I certainly cannot speak for the Grand Poomba, High Yummy, Most Exalted One, but I do know he started VN in 2003 as more or less what was expected to be a short term deal along with some Vol buddies. He said something about setting up a .com initially. It soon became growing rapidly to what it is today, the only college sports board worth mentioning. All others pale in comparison.
No he isn't old, of course no one on here seems old to me. I do not know who the early members were, but I would guess Larkin and Big Daddy were two of them. Big Daddy is not big BTW, quite trim and athletic looking. You can check the avatars to see who joined in 2003 to have some ideas.
If I have overstepped the line, I humbly apologize.