skasper06
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So, I know it's long and I don't expect everyone to read it for that reason. But this was by far the most fun I've ever had doing any school work. I had to write an informative speech for speech class so I wrote mine on the Tennessee Vols. It's not perfect and maybe it's not 100% accurate but it's pretty darn close. I'm not looking for any trolls who just want to correct something I did wrong. Just wanting to share something fun and see what my Vol Family thinks. (and yes we were allowed to use wikipedia) Here goes..
How many of you are college football fans? What makes your favorite team the best? As a former college football featured columnist for bleacherreport.com and a passionate Tennessee football fan, I have learned and experienced a lot about the college football world. And while many other schools are impressive, there is only one Tennessee. Today, I am going to share with you the following four reasons why the the University of Tennessee has become one of the most impressive college football programs in history: their reputation for winning, rich traditions, a passionate fan base and the ability to produce top-notch NFL players.
First, let me speak a little bit on one of the most popular and important things to consider when talking about prestigious college football programs: winning.
The University of Tennessee, known as the Tennessee Volunteers, has won more games since 1928 than any other college football team in America according to the football program's Wikipedia webpage. Along with that incredible statistic, the Volunteers have 799 wins, 354 losses and 53 ties since their first season in 1891 which ranks number 8 on the all-time winning percentage list and 11 on the all-time wins list.
Not only does Tennessee have a great overall win record, but they are also known for winning on the big stage. They have won 25 bowl games, 16 conference championships and 6 national championships including the very first BCS national championship of the modern era in 1998. The Volunteers have had 10 undefeated seasons and they are one of only two teams to have never lost 8 games in a season.
Tennessee competes in the South Eastern Conference where they have four main rivals: Alabama, Florida, Vanderbilt and Kentucky. Overall, the Vols have a record of 199 wins to just 115 losses and 21 ties against these rivals. At Tennessee, winning is not just expected, but it's a tradition. Which leads me into my second topic.
At the University of Tennessee, tradition runs deep and they take it very serious. A lot of the traditions found at UT have been around for longer than most of us have been alive. One of the oldest and most exciting traditions is the Running through the T at Neyland Stadium.
Before each home game since 1963, the college's band known as The Pride of the Southland Marching Band, forms a giant letter T on the field. The players then come running out of the tunnel, through the T and over to their sideline. This tradition has become something the Tennessee players look forward to before every home game.
Another great tradition comes in the form of a song: Rocky Top. According to the school's athletic website, the University's official song is On a Hallowed Hill but the most popular song Rocky Top, which is played after every Tennessee score, was written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and was adopted by the Pride of the Southland Marching Band in 1972 and when they play it, the entire crowd sings along.
One of the most popular game-day traditions is the Vol Walk. On the day of each home game, all the players dress in their Sunday-best and walk to Neyland Stadium. They go down Peyton Manning Pass and up Phillip Fulmer Way to the Stadium. Tennessee fans crowd the streets to welcome the players and the Pride of the Southland Marching Band follows as everyone celebrates Tennessee Football together.
Along with these great traditions there are several others. The blue-tick coonhound mascot Smokey, the touching of the sign before each home game that says I will give my all for Tennessee today, and the Vol Navy of boats that tailgate the Tennessee River just outside the stadium are all traditions that make Tennessee unique and special.
Perhaps one of the most special things about Tennessee's football program is the passionate fan base. Because of these passionate fans, the school boasts the third largest college football stadium in the country with a capacity of 102,455. That also makes it the 6th largest stadium in the entire world. This incredible advantage for the home team is part of the reason the Vols win nearly 80% of their home games and has made Neyland Stadium one of the toughest places for opposing teams to play. According to the football team page of the Volunteers, the average attendance to each home game is over 90,000 and the largest attendance was 109,061 in 2004 against Florida which definitely makes Tennessee fans not only passionate, but loyal.
With so many fans, it's no wonder even celebrities have proudly donned the orange Power T logo. Famous names including Quentin Tarantino, Justin Timberlake, Samuel L Jackson, Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels, Reese Witherspoon, Al Gore, and Elvis Presley have all showed their pride in Tennessee football over the years. With such a proud force of followers, Tennessee has some of the best fans in the world.
Lastly, the team's ability to produce high quality NFL players has put them in the highest category for prestige and reputation. There are currently over 35 former Volunteers on active NFL rosters today. Most of them are starters and play a key role in the success of their professional team. A few popular names include Peyton Manning, Arian Foster, Eric Berry and Jason Witten.
Over the years, Tennessee has also been known to put some of the best talent in the annual NFL Draft. According to a recent documentary video uploaded to the schools Youtube account they have had 44 players drafted in the first round alone tied for 5th in the entire collegiate standings. Most recently was Cordarrelle Patterson in this year's draft a wide receiver taken by the Minnesota Vikings.
Another great accomplishment came for professional former Vols this past NFL season when a league-high number of six players from the same University made the Pro Bowl. Along with that feat, the football program has also had over 350 players make it to the professional level which puts them in the top 10 in the NCAA for that category. So far, two players are already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with several more likely to come.
In conclusion, I have discussed four reasons why the University of Tennessee is one of the most historic football programs in the country: a reputation for winning, rich traditions, the intense fan base, and the ability to generate high quality NFL players. Each of these reasons show important parts to the success of the Tennessee Volunteers football team. Whether you are already a Volunteer fan, a fan of another team, or perhaps you don't even like football, you can't deny what this historic college football team has built. Thank you and Go Vols!
