Why do you like Tennessee

#26
#26
The first game that I ever attended was in the mid fifties..can't remember the exact year. Back in those days the university alloted tickets to students that were attending a 4H meeting that was held every year in the Alumni gym. This included elementary students also, which I was. The stadium at that time was just the horseshoe with the clock located on the hillside in the north end of the stadium, which was open of course. I remember the team that the Vols played that day was Chattanooga..that's why I KNOW it wasn't 1958..the year of the infamous defeat by Chattanooga. I went to a few games while in high school in the 60's and even while I was a attending ETSU. I remember buying a student ticket for an LSU game and using my ETSU studend ID to get in. I am greatful to have been around to see the evolution of both the stadium and the makeup of both the team and coaching staff. I was there for the intergration of black players and coaches. I remember a hotdog with a little chili on it. I remember guys with neckties and women with high heels attending the games. There are so many many things that have made me a fanatic about the VOLS. The losing years made the wins even more sweet.
Sorry about the rambling..my daughter played in the Pride band for four years..my son also got his degree from UT and they both are fanatics too. So I guess when it gets in your blood, it becomes a genetic thing..anyway..GO VOLS!
 
#27
#27
When I was really young I cheered for the teams that had the coolest colors, kinda silly. A s I got older I began to see the ORANGE light. When I left the States for Germany in 1993 It hit me pretty hard, I was very homesick and when I got a chance to watch the VOLS play it really took me back home. For me its a state pride thing. I am proud to be from the Volunteer State.

Lived out of state for 13 years now and I still have a Tenn. drivers liscense and carry permit.

GO VOLS:rock: :rock:
 
#28
#28
Born in as VOL East TN, I will die as a VOL in East TN.

Can't explain why, its just who I am, you cant describe me with out saying he is a damn good VOL. Its everything I love and above all ITS GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL.
 
#29
#29
Born in WV reared in MD, but my father was born and raised in Tipton County and lived a long time in Chattanooga.

I remember when living in MD, a bowl game where all my friends were rooting for MD, but when we started watching it, my dad said he was rooting for Tennessee, and did so fervently. It very impressionable on a 8 year old. Even though MD won, I rooted for Tennessee ever since. We moved back to TN in 88, and have been avid ever since.
 
#31
#31
mom is from Memphis, Dad is from Chattanooga, both graduated from TN, as did my Mom's brother and his wife as well...i was raised in the Memphis area, and grew up in a TN faithful household. I graduated from TN as well...1st game was in Memphis in the early 80's against the Citadell, and i thought it was the coolest thing ever. Went to the Liberty Bowl against Minnesota, and Cotton Bowl against ARK (got the tickets as a christmas present, still the best gift i ever got)...and a couple of Memphis games in Memphis, as well as an Ole Miss game in Memphis...didn't see my first game in Neyland til i was a student at TN...and man, it sucked. 31 or 34-0 loss in 94 to Florida. I'll never forget sitting in DD well after the game in the rain just looking at the scoreboard...

so, i've really never not been a TN fan...don't know any other way to be.
 
#32
#32
When UT beat maimi in the sugar bowl ,i waws 8 , me and my father sat and watched the whole game. my dad was in no way a football fan. But from that day forward we both bleed orange.......GO VOLS!!!!!!!
 
#33
#33
Grandfather was the first member of the family to go to college. He graduated law school in the class of 1929. Dad graduated twice: BS 1967, MD 1971. Mom graduated twice, BA 1969, MS 1970. Aunts and Uncles graduated multiple times. Several cousins completed the 10-year degree program. (It's double secret). I'm class of '98.

I grew up in N. Florida around lots of FSU fans, so a hatred of the Gators may be part of my chromosomal makeup by now.

My first UT experience was with the Tallahassee alumni association. They got together with my parents and watched the '90 BEAT DOWN of the Gators in Knoxville. I have been a Vol football supporter ever since. If it is 2:15 in Gainesville, what time is it in Knoxville? 45 to 3!!!!

Really just following through on 77 years of family tradition!
 
#35
#35
I was born in 1960 and raised in Soddy Daisy,north of Chattanooga. I have always been a Vol fan because I am from Tennessee and I am so proud of it. I started working for TVA after college in 1984 and was thrown into a melting pot if UT, BAma, GA, and Auburn fans. I lived in Decatur Ala for 4 years in the late 80's and early 90's. We never beat Bama while I was there and it was brutal working at Brown's Ferry and having to put up with those Bammers the whold year long after a loss. I still wore my orange with pride. I was able to move back home in 92 and will never leave again. There is nothing better than a cool crisp autumn morning with blue skies heading up to Knoxville to watch the BIG ORANGE play. The leaves changing colors in Oct in east TN with a backdrop of BIG ORANGE. Tennessee is just part of who I am.
 
