Tag: Phillip Fulmer

Big Orange Connect set for June 3

Big Orange Connect set for June 3.

KNOXVILLE – The University of Tennessee athletics will host its first ever “Big Orange Connect” on June 3.

The virtual Volunteer fan appreciation event will begin at 6:30 p.m. ET and will feature University of Tennessee head coaches and administration.

Volunteer fans can watch the event live and for free on the University of Tennessee athletics’ official Facebook page.

The event will be hosted by “The Voice of the Vols,” Bob Kesling. Headlined guests are scheduled to include UT Chancellor Donde Plowman, Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer, football head coach Jeremy Pruitt, men’s basketball head coach Rick Barnes and women’s basketball head coach Kellie Harper.

Phillip Fulmer releases statement ‘for return of student-athletes to campus’

Phillip Fulmer releases statement for return of student-athletes to campus.

KNOXVILLE – The Southeastern Conference announced Friday that voluntary, in-person athletics activities on league campuses can resume June 8.

Each SEC institution will have the ability to make decisions regarding when and how student-athletes may return.

“We are prepared and excited for the return of student-athletes to campus,” Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer said in a UT press release. “Health and safety have been our top priority as we’ve gone about this planning process, and we’ll continue to follow guidance from medical experts and health officials as we navigate the coming weeks.

“Our staff and student-athletes should be prepared for a ‘new normal,’ as we’ll be implementing changes to how everyone accesses and uses our facilities. We plan to be extremely diligent in maintaining a healthy environment for our student-athletes, coaches and support staffs. In the coming days, we’ll execute procedures enabling student-athletes to return, with members of our football program being the first to arrive. We will conduct screening leading up to the resumption of activities on June 8.

“I continue to appreciate the guidance of the SEC’s medical taskforce as well as the outstanding leadership of Commissioner Sankey and our chancellors and presidents throughout the SEC.”

Tennessee offers 2022 California offensive lineman

Tennessee offers 2022 California offensive lineman.

As Tennessee continues to build towards the 2022 recruiting class, offensive lineman Kenji Swanson from Chatsworth, California was one of the latest to receive an offer from the Vols.

Swanson is very early on in his recruitment, with offers from Auburn, Oregon and USC thus far. He is a 3-star prospect according to 247Sports, and rated the No. 36 offensive tackle in his class.

It is Swanson’s size that has caught the eye of Power 5 programs. The 6-foot-6, 307-pound rising junior at Sierra Canyon High School still has half of his high school career left to play. Tennessee offensive line coach Will Friend is Swanson’s primary recruiter.

NEXT: Vols’ 2021 football commitment tracker

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UT announces ‘no decisions about fall athletics have been made’

UT announces no decisions about fall athletics have been made.

KNOXVILLE – University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Chancellor Donde Plowman announced on Wednesday a decision to bring students back on campus this fall.

The announcement comes within the coronavirus pandemic that forced UT students to finish the spring semester taking online classes.

On Thursday, UT said that a plan in place for students returning to campus this fall does not reflect in having athletics taking place.

“No decisions about fall athletics have been made,” the University of Tennessee announced Thursday. “Those decisions will be made at the appropriate time by the SEC, in consultation with healthcare professionals. Chancellor Plowman and AD Fulmer are in regular contact with the SEC.”

Phillip Fulmer reads bedtime story to KCS students

Phillip Fulmer reads bedtime story to KCS students.

KNOXVILLE — Sports may be over at the University of Tennessee, but athletic director Phillip Fulmer is not taking much time off.

Early last week, the former Tennessee football player and national championship coach, partnered up with Vols’ mascot, Smokey, to read to Knox County Schools students a bedtime story on April 28.

Fulmer read the story, alongside Smokey, that chronicles the blue tick hound’s vacation where he journeyed throughout the Volunteer State to see and visit Vols fans before football season.

Smokey’s vacation stops took him to Neyland Stadium, the Sunsphere and Zoo Knoxville and then on to Dollywood and to the Bristol Motor Speedway.

The mascot also made stops to Chattanooga, Murfreesboro, Nashville and Graceland in Memphis.

Phillip Fulmer on pandemic: ‘Our lives have changed and been interrupted like never before’

Phillip Fulmer discusses the coronavirus pandemic.

