The great tradition of Tennessee football

#1
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dw0731

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#1
I was raised in Lansing, Michigan and followed Michigan State football. I met my wife Linda, in 1997 who was a graduate of UT and an immense fan UT football. Her family had season tickets since 1968 in the south endzone. She took me to my first UT footballl game in November of 1997. I can tell you Neyland Stadium was the most impressive stadium I had ever been to and still is. I remember thousands of fans greeting players on the VOL walk and then watched the marching band come down the hill playing Rocky Top. The crowd sang the chorus and the atmosphere was incredible. After the VOLS beat Vanderbilt in a close game, Peyton Manning directed the band in Rocky Top. As an outsider looking in, I just want you all to remember what a special place you all have here. We go to every home game even though it is a 500 mile round trip and I don't mind to experience what you all have here. GO VOLS!!!
 
#2
#2
welcome aboard, my uncle took me to a game in the early 80's when I was a kid and was sold ever since. When you see that army of orange every where it still gives me chills.
When you see the stadium you are in awe especially with the new renovations now.
GO VOLS!!! :rock:
 
#4
#4
I feel ya on the road trip. I drive 6 hours(12 round trip) to the games
 
#5
#5
It is hard to not take for granted the special thing we have at Neyland. Glad you can enjoy with all of us.
 
#7
#7
I went to that game...I was 13, so I don't remember much from it, but Manning directing the band sticks out...that's not something u forget.. especially because it was really close to where my uncle and I were sitting
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#8
#8
dw0731 said:
I was raised in Lansing, Michigan and followed Michigan State football. I met my wife Linda, in 1997 who was a graduate of UT and an immense fan UT football. Her family had season tickets since 1968 in the south endzone. She took me to my first UT footballl game in November of 1997. I can tell you Neyland Stadium was the most impressive stadium I had ever been to and still is. I remember thousands of fans greeting players on the VOL walk and then watched the marching band come down the hill playing Rocky Top. The crowd sang the chorus and the atmosphere was incredible. After the VOLS beat Vanderbilt in a close game, Peyton Manning directed the band in Rocky Top. As an outsider looking in, I just want you all to remember what a special place you all have here. We go to every home game even though it is a 500 mile round trip and I don't mind to experience what you all have here. GO VOLS!!!
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Know a couple Vandy guys and they said they worked on that bootleg play all week long. They still cuss out the guy who blew that play whenever it is brought up. Wish I could have been there.
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#9
#9
strongtower said:
welcome aboard, my uncle took me to a game in the early 80's when I was a kid and was sold ever since. When you see that army of orange every where it still gives me chills.
When you see the stadium you are in awe especially with the new renovations now.
GO VOLS!!! :rock:
Click to expand...

Since you've been going to games since the early '80's do you think the stadium "experience" has been diminished?

I think the first game I went to was in '78 or '79. The first one I truly remember was '80 Southern Cal. I went to just about every home game from the late '80's to '97 when I moved away. I agree with the starter of this thread that '97 was a special year. '97 and '98 seem to be high-water mark for the Neyland experience.

I guess the product on the field and student section half empty have a lot to do with it.
 
#13
#13
Boca Vol said:
Since you've been going to games since the early '80's do you think the stadium "experience" has been diminished?

I think the first game I went to was in '78 or '79. The first one I truly remember was '80 Southern Cal. I went to just about every home game from the late '80's to '97 when I moved away. I agree with the starter of this thread that '97 was a special year. '97 and '98 seem to be high-water mark for the Neyland experience.

I guess the product on the field and student section half empty have a lot to do with it.
Click to expand...

IMO, the stadium experience hasn't been the same since '04-ish. I started going to games as a kid in the late 90's and then as a student starting in '01. As you said, the product on the field was better then, so it has something to do with it.

Not as much energy and noise anymore... Plenty of blue hairs ready to call the ushers though if you dare stand up!

I think it was the 2002 NCAA Football game when they added a home field advantage feature and Neyland was #1. Hope we can bring that kind of energy back. I kinda feel bad that the students today haven't got to be a part of that excitement.
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#15
#15
justingroves said:
Vegas Vol claims Tennessee is comparable to Michigan State.
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lol really? figures.

I also grew up in Lansing (until I was in middle school) and went to dozens of Michigan State games (my uncle had season tickets). I always had a great time and still love the Spartans but I can tell you it's NOTHING like a game in Neyland Stadium.

The best thing my parents ever did was move my family to Tennessee and the best decision I ever made was to attend UT for college. Can't imagine my life not being a Volunteer.
 
#16
#16
Vegas Vol gives about as good of insight into college athletics as Helen Keller.
 
