What is the atmosphere like at Vols games?

[HeavenUniversity]

On TV, Thompson Boling Arena sounds pretty loud, especially for such a huuuge arena. Are fans into it even way upstairs or high behind the baskets? Is it a reactive or proactive crowd? Number of times Rocky Top is played more—basketball or football lol? Some colleges, Texas A&M and Ohio State come to mind, have big arenas, but sound dead as an NBA game.

 

[GiveHim6InSC]

I’ve sat all around the arena and it has been loud in the rafters and near the court, depending on the game. I love going to games there. If you’re not a Tennessee fan, you probably won’t like how many times they play “Rocky Top”. Coach Pearl called it a “palace” and I agree with him.

 

[VolFreakJosh]

I’ll be in Knoxville January 28th for the UK/UT game.

Should be an electric atmosphere.

 

[HeavenUniversity]

Is the structure UT put in that replaced some seats used for the press or luxury boxes? Or both?

 

[lostsheep]

Have to give credit to the University for how TBA has evolved.
From the time the arena opened up through the Buzz years it provided little home-court advantage imo. It was arguably too big for the energy behind the teams we were fielding during those days. As a kid that experienced games at Stokely, I often wished we had never built TBA and just upgraded Stokely.
The Pearl years changed the trajectory of the program, as well as the atmosphere in TBA. In the last 20 years we've gone from having curtains to hide the upper deck seats to one of the hottest tickets in the SEC.
Only way it could be better imo is to get some students side-court, rather than the blue hairs who get aggravated if someone stands in front of them. Unfortunately, I don't think this will ever happen.

 

[DooleyOrangePants]

It can be electric. And it can be plenty loud. Many games rank up there, but that game against Arizona at TBA in 2021 was an ear ringer. Just a wild atmosphere, like you’d see at any of the blue bloods. Even the lesser opponents games are well represented by our fans.

Having said that, your mileage will vary in some locations especially lower level behind the benches. Lot of blue hairs who sit on their hands and will evil eye you if you decide to stand or be passionate. We had to move our season tickets for that reason alone. Nice folks, just didn’t like anyone standing or cheering. They had their scoresheets and they were happy just sitting and complaining that people were too loud. And about the music played during warmups. And Sterl screaming (sometimes I’m in that camp).

 

[Voljayton]

It can be electric. And it can be plenty loud. Many games rank up there, but that game against Arizona at TBA in 2021 was an ear ringer. Just a wild atmosphere, like you’d see at any of the blue bloods. Even the lesser opponents games are well represented by our fans.

Having said that, your mileage will vary in some locations especially lower level behind the benches. Lot of blue hairs who sit on their hands and will evil eye you if you decide to stand or be passionate. We had to move our season tickets for that reason alone. Nice folks, just didn’t like anyone standing or cheering. They had their scoresheets and they were happy just sitting and complaining that people were too loud. And about the music played during warmups. And Sterl screaming (sometimes I’m in that camp).

I just can't understand why people would go to those games if not for the atmosphere/noise and excitement. Why not just stay home if you can't handle people standing up and being loud? I agree with whoever said it earlier. That section should be replaced with a student section.

 

[The Dog]

The loudest I ever heard TBA was the UT/UK game when we retired Bernard King's jersey. Bruce was the coach and we won. Can't remember what year, but obviously over a decade ago and before the luxury box area

 

[CAVPUT]

On TV, Thompson Boling Arena sounds pretty loud, especially for such a huuuge arena. Are fans into it even way upstairs or high behind the baskets? Is it a reactive or proactive crowd? Number of times Rocky Top is played more—basketball or football lol? Some colleges, Texas A&M and Ohio State come to mind, have big arenas, but sound dead as an NBA game.

Pretty nice until the youngsters interrupt my nap. Wish they'd sit down and hush up.

 

[HeavenUniversity]

Pretty nice until the youngsters interrupt my nap. Wish they'd sit down and hush up.

