Volosaurus rex
Doctorate in Volology
- Joined
- Dec 2, 2009
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VQ: "Two more quick recruiting questions, pertaining to football specifically. How impressed or what was your reaction to the fact that recruits still found ways to come to Knoxville to Neyland Stadium even as the program battled some restrictions that were put in place from previous staffs but they still found ways to get prospects excited and on to campus? How pivotal was that?"
DH: "I think Butch and his staff have done a great job with that. They have been very, very enthusiastic, very genuine, and very creative. When those prospects have come on campus, it's been a first class experience. And I have had a lot of them say that to me unsolicited. And the parents and the guardians, they have enjoyed themselves. They feel Butch's energy. They really do. I have had a lot of them say that to me. They are invested. They know there are bright days ahead and they know they can play a key role in that. That's been real important. They see what's happening. They see the building that coming on line. They see the plans for the Stokley footprint. The new residence hall. The extended practice field. They are meeting some high quality people when they come on campus. So all of that has been very, very possible.
Now we still have roads to travel. We have to get to February and sign them. But it's been very, very exciting to watch it unfold."
VQ: "What do you think of their creativity to use a boat, mailers or whatever?"
DH: "Butch from day one and it was obvious that night talking to him in Lexington - Butch is very much in tuned to what the 17 year old, 18 year old, 19 year old young people are into. From a technology standpoint. From a 'hey each time I come coach show me something different'. He's done a great job of that. Our staff has done a great job of that. So when you visit for that fourth time, you are as excited as you were that first time because you're seeing something different each time you come. It's not just the same template. 'Well I've already seen that, or done that, or I've already been there.'
And our fan base has played a key role in all of this. Let's be honest. The atmosphere for Georgia and South Carolina, they are not going to see that anywhere else they go. I mean the stadium was shaking and yet, as you pointed out John, this is when we are in this rebuilding mode if you will. They know what they can be a part of to get us to our ultimate destination."
For the full content of this free article, see State of the program: Dave Hart, Part II.
DH: "I think Butch and his staff have done a great job with that. They have been very, very enthusiastic, very genuine, and very creative. When those prospects have come on campus, it's been a first class experience. And I have had a lot of them say that to me unsolicited. And the parents and the guardians, they have enjoyed themselves. They feel Butch's energy. They really do. I have had a lot of them say that to me. They are invested. They know there are bright days ahead and they know they can play a key role in that. That's been real important. They see what's happening. They see the building that coming on line. They see the plans for the Stokley footprint. The new residence hall. The extended practice field. They are meeting some high quality people when they come on campus. So all of that has been very, very possible.
Now we still have roads to travel. We have to get to February and sign them. But it's been very, very exciting to watch it unfold."
VQ: "What do you think of their creativity to use a boat, mailers or whatever?"
DH: "Butch from day one and it was obvious that night talking to him in Lexington - Butch is very much in tuned to what the 17 year old, 18 year old, 19 year old young people are into. From a technology standpoint. From a 'hey each time I come coach show me something different'. He's done a great job of that. Our staff has done a great job of that. So when you visit for that fourth time, you are as excited as you were that first time because you're seeing something different each time you come. It's not just the same template. 'Well I've already seen that, or done that, or I've already been there.'
And our fan base has played a key role in all of this. Let's be honest. The atmosphere for Georgia and South Carolina, they are not going to see that anywhere else they go. I mean the stadium was shaking and yet, as you pointed out John, this is when we are in this rebuilding mode if you will. They know what they can be a part of to get us to our ultimate destination."
For the full content of this free article, see State of the program: Dave Hart, Part II.
