Several Volunteer football alumni are scheduled to appear at a book signing in the UT Book and Supply Store on Friday.
The book, “What It Means To Be A Volunteer: Phillip Fulmer and Tennessee’s Greatest Players,” was compiled and edited by Ray Glier, former sportswriter for the Knoxville Journal who is now a freelance journalist, according to the Triumph Books Web site. Triumph Books published the book, which was released on Aug. 1, and organized the book signing at UT.
“What It Means to Be A Volunteer” features interviews and insights from Tennessee football legends, including Peyton Manning, Reggie White and Lester McClain.
Craig Colquitt (1975-77), Lester McClain (1968-70) and Harry Galbreath (1984-87) are scheduled to appear at the book signing. Colquitt, who subsequently earned two Super Bowl rings with the Pittsburgh Steelers, is the founding member of a family of four UT punters, including his son, current UT punter Britton Colquitt. McClain, who played as a wide receiver, was the first African-American to play in the Southeastern Conference. Galbreath, an offensive guard, continued his football career with the New York Jets, following his time at UT.
The book contains first-hand accounts from a number of UT players, from the 1940s to present, expressing their pride in being part of the Tennessee tradition, according to the Triumph Books Web site.
Colquitt said he was filled with pride and love for the Volunteer football program.
“Football is so unusual,” Colquitt said. “You know education is what education is, but when you combine the two, it’s entertainment. The pageantry of it, it’s so special. There’s a lot of jealousy out there in the general public about the Tennessee program. I’m proud of that. They think we’re barefoot and pregnant and have no teeth down here, and it’s kind of fun to rub it in on them that we actually know what we’re doing.”
Colquitt and his son Dustin, who is also a UT alumnus and now a punter for the Kansas City Chiefs, established a foundation at UT, endowing a football scholarship.
“It’s called First Family of Fourth Down,” Colquitt said. “It’s a single cash contribution that earns interest, and the interest goes to pay for the scholarship of a walk-on in football. That’s kind of our way of thanking the Vol family and coach Fulmer.”
Colquitt said the best answer of what it means to be a Volunteer, is that it’s like being part of a family.
The Tennessee tradition is evolving, following the resignation of head coach Phillip Fulmer on Nov. 3. In an excerpt from Fulmer’s foreword of “What It Means To Be A Volunteer,” Fulmer also emphasizes the personal relationships and family-based nature of Tennessee football.
“I’m not just passing through time,” Fulmer said in the foreword. “I’m not looking for the next job. This is my dream job, and this is my home.”
Colquitt said it was “a shame that Fulmer had to go out the way he did, as long as he’d been here.” Colquitt attributed Fulmer’s difficulties to the fact that Tennessee, with players from all over the nation, is “a very difficult school to recruit to.” Tennessee’s next coach will have the same problems, Colquitt said.
The Tennessee football tradition draws criticism but thousands of passionate fans as well. Steve Newman, sales and marketing assistant for Triumph Books, said the publishing agency organized this book signing, one in a series of events, to allow fans to “get together, have fun and get some autographs.”
“It’s a chance to let the fans come out and meet some of the players who have played for the Volunteers throughout the years,” Newman said.
The “What It Means To Be A Volunteer” book signing will be held in the general merchandise department of the UT Book and Supply Store on Friday from 3 to 5 p.m.