Do your local police have a 24/7 officer stationed in front of your house to prevent any lawn trespassing incidents?

 

[VolsSportsFan]

I just can't understand why people would go to those games if not for the atmosphere/noise and excitement. Why not just stay home if you can't handle people standing up and being loud? I agree with whoever said it earlier. That section should be replaced with a student section.

I was at the Oklahoma St. game at Bridgestone in Nashville back in 2006 and even there an old man tapped me on the shoulder and told e to sit down when the game was back and forth. I ignored him the first time and the second time I told him to not touch me again. He threatened to get an usher and I was like "And tell him what, that I won't stop cheering?"

Funniest part is Vols won on a tip in and he was up celebrating and high fived me.

 

[HeavenUniversity]

I think the only times it is ok to ask someone to sit down is if there is a family with small children or someone who may not be technically handicapped, but has trouble getting up and down/standing long periods of time. Other than that, just stay home and sit on the couch.

 

[dobre_shunka]

Yesterday's game never really got loud except for the booing on Aidoo. And while Calipari was doing his typical overreacting drama queen stchitck, he was relatively subdued and didn't come out into the court as much as in the past.

I think with Tennesse getting a comfortable lead early and Arkansas never making a real run kept the crowd some what less involved. And with school not starting yet, not as many students as typical games

 

[VolsSportsFan]

I think the only times it is ok to ask someone to sit down is if there is a family with small children or someone who may not be technically handicapped, but has trouble getting up and down/standing long periods of time. Other than that, just stay home and sit on the couch.

I would work with them but let them know if the action gets hype I'm standing. I'm not trying to be a douche but it's a game. It's like asking someone to sit at a rock concert.

 

[Jake]

TBA opened in December of my freshman year at UT 1987. Over my time as a student there, I remember some insane home games when we played LSU with Chris Jackson and Shaq in ‘89 or ‘90 and a very memorable win against UK in ‘88 when they had Rex Chapman. Someone(s) put mini posters up all over campus encouraging everyone to bring a roll of toilet paper with them to the game and when Kentucky scored their first basket, everyone was to throw their tp onto the court. Well, I think everyone got the memo, because when UK scored their first basket, it rained toilet paper for what seemed like an eternity. UT got a technical, it took them 15 minutes to clean the floor up and one of the UT Cheerleaders fell and broke her ankle, as I recall. There had to be at least 15-20,000 rolls of unraveled toilet paper on the floor. It was one of the biggest crowds ever at TBA back when we could stuff 25,000 in there, and if I remember right those were some of the biggest regular season crowds in college basketball history.

 

[VolCalls]

On TV, Thompson Boling Arena sounds pretty loud, especially for such a huuuge arena. Are fans into it even way upstairs or high behind the baskets? Is it a reactive or proactive crowd? Number of times Rocky Top is played more—basketball or football lol? Some colleges, Texas A&M and Ohio State come to mind, have big arenas, but sound dead as an NBA game.

I haven’t been to a game at TBA in 25 years. On ESPN it sounds very subdued, even during big games. The CBS game vs UK last year was much different - it was rowdy and energetic. Makes me wonder if CBS places mics in different places that are more conducive to picking up crowd noise.

 

[Unconditional Surrender]

I haven’t been to a game at TBA in 25 years. On ESPN it sounds very subdued, even during big games. The CBS game vs UK last year was much different - it was rowdy and energetic. Makes me wonder if CBS places mics in different places that are more conducive to picking up crowd noise.

I agree. It got a lot louder when Pearl was here. Im usually unimpressed. Most people just sit. Unless we are playing Kentucky (or Memphis) then it’s absolutely insane.

 

[DooleyOrangePants]

I would work with them but let them know if the action gets hype I'm standing. I'm not trying to be a douche but it's a game. It's like asking someone to sit at a rock concert.

