This is a what if question

[cwbytruckers]

First off this isn't a question to debate Knoxville or Nashville is better or worse. This is an honest question about what if UT was in Nashville and Vanderbilt was in Knoxville.

Would UT being in Nashville have made a difference through the years in not only Football but other sports in recruiting? We have lost a lot of talented players from the middle part of the state through the years that chose out of state schools. I love the small town family feel of Knoxville. But would the big city of Nashville help bring in talent that otherwise chooses to go elsewhere? And would being in the middle of the state help recruiting in Memphis because it would be closer? And I know you can say it doesn't help Vanderbilt but you have to consider the academic requirements that all players must face to get eligible there. And this isnt about the current state of the program and current sports teams. Its about would it have helped throughout the past years in landing players we lost.

So all I ask is don't make this about the two schools or the actual cities. Its just an honest question about the location and the size of the two cities does it make a difference.

 

[carpbc]

First off this isn't a question to debate Knoxville or Nashville is better or worse. This is an honest question about what if UT was in Nashville and Vanderbilt was in Knoxville.

Would UT being in Nashville have made a difference through the years in not only Football but other sports in recruiting? We have lost a lot of talented players from the middle part of the state through the years that chose out of state schools. I love the small town family feel of Knoxville. But would the big city of Nashville help bring in talent that otherwise chooses to go elsewhere? And would being in the middle of the state help recruiting in Memphis because it would be closer? And I know you can say it doesn't help Vanderbilt but you have to consider the academic requirements that all players must face to get eligible there. And this isnt about the current state of the program and current sports teams. Its about would it have helped throughout the past years in landing players we lost.

So all I ask is don't make this about the two schools or the actual cities. Its just an honest question about the location and the size of the two cities does it make a difference.

I grew up in Buck's Pocket, TN which is on the TN/GA state line just off GA HWY 225. The closest town was Cleveland, which I considered to be the closest "city" (about thirty minutes away); Chattanooga (one hour away) was the nearest large city; Knoxville (about two-and-one-half hours away); and Nashville (about four hours away). Thus, I always considered Knoxville to be the largest city I would ever want to live in. If UT were located in Nashville, I would probably opted for UT-Chattanooga due to Chattanooga having far less traffic and other distractions than Nashville. Knoxville is far more "homey" and inviting than Nashville ever could be. While stationed at Fort Campbell, KY, I drove through Nashville far too many times whenever on pass or leave to ever have any desire whatsoever to live there... the traffic is so congested throughout the city. Compared to Nashville, driving in Knoxville is a cakewalk... and a person can get anything he may need or want in Knoxville (including some great country music venues). Other people may choose Nashville, and I certainly respect that. All that being said... GO VOLS...

 

[cwbytruckers]

I grew up in Buck's Pocket, TN which is on the TN/GA state line just off GA HWY 225. The closest town was Cleveland, which I considered to be the closest "city" (about thirty minutes away); Chattanooga (one hour away) was the nearest large city; Knoxville (about two-and-one-half hours away); and Nashville (about four hours away). Thus, I always considered Knoxville to be the largest city I would ever want to live in. If UT were located in Nashville, I would probably opted for UT-Chattanooga due to Chattanooga having far less traffic and other distractions than Nashville. Knoxville is far more "homey" and inviting than Nashville ever could be. While stationed at Fort Campbell, KY, I drove through Nashville far too many times whenever on pass or leave to ever have any desire whatsoever to live there... the traffic is so congested throughout the city. Compared to Nashville, driving in Knoxville is a cakewalk... and a person can get anything he may need or want in Knoxville (including some great country music venues). Other people may choose Nashville, and I certainly respect that. All that being said... GO VOLS...

I understand all your points. But its still not what im asking. Would it have made a bigger impact with recruits in the midstate or even Western part of the state we lost out on?

And i guess on another note would it have made UT a more desirable location for big name coaches when we were trying to land a replacement?

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

First off this isn't a question to debate Knoxville or Nashville is better or worse. This is an honest question about what if UT was in Nashville and Vanderbilt was in Knoxville.

Would UT being in Nashville have made a difference through the years in not only Football but other sports in recruiting? We have lost a lot of talented players from the middle part of the state through the years that chose out of state schools. I love the small town family feel of Knoxville. But would the big city of Nashville help bring in talent that otherwise chooses to go elsewhere? And would being in the middle of the state help recruiting in Memphis because it would be closer? And I know you can say it doesn't help Vanderbilt but you have to consider the academic requirements that all players must face to get eligible there. And this isnt about the current state of the program and current sports teams. Its about would it have helped throughout the past years in landing players we lost.