#17
#17
Great to hear! My first game was when I 13 years when we played East Carolina. Yeah I know it was a sorry team at the time but I got watch Manning, Little, and Wilson, as well as others. I still get chills before every game and get so Riled up, sometimes its hard for me to enjoy the game. I know we may not be that good this year but I can wait till I hear "Its Football time in Tennessee". 89 more days! I think...?
 
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#20
#20
UTME06 said:
IMO, the stadium experience hasn't been the same since '04-ish. I started going to games as a kid in the late 90's and then as a student starting in '01. As you said, the product on the field was better then, so it has something to do with it.

Not as much energy and noise anymore... Plenty of blue hairs ready to call the ushers though if you dare stand up!

I think it was the 2002 NCAA Football game when they added a home field advantage feature and Neyland was #1. Hope we can bring that kind of energy back. I kinda feel bad that the students today haven't got to be a part of that excitement.
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Click to expand...


People that were going to games in the 80's told me the same thing in the mid 90's. I do think the energy has decreased a lot over the last several years but I think it is due to the fact that we are down now. However, as electric media has become more prolific there aren't as many passionate and loyal fans as there were 20+ years ago. Many young people today grow up liking several teams and obviously teams doing well attract followers.
That said Neyland will be rocking and rolling again when we are consistently a top 10 team again, beat our rivals and play for titles. Maybe not like 1980 but the energy is still there, it just needs to have a conduit (winning teams).
 
#21
#21
dw0731 said:
I was raised in Lansing, Michigan and followed Michigan State football. I met my wife Linda, in 1997 who was a graduate of UT and an immense fan UT football. Her family had season tickets since 1968 in the south endzone. She took me to my first UT footballl game in November of 1997. I can tell you Neyland Stadium was the most impressive stadium I had ever been to and still is. I remember thousands of fans greeting players on the VOL walk and then watched the marching band come down the hill playing Rocky Top. The crowd sang the chorus and the atmosphere was incredible. After the VOLS beat Vanderbilt in a close game, Peyton Manning directed the band in Rocky Top. As an outsider looking in, I just want you all to remember what a special place you all have here. We go to every home game even though it is a 500 mile round trip and I don't mind to experience what you all have here. GO VOLS!!!
Click to expand...

When I read stories like this, I can't help but smile and be proud of our traditions and the impact they have on people from all over.

I have been a Volunteer fan from the time I was four years old, and I remember such players as Manning, Heath Shuler, Mose Phillips, James "Little Man" Stewart, Al Wilson, etc., and the I remember sitting in the living room with my brothers in front of the television screen during the 1999 Fiesta Bowl when Tee Martin and Peerless Price hooked up to choke what was virtually the last breath from the Florida State Seminoles. It was that and other fond memories from that game and others that I will not soon forget.

I didn't go to my first game at Neyland Stadium until 2006, when I was a freshman at UT. It was the first game of the season, against the Golden Bears of California. Quite a first game, don't you think? I can remember my friend coming up to me and telling me that the reason that we pounded the Bears so badly was because "they were a bunch of tree-hugging hippies, and we're a bunch of rednecks." I never forgot that; it was a rather humorous summation to what was a fun night. :lol:

To underestimate the grandeur that is Saturday in Knoxville is to underestimate this proverbial "slice" of Americana. The Vol Walk, the Vol Navy, the Pride's Salute to the Hill, 100,000+ fans dressed in orange, the checkerboard end zones, running through the "T", not to mention "Rocky Top," is exactly what college football is all about. We're very grateful that you were able to experience such grandeur (your wife is a smart lady! :)), because it is a feeling that never leaves you, once you get that first whiff of the Knoxville air on a crisp autumn Saturday morning. I believe that a lot of our rivals often take our traditions for granted and are quick to put us down, but that is because they just don't understand what our traditions truly mean and why we value them so much. But that's just me. I am, however, glad that you understand. :)

I am grateful that you have joined us in the Big Orange Nation. Welcome, fellow Orange Warrior. :hi:

By the way, the color crimson is the Devil and orange does not go with blue. And if you encounter anyone wearing red and black, feel free to b****slap them back to Athens. :lol:
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#22
#22
Boca Vol said:
Since you've been going to games since the early '80's do you think the stadium "experience" has been diminished?

I think the first game I went to was in '78 or '79. The first one I truly remember was '80 Southern Cal. I went to just about every home game from the late '80's to '97 when I moved away. I agree with the starter of this thread that '97 was a special year. '97 and '98 seem to be high-water mark for the Neyland experience.

I guess the product on the field and student section half empty have a lot to do with it.
Click to expand...

I'll say the experience hasn't been the same since the 05 season IMO but will not keep me from going to any games. I still have a blast but we will return. All great teams have their ups and downs.
 
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