You’ve bought your orange wardrobe and you learned all the cheers. But before you trek to Neyland Stadium, get acquainted with Tennessee’s game day traditions.
Vol Walk
It’s UT’s pep rally – kind of. Two hours before every home game, Volunteer fans line up by the thousands from the top of Circle Park all the way to Gate 21 to cheer on their favorite players on their way to the game. An hour later, the Pride of the Southland Marching band pumps up the crowd with “Rocky Top” as they march down Volunteer Boulevard to Neyland Stadium.
Tailgating, Sailgating and the Vol Navy
Tennessee was named the No. 1 tailgating school in a 2014 Bleacher Report article, partially because of its proximity to the Tennessee River. Sometimes referred to as “sailgating,” the Vol Navy is made up of boat-owning fans that avoid the Knoxville traffic by floating down the Tennessee River to the stadium. For those of you on dry land, Circle Park and the Strip are prime spots for grillin’ and chillin’ while you wait for kickoff.
Running through the Power T
Former head coach Doug Dickey began the tradition of the Vols running though the T in the 1965 season opener against the Army. Prior to 1965, the Vols entered the field at the 50-yard line where the locker room was located. When the Vols’ new locker room was moved to the north side of the stadium in 1983, the Vols running though the “T” formed by the Pride became a staple of the opening performance by the band. Dickey also put the “Power T” on the football helmets and had the endzones be painted in an orange and white checkerboard pattern.
Smokey
In 1953, the Pep Club held a contest to select Tennessee’s new mascot. A bluetick coonhound, a native breed of Tennessee, named “Brooks’ Blue Smokey,” was chosen by crowd applause at the half time of the Mississippi State Game during the 1953 season. The current mascot, Smokey X, began his reign in 2013.
Pride of the Southland Marching Band
Organized immediately after the Civil War when the University reopened, the Pride of the Southland Band has maintained its long-standing reputation as one of the finest musical organizations in the United States. The full Pride of the Southland Marching Band appears at every home football game and most away games, and is most well known for forming the “T” the Vols run though before the first kick. The Pride has represented Tennessee at 10 consecutive Presidential inaugurations, from Dwight D. Eisenhower to George W. Bush and has made more than 40 bowl appearances.
Rocky Top
The sound of football season is none other than “Rocky Top.” The song was first performed as part of the halftime country music show at the Alabama game in 1972. Then-band director W.J. Julian said not playing the song would spark mutiny among Vol fans because the tune was so popular. In 1982, Chapter 545 of the Public Acts adopted “Rocky Top” as an official song for the state of Tennessee.