So all I ask is don't make this about the two schools or the actual cities. Its just an honest question about the location and the size of the two cities does it make a difference.

Tuscaloosa is small, essentially a college town.
Athens is small, essentially a college town.
College Station (aTm) is small, a college town.

They recruit pretty well in the SEC. So, no.

 

[Volosaurus rex]

This is somewhat tangential to your question, but Nashville and middle Tennessee, with the region's population growth, are producing significantly more and higher quality college football prospects than they did, say, 15-20 years ago. In that context, it might theoretically help if UT was located in Nashville. However, many of those people are transplants from other states with no preexisting loyalties to the University of Tennessee, so even that factor is really of negligible significance.

 

[YankeeVol]

I grew up in Buck's Pocket, TN which is on the TN/GA state line just off GA HWY 225. The closest town was Cleveland, which I considered to be the closest "city" (about thirty minutes away); Chattanooga (one hour away) was the nearest large city; Knoxville (about two-and-one-half hours away); and Nashville (about four hours away). Thus, I always considered Knoxville to be the largest city I would ever want to live in. If UT were located in Nashville, I would probably opted for UT-Chattanooga due to Chattanooga having far less traffic and other distractions than Nashville. Knoxville is far more "homey" and inviting than Nashville ever could be. While stationed at Fort Campbell, KY, I drove through Nashville far too many times whenever on pass or leave to ever have any desire whatsoever to live there... the traffic is so congested throughout the city. Compared to Nashville, driving in Knoxville is a cakewalk... and a person can get anything he may need or want in Knoxville (including some great country music venues). Other people may choose Nashville, and I certainly respect that. All that being said... GO VOLS...

I second this notion. Hence why I ended up in GA (somewhat unfortunately).

But to the question, I think Knoxville worked out better. It's closer to states that are recruiting "hot beds." While busy, it's far less s****y than Nashville. You can also get to the mountains or beaches much quicker than Nashville as well (may not matter much to college kids).

 

[cwbytruckers]

This is somewhat tangential to your question, but Nashville and middle Tennessee, with the region's population growth, are producing significantly more and higher quality college football prospects than they did, say, 15-20 years ago. In that context, it might theoretically help if UT was located in Nashville. However, many of those people are transplants from other states with no preexisting loyalties to the University of Tennessee, so even that factor is really of negligible significance.

Thats a very good point

 

[Volosaurus rex]

I second this notion. Hence why I ended up in GA (somewhat unfortunately).

But to the question, I think Knoxville worked out better. It's closer to states that are recruiting "hot beds." While busy, it's far less s****y than Nashville. You can also get to the mountains or beaches much quicker than Nashville as well (may not matter much to college kids).

Knoxville definitely puts you within the epicenter of a 250-mile radius that extends into the Carolinas and the greater Atlanta area. During Fulmer's heyday, we got our fair share of elite prospects from the Carolinas. Additionally, Knoxville is still conveniently located in relation to Nashville and middle Tennessee. When I attended UT for grad school, it was exactly 182 miles from the onramp to I-40 in Nashville to the University of Tennessee exit (no. 386).

 

[vols40]

Tuscaloosa is small, essentially a college town.
Athens is small, essentially a college town.
College Station (aTm) is small, a college town.

They recruit pretty well in the SEC. So, no.

Hire competent coaches and win. That's the recipe

 

[UTwick]

There’s only 1 Rocky Top.

 

[Jdw2920]

Your

I grew up in Buck's Pocket, TN which is on the TN/GA state line just off GA HWY 225. The closest town was Cleveland, which I considered to be the closest "city" (about thirty minutes away); Chattanooga (one hour away) was the nearest large city; Knoxville (about two-and-one-half hours away); and Nashville (about four hours away). Thus, I always considered Knoxville to be the largest city I would ever want to live in. If UT were located in Nashville, I would probably opted for UT-Chattanooga due to Chattanooga having far less traffic and other distractions than Nashville. Knoxville is far more "homey" and inviting than Nashville ever could be. While stationed at Fort Campbell, KY, I drove through Nashville far too many times whenever on pass or leave to ever have any desire whatsoever to live there... the traffic is so congested throughout the city. Compared to Nashville, driving in Knoxville is a cakewalk... and a person can get anything he may need or want in Knoxville (including some great country music venues). Other people may choose Nashville, and I certainly respect that. All that being said... GO VOLS...

Your around my area my family grew up around that area good ole Polk co tn.