KNOXVILLE — The University of Tennessee is currently on spring break until March 20.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, UT announced that classes will continue online through the end of the spring semester and will have alternate graduation plans.

Having students take online classes for the remainder of the semester coincides with the CDC issuing guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic to avoid mass gatherings.

The Southeastern Conference has also taken action to halt all organized team activities, competitions, team and individual practices, meetings and other organized gatherings through at least April 15.

“Our lives have changed and been interrupted like never before,” Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer said on “Vol Calls” Monday night. “You think of the young people that have prepared and worked so hard for these opportunities, it has been really, really tough from that standpoint.”

Fulmer said he is thankful for UT’s leadership, starting with Chancellor Donde Plowman, during trying times.

“I am very thankful for her leadership and president (UT President Randy) Boyd and our governor (Bill Lee),” Fulmer said. “My staff has done a tremendous job.”

Fulmer also thanked SEC commissioner Greg Sankey and other league athletic directors for their leadership during the coronavirus pandemic.

“Greg Sankey has been a great leader through all of this and the SEC athletic directors working together,” he said. “I haven’t been here that long, but almost unprecedented agreement of how we are working together and battling through this health crisis.”

Phillip Fulmer says UT will be ‘part of solution and not part of problem’ during pandemic

Tennessee athletics are on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic.

KNOXVILLE — Tennessee athletics are on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The Southeastern Conference has announced that all organized team activities, competitions, team and individual practices, meetings and other organized gatherings, will be suspended through at least April 15.

The University of Tennessee has spring break scheduled for March 16-20. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, UT announced that classes will continue online through the end of the spring semester and will have alternate graduation plans.

On “Vol Calls” Monday night, Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer discussed the pandemic and assured a plan is in place if student-athletes are needing to return to UT following spring break.

“The ones that need to come back to campus for some reason will come back to campus,” Fulmer said. “That is the young people that might not have the best of home situation, some of our international people. We are likely going to encourage people to stay home and take their classes online. If they come back, we will support them from a nutrition standpoint and from the medical standpoint and from a mental health standpoint, those are obvious needs that will be taken care of.”

Fulmer advised that UT will not hold workouts, meetings or practices for student-athletes during the pandemic.

“We will not be having workouts,” he said. “We will not be having meetings and certainly there will be no practices until further notice. The gathering of people together spreads this virus and we are going to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.”

Coronavirus pandemic: ‘Vol fans can be great if they join in effort to control COVID-19’

The coronavirus pandemic.

KNOXVILLE — The CDC issued new guidelines March 15 regarding measurements that should be taken during the coronavirus pandemic.

New measurements include precautions surrounding mass gatherings.

CDC Guidance as of 3/15/2020

Large events and mass gatherings can contribute to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States via travelers who attend these events and introduce the virus to new communities. Examples of large events and mass gatherings include conferences, festivals, parades, concerts, sporting events, weddings, and other types of assemblies. These events can be planned not only by organizations and communities but also by individuals.

Therefore, CDC, in accordance with its guidance for large events and mass gatherings, recommends that for the next 8 weeks, organizers (whether groups or individuals) cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.

Dr. Kathleen C. Brown of the University of Tennessee’s College of Education, Health and Human Sciences spent eight years working for the Knox County Health Department, initially as the regional epidemiologist, and then as the Director of Community Assessment and Health Promotion.

Dr. Brown discussed the coronavirus pandemic with Vols Wire and the uncertainty with COVID-19.

“It is impossible to predict anything right now,” she said of the coronavirus pandemic. “The degree of disruption is also unpredictable. I think everyone hopes we will return to whatever the new normal will be by June, but again, as we are in the early stages of the illness here much is still unknown.

“The hope is that if everyone complies with the recommendations for social distancing as much as possible, given that people still have to work (we need stores open, trash picked-up, healthcare workers on duty, law enforcement in place, etc.), we may reduce the acute impact i.e. the spike in the epidemiological curve. This will serve to reduce the impact on systems that will get stressed and overwhelmed.”

Tennessee spring football

Part of the affected by the coronavirus pandemic is UT spring football that kicked off March 10.

The Southeastern Conference has since announced that all organized team activities, competitions, team and individual practices, meetings and other organized gatherings, will be suspended through April 15.

