game in the Ernie/Bernie Era (we beat UK 5 games in a row) when the students (who occupied an entire side) had pre-arranged to be holding up the Beacon as if we were all reading it while the Cats were introduced, and then threw them up in the air when the Vols came out. As I think about it, the plans for it must have been in that Friday's Beacon. Or maybe all week.
 
#23
#23
Stokely was such an odd building with the hallways and corridors. I loved going to games there. Just an odd but great building.

I went to a lot of games there in there early 80's when I was a kid and the "Sit (Joe, Hugh, Sonnie, Wimp, Dale, etc.) Sit....was classic Stokely!
 
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#25
#25
CampBlount said:
A doff of my hat to your excellent memory. Those were great days in Stokely.

I remember one UK game in the Ernie/Bernie Era (we beat UK 5 games in a row) when the students (who occupied an entire side) had pre-arranged to be holding up the Beacon as if we were all reading it while the Cats were introduced, and then threw them up in the air when the Vols came out. As I think about it, the plans for it must have been in that Friday's Beacon. Or maybe all week.
Click to expand...
I was there. I remember! That was also the game where we all stood on our seats the whole game!
 
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