Funny, there were people like that at the Morgan Wallen concert. I watched a guy lose his mind because the couple in front of him stood up during some songs, along with 98% of the arena. Cops came and told the guy as politely as they could to deal with it and calm down, but he turned his ire at them and that was that. I guess he and his wife got to watch it somewhere else or not at all.

I’m guessing they thought it was an outdoor opera.

 

[Lefteye]

Funny, there were people like that at the Morgan Wallen concert. I watched a guy lose his mind because the couple in front of him stood up during some songs, along with 98% of the arena. Cops came and told the guy as politely as they could to deal with it and calm down, but he turned his ire at them and that was that. I guess he and his wife got to watch it somewhere else or not at all.

The Lazy Drunk Tank.

 

[DooleyOrangePants]

The Lazy Drunk Tank.

Yeah, except these two were probably in their 50’s and didn’t appear to have any issues that would prevent them from standing or moving to see the stage. They also didn’t appear to have been drinking, but I can’t be sure. To lose your mind over people standing at a concert causes me to question their sobriety or their general state of mind.

 

[Lefteye]

Yeah, except these two were probably in their 50’s and didn’t appear to have any issues that would prevent them from standing or moving to see the stage. They also didn’t appear to have been drinking, but I can’t be sure. To lose your mind over people standing at a concert causes me to question their sobriety or their general state of mind.

Ahh Mr and Mrs Karen then.

 

[HeavenUniversity]

Funny, there were people like that at the Morgan Wallen concert. I watched a guy lose his mind because the couple in front of him stood up during some songs, along with 98% of the arena. Cops came and told the guy as politely as they could to deal with it and calm down, but he turned his ire at them and that was that. I guess he and his wife got to watch it somewhere else or not at all.

I’m guessing they thought it was an outdoor opera.

Wait, you mean Morgan Wallen didn’t write La Boheme?

 

[livefaith]

Have to give credit to the University for how TBA has evolved.
From the time the arena opened up through the Buzz years it provided little home-court advantage imo. It was arguably too big for the energy behind the teams we were fielding during those days. As a kid that experienced games at Stokely, I often wished we had never built TBA and just upgraded Stokely.
The Pearl years changed the trajectory of the program, as well as the atmosphere in TBA. In the last 20 years we've gone from having curtains to hide the upper deck seats to one of the hottest tickets in the SEC.
Only way it could be better imo is to get some students side-court, rather than the blue hairs who get aggravated if someone stands in front of them. Unfortunately, I don't think this will ever happen.

You really nailed that last part. Many games appear totally pedestrian on TV because all the students are in the end zone seating(standing). That's a 2 edged sword too because the opposing team doesn't have to face those crazies at the FT line in 2nd ½.
I know it rocks in there. My fav was being beside the students on the 2006 UT win over UTjr. Electric! I just think we lose a lot the way TV shows games compared to some others.

 

[feathersax]

The loudest I ever heard TBA was the UT/UK game when we retired Bernard King's jersey. Bruce was the coach and we won. Can't remember what year, but obviously over a decade ago and before the luxury box area

Bernard King’s jersey, Number 53, was the first basketball number to be retired in accord with a policy announced in February 2007. His number was retired at halftime of the UT-Kentucky game on February 13, 2007. The number of Ernie Grunfeld, his partner in the “Ernie and Bernie” basketball duo, was retired at halftime of the Kentucky game on March 2, 2008. Here's a photo of Bernie at a UT-UK game ten years later. He always enjoy beating the 'Cats.

 

[sami]

I've never seen a game at TBA, but watching on TV it sounds loud during big games (UK, Bama, etc.), but otherwise only loud at certain points during games - needing a big stop, after a run, or after a big basket into a time-out.

I was at UT during the Stokely years and loved going to games in that bandbox, which would just get crazy. You still had alumni sitting on their hands, but the students were on one sideline behind the opposing bench, and would make the opposing coaches crazy.

I remember being very disappointed when TBA was opened, and am still a bit envious of those great road environments in the loud smaller buildings, like the one at Illinois earlier this season. But $$$$$$$ rules all.