Tennessee Traditions

So my new job is at the UT Undergraduate Admissions office. One thing the office does is put on campus tours for incoming freshmen, so the powers that be decided I should go on one of the tours. It was actually quite fun and interesting, and I learned a lot about some of UT's traditions. Its funny to think about, because each university does have its own way of doing things and its own lingo. I had gotten so used to BYU's ways that I didn't realize how different if would be elsewhere. So here are some of my favorite traditions, some of which were mentioned on the tour.

The Checkerboard Endzones
Anyone who has seen UT football highlights (sadly, you may not have seen too many this year) has noticed the distinct orange and white checker endzones. Well, there is actually a story behind them. The most distinct building on campus is the math building. It sits atop "The Hill" and is very recognizable. You can see in this picture that at the top of this building there is architectural detail that makes checkers out of white stone and red brick.

Well, back in the day, before more buildings were built and before Neyland Stadium was added onto for more seating, the football players could see the math building up on the hill when they were on the field. During practice, sprints, drills, whatever, the coaches would yell "Run to the checkerboard" meaning run in the direction of the building up on the hill. Well, the saying stuck and eventually they painted the endzones with the same checkerboard so the players would always "run to the checkerboard". Cute, huh?
Volunteer Nickname
Got this from the UT website: "Since the Revolutionary War, Tennesseans have been quick to volunteer for military duty. During the Mexican War, Gov. Aaron Brown issued a call requesting 2,800 volunteers for military service and 30,000 responded. A UT athletic team was dubbed the Volunteers for the first time in 1902 by the Atlanta Constitution following a Tennessee-Georgia Tech football game. The Knoxville Journal and Tribune did not use the name until 1905. By the fall of 1905 both the Journal and the Knoxville Sentinel were using the nickname. The name "Volunteers" is frequently shortened to "Vols" in describing Tennessee's athletic teams." So there you have it; Tennesseans volunteer a lot. My favorite thing about this nickname is how the use "Vol" in so many clever ways. The newly renovated business building is called 'Vol Street' (get it, like Wall Street) and they have 'Vol Night Parties' (get it, like All Night Party). They do that a lot, and it's so clever. Love that. Smokey the Mascot
In 1953 the campus Pep Club sponsored a contest to have a live mascot. Smokey, a blue-tick hound, was the last to be introduced at the half-time contest. When his name was called out, he barked. The students cheered and Smokey threw his head back and howled again and UT Knoxville had its new mascot. According to a lady I work with (in the thickest southern accent possible): "If you'd ever heard a blue-tick hound howl, you'd know why we picked him". The same family has been supplying UT with a line of blue-tick hounds since that time. Today’s mascot is Smokey IX. Smokey leads the Vols through the “T” prior to each home football game.
"Rocky Top"
This is the university song (and the state song, for that matter). "Rocky Top" was written by Felice and Boudleaux Bryant in 1967. The song did not become popular until after 1972 when the Pride of the Southland Band used it for one of their drills. The football crowd loved the tune and its words; the more the band played it, the more people wanted it. It has now become one of UT's best-known traditions. UT's band (to be mentioned later) has been asked to play at a bunch of presidential inaugurations and all over the world. No matter where they are, they are always asked to play Rocky Top. I originally thought the song was horribly annoying, but its grown on me. [Listen here]. The lyrics, however, are hilariously Tennessee-esque.

Rocky Top
by Boudleax and Felice Bryant

Wish that I was on ol' Rocky Top

Down in the Tennessee hills

Aint' no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top

Ain't no telephone bills

Once I had a girl on Rocky Top

Half bear, other half cat

Wild as a mink, but sweet as soda pop

I still dream about that.

Rocky Top you'll always be

Home sweet home to me

Good ol' Rocky Top

Rocky Top Tennessee,

Rocky Top Tennessee

Once two strangers climbed ol' Rocky Top

Lookin' for a moonshine still

Strangers ain't come down from Rocky Top

Reckon they never will

Rocky Top you'll always be

Home sweet home to me

Good ol' Rocky Top

Rocky Top Tennessee,

Rocky Top Tennessee

Corn won't grow at all on Rocky Top

Dirt's too rocky by far

That's why all the folks on Rocky Top

Get their corn from a jar
Rocky Top you'll always be

Home sweet home to me

Good ol' Rocky Top

Rocky Top Tennessee,

Rocky Top Tennessee

I've had years of cramped-up city life

Trapped like a duck in a pen

All I know is it's a pity life

Can't be simple again

Rocky Top you'll always be

Home sweet home to me

Good ol' Rocky Top

Rocky Top Tennessee,

Rocky Top Tennessee

Pride of the Southland Band
The University of Tennessee band was organized immediately after the Civil War when the university reopened. Since then, enrollment in the band program has grown to more than 400 students. The “Pride of the Southland” has represented the state of Tennessee for the last 40 years at 10 consecutive U.S. Presidential Inaugurations, from Dwight D. Eisenhower to George W. Bush. The band also has made more than 40 bowl appearances. The band is a big deal and they do a pre-game show that I hear is a real site to behold. I'm looking forward to that one.

The Rock
Unearthed in the 1960s, the Rock probably soon thereafter became a “canvas” for student messages. For years the university sandblasted away the messages but eventually deferred to students’ artistic endeavors. The Daily Beacon has editorialized: “Originally a smaller rock, The Rock has grown in prestige and size while thousands of coats of paint have been thrown on its jagged face. Really, its function is as an open forum for students.” Its amazing because the rock is literally painted several times a day. I drive by it twice a day, and its never the same. It was crazy though, because my first week here I was thinking this place wasn't too different from BYU. I drove by the rock and it read: "Had Sex? Get Checked" and a phone number. Wow, I wish I would have gotten a picture of that one. Ha ha.

So its been fun to get to know UT and some of its traditions. It crazy how important knowing that kind of stuff and make you feel all the more at home.