#36
#36
I have to credit my papaw. While my parents attended every sporting event I was ever in, they weren't/aren't big sports fans. But my papaw is. I was watching the Vols before I knew what football was. Growing up in Johnson City, I thought it was mandatory to be a Volunteer. I vaguely remember Jeff Francis, and I remember thinking Thomas Woods was the coolest guy in the world, kind of odd for the talent at wr we had w/ him i guess. but my best memory is the 91 Sugar Bowl. I remember it was a school night, and being in 4th grade, my mom made me go to bed since the halftime score was so awful... she taped it for me and I remember her waking me up @ 5:30 in the morning just so I could watch the second half before going to school. ah, I just gave myself goosebumps. No matter where on this Earth God takes me, I'll be a Vol.
 
#37
#37
What's not to like?... Born in Middle Tennessee, too close to Bama country (lived in Huntsville for several years and being surrounded by bammers just drives more Orange into your blood!! ) Graduated from UT , work for them now. Like Larkin says it's we or us, I consider myself a part of the BIG ORANGE family. No one has to ask what to get me for Christmas or birthdays , as long as it's orange it's all good.
 
#39
#39
He used to hitch-hike up Western Avenue in the 50s to make it to UT games. He was in high school during Majors' run at the hypesman and got to see the '56 team play many times. I was indoctrinated because of this at a very young age and thanks to Turner Sports SEC football in the mid 80s, I got to see a lot of the Big Orange at 11:30am cst in Panama City!
 
#40
#40
My dad attended UT on the GI Bill.To have 5 children and attend school was an accomplishment in it's self.Went to orange/white game as a child.I can remember back when I was 9/10 I really flipped for the Vols.My now departed dad(1988),instilled his love for the big orange to me as I have done my three boys.Needless to say, we all have the big orange fever.He also passed his love for education as he has a grand daughter finishing med school,grandson entering Clinical Psychology Doctorate Program next year(Major Neuropsychology),several in school,etc. and he was a deacon!
 
#41
#41
I was born and raised in middle Tennessee and spent the first 30 years of my life in Tennessee and grew up loving the Vols. I even got accepted to UT Law School, but I ended up getting my education at private schools in other states. I now live in Texas, but I still love the Vols.
 
#42
#42
SWIL said:
Born in FLA, raised in GA. Brainwashed as a Vol!!! Both my parents went to college there. My Mom's from Oakridge, my Dad's from Henderson. It's a family thing =)
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herksrus said:
My parents live in Henderson right now. My mom grew up there. I have spents countless days there with my grandparents. Man, I miss Tennessee:cray:
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Hey! I grew up in Henderson. I don't get back very often, but I still have some family and friends that live there.

Even growing up in Tennessee, I really didn't follow the Vols very closely until the '85 season. Beating Auburn with Bo Jackson was awesome. I then got to go to my first game at Neyland later that year. (An unexpectedly close game with Wake Forest) My brother was a student then and I got in on one of his friend's student ID's. Good thing I was a big 14 year old.

Later that year, of course, was the Sugar Bowl win over Miami. :rock: After that season I was hooked. I went on to get a couple of degrees from UT. My wife is also a grad. Now that we live in Texas it might be a little harder to brainwash my kids to be Vol fans, but I think my wife and I are up to the task.
 
#45
#45
Growing up in Tennessee = Pulling for Tennessee

My first memory is the 1996 Citrus Bowl against Ohio State. Nice first impression to make on a then 8 year old.
 
#46
#46
You just made me feel like an old geezer on that one. I was living in St. Louis as a recent college grad during that year ('96). I remember running to Target just before kick-off to pick up a cd for my girlfriend (part of her b-day present). I figured I wouldn't miss anything, but when I got back into my car to go home, it was already 21-0 Vols. I was shocked and elated. :)
 
#47
#47
Well the Vols only scored 20 points in the game I was talking about. :)

The '96 Citrus Bowl (1-1-96), following the '95 season. :) :thumbsup:
 
#48
#48
Born and raised in Greenbrier, TN. Got into UT on a music scholarship. Got offers from other schools, but there was no choise. Nothing is better than the VOLS!
 
#49
#49
I was born at Fort Sanders west, grew up off western ave, and went to West High School five miles from campus. I used to sell line ups outside the games and occasionally get in because someone could not sell their tickets. My parents went to knoxville college and Mom is from Cincy and Dad from Pittsburgh. My dad took me to my first UT game to see Bo Jackson come to town. I then Went to UT and played football for 4 years there getting the 97' championship ring (nothing from 98' because i was ineligible.). So you could say i was born into Orange. I walked on at UT when I could have gotten a scholarship eslewhere.
 
#50
#50
I like University of Tennessee football because its the best college football program ever. Watching the team run through the "T" and listening to Rocky Top sends chills up and down my spine. Oddly enough, my dad and brother despise the Vols (Memphis Tiger fans :crazy: ). I am completely obsessed with Volunteer football, and there's nothing I'd rather do on a Saturday in the fall than watch Tennessee play, win or lose (mostly win :good!: ).
 
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