Spring football practices are now in jeopardy for an April 15 return date due to the CDC’s recommendation over the next eight weeks for organizers (whether groups or individuals) to cancel or postpone in-person events that consist of 50 people or more throughout the United States.

On March 13, Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer released a statement regarding the University of Tennessee and the coronavirus pandemic.

“I am heartbroken for our student-athletes who have poured their heart and soul into their training and now find themselves in a season of uncertainty,” Fulmer said. “There are many lingering questions related to academics, eligibility, training schedules, housing and various other internal operations for which we do not yet have answers. But I am focused on actively engaging in the dialogue that is to come as we work to support our young men and women—highlighting their physical, mental and emotional wellness—to help them move forward.

“To our incredible fans, donors and alumni—I understand the frustration that comes along with canceled events, ticket refunds and many lost opportunities to celebrate Tennessee wins and championships. But I’m confident that these circumstances will stir the passion of the world’s most extraordinary fanbase, and that your love for the Vols and Lady Vols will shine through like never before when the action eventually resumes.”

In order for life to return to normalcy, Brown stresses an importance for everyone to abide guidelines issued by the CDC and government officials.

“Vol fans can be great fans if they join in the effort to control COVID-19 and accept that we are in very different circumstances than a few months ago,” she said.

Tennessee returning to the practice field or taking part in the annual Chevrolet Orange & White game by at least a May 15 date is anything but certain at this point.

“A May 15 date, I wish I had that crystal ball,” Brown said. “When the unknowns outweigh the knowns, the best answer is it depends.”

Phillip Fulmer releases statement during coronavirus pandemic

Phillip Fulmer releases statement during coronavirus pandemic.

KNOXVILLE — The coronavirus pandemic has caused sporting events to be canceled, postponed or placed on pause throughout sports across the world.

The Southeastern Conference announced Friday that all organized team activities, competitions, team and individual practices, meetings and other organized gatherings, will be suspended through April 15.

Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer released a statement regarding the University of Tennessee and the coronavirus pandemic.

Phillip Fulmer’s statement issued through a UT press release:

“The past several days have been filled with uncertainty and have presented unique and challenging circumstances. A growing public health crisis has led to difficult but necessary decisions. I personally am grateful for the courageous leadership of Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey, UT Chancellor Plowman and the rest of our conference presidents, chancellors and ADs. Dialogue is ongoing. We are all in uncharted territory, and there is no manual to guide our decision making. However, we must continue to act with abundant caution while prioritizing health and safety throughout our campuses and communities.

“I am heartbroken for our student-athletes who have poured their heart and soul into their training and now find themselves in a season of uncertainty. There are many lingering questions related to academics, eligibility, training schedules, housing and various other internal operations for which we do not yet have answers. But I am focused on actively engaging in the dialogue that is to come as we work to support our young men and women—highlighting their physical, mental and emotional wellness—to help them move forward.

“To our incredible fans, donors and alumni—I understand the frustration that comes along with canceled events, ticket refunds and many lost opportunities to celebrate Tennessee wins and championships. But I’m confident that these circumstances will stir the passion of the world’s most extraordinary fanbase, and that your love for the Vols and Lady Vols will shine through like never before when the action eventually resumes.

“Please take care of yourselves and each other as we navigate the days to come together, prioritizing the greater good.”

UT, Volunteer State pro teams respond to Nashville tornado

A tornado touched down in Nashville early Tuesday morning.

The University of Tennessee and professional sports franchises in the Volunteer State have sent their condolences to the city of Nashville following a tornado going through the Music City.

A tornado touched down in Nashville in the early morning hours Tuesday, leaving behind deaths, injuries and destruction.

News: Nashville Tornado
Mar 3, 2020; Nashville, TN, USA; Tornado damage in East Nashville photographed Tuesday, March 3, 2020. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner/The Tennessean via USA TODAY NETWORK

“Our thoughts and prayers are with those in Middle Tennessee affected by the storms last night!,” Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt Tweeted. “We’re thinking of you.”

University of Tennessee Director of Athletics Phillip Fulmer also took to Twitter and offered his prayers in support of the Nashville area.

“Prayers for everyone in Nashville area this morning as they dig out from the storm’s last night,” Fulmer Tweeted.