University of Tennessee - Knoxville Fans!

Tennessee's football team became founded in 1891. The Volunteers (or Vols as it is commonly shortened to) get their nickname from the State of Tennessee's nickname. Tennessee is known as the "Volunteer State," a nickname it earned during the War of 1812, in which volunteer soldiers from Tennessee played a prominent role, especially during the Battle of New Orleans. Get a heaping of more fun facts on this spirited University by reading on.

How to be a great fan

• Sport your Orange and White, that includes gear such as cell phone cases, iphone cases and messenger bags.
• Come to Know and Love the fan favorite "Rocky Top".
• Celebrate Torch Night.
• Voice your opinions and thoughts on "The Rock".

Traditions and History

Before each home game, the Vols will file out of Stokely Athletic Center, down past the Tennessee Volunteers Wall of Fame, and make their way down Peyton Manning Pass and onto Phillip Fulmer Way. Thousands of fans line the street to shake the players' hands as they walk into Neyland Stadium. Through rain, snow, sleet, or shine, the Vol faithful are always out in full force to root on the Vols as they prepare for battle.

Orange and White

The Orange and White colors worn by the football team were selected by Charles Moore, a member of the very first football squad in 1891. They were from the American Daisy which grew on The Hill, the home of most of the classrooms at the university.

The Orange is distinct to the school, and has been offered by The Home Depot for sale as a paint, licensed by the university. The home games at Neyland Stadium have been described as a "Sea of Orange" due to the large number of fans wearing the school color.

Checkerboard End Zones

Checkboard Orange and White end zones are unique to Neyland Stadium. Tennessee first sported the famous checkerboard design in the mid sixties. They brought the design back in 1989.

Smokey

Smokey is the mascot of the University of Tennessee sports teams. He is a live blue tick hound mascot, Smokey IX, which leads the Vols on the field for football games. There is also a costumed mascot that appears at every Vols game, and has won several mascot championships. Smokey was selected as the mascot for Tennessee after a student poll in 1953. Their desire was to select a