How many of you are college football fans? What makes your favorite team the best? As a former college football featured columnist for bleacherreport.com and a passionate Tennessee football fan, I have learned and experienced a lot about the college football world. And while many other schools are impressive, there is only one Tennessee. Today, I am going to share with you the following four reasons why the the University of Tennessee has become one of the most impressive college football programs in history: their reputation for winning, rich traditions, a passionate fan base and the ability to produce top-notch NFL players.
First, let me speak a little bit on one of the most popular and important things to consider when talking about prestigious college football programs: winning.
The University of Tennessee, known as the Tennessee Volunteers, has won more games since 1928 than any other college football team in America according to the football program's Wikipedia webpage. Along with that incredible statistic, the Volunteers have 799 wins, 354 losses and 53 ties since their first season in 1891 which ranks number 8 on the all-time winning percentage list and 11 on the all-time wins list.
Not only does Tennessee have a great overall win record, but they are also known for winning on the big stage. They have won 25 bowl games, 16 conference championships and 6 national championships including the very first BCS national championship of the modern era in 1998. The Volunteers have had 10 undefeated seasons and they are one of only two teams to have never lost 8 games in a season.
Tennessee competes in the South Eastern Conference where they have four main rivals: Alabama, Florida, Vanderbilt and Kentucky. Overall, the Vols have a record of 199 wins to just 115 losses and 21 ties against these rivals. At Tennessee, winning is not just expected, but it's a tradition. Which leads me into my second topic.
At the University of Tennessee, tradition runs deep and they take it very serious. A lot of the traditions found at UT have been around for longer than most of us have been alive. One of the oldest and most exciting traditions is the Running through the T at Neyland Stadium.
Before each home game since 1963, the college's band known as The Pride of the Southland Marching Band, forms a giant letter T on the field. The players then come running out of the tunnel, through the T and over to their sideline. This tradition has become something the Tennessee players look forward to before every home game.
Another great tradition comes in the form of a song: Rocky Top. According to the school's athletic website, the University's official song is On a Hallowed Hill but the most popular song Rocky Top, which is played after every Tennessee score, was written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant and was adopted by the Pride of the Southland Marching Band in 1972 and when they play it, the entire crowd sings along.
One of the most popular game-day traditions is the Vol Walk. On the day of each home game, all the players dress in their Sunday-best and walk to Neyland Stadium. They go down Peyton Manning Pass and up Phillip Fulmer Way to the Stadium. Tennessee fans crowd the streets to welcome the players and the Pride of the Southland Marching Band follows as everyone celebrates Tennessee Football together.
Along with these great traditions there are several others. The blue-tick coonhound mascot Smokey, the touching of the sign before each home game that says I will give my all for Tennessee today, and the Vol Navy of boats that tailgate the Tennessee River just outside the stadium are all traditions that make Tennessee unique and special.
Perhaps one of the most special things about Tennessee's football program is the passionate fan base. Because of these passionate fans, the school boasts the third largest college football stadium in the country with a capacity of 102,455. That also makes it the 6th largest stadium in the entire world. This incredible advantage for the home team is part of the reason the Vols win nearly 80% of their home games and has made Neyland Stadium one of the toughest places for opposing teams to play. According to the football team page of the Volunteers, the average attendance to each home game is over 90,000 and the largest attendance was 109,061 in 2004 against Florida which definitely makes Tennessee fans not only passionate, but loyal.
With so many fans, it's no wonder even celebrities have proudly donned the orange Power T logo. Famous names including Quentin Tarantino, Justin Timberlake, Samuel L Jackson, Dolly Parton, Charlie Daniels, Reese Witherspoon, Al Gore, and Elvis Presley have all showed their pride in Tennessee football over the years. With such a proud force of followers, Tennessee has some of the best fans in the world.
Lastly, the team's ability to produce high quality NFL players has put them in the highest category for prestige and reputation. There are currently over 35 former Volunteers on active NFL rosters today. Most of them are starters and play a key role in the success of their professional team. A few popular names include Peyton Manning, Arian Foster, Eric Berry and Jason Witten.
Over the years, Tennessee has also been known to put some of the best talent in the annual NFL Draft. According to a recent documentary video uploaded to the schools Youtube account they have had 44 players drafted in the first round alone tied for 5th in the entire collegiate standings. Most recently was Cordarrelle Patterson in this year's draft a wide receiver taken by the Minnesota Vikings.
Another great accomplishment came for professional former Vols this past NFL season when a league-high number of six players from the same University made the Pro Bowl. Along with that feat, the football program has also had over 350 players make it to the professional level which puts them in the top 10 in the NCAA for that category. So far, two players are already in the Pro Football Hall of Fame with several more likely to come.
In conclusion, I have discussed four reasons why the University of Tennessee is one of the most historic football programs in the country: a reputation for winning, rich traditions, the intense fan base, and the ability to generate high quality NFL players. Each of these reasons show important parts to the success of the Tennessee Volunteers football team. Whether you are already a Volunteer fan, a fan of another team, or perhaps you don't even like football, you can't deny what this historic college football team has built. Thank you and Go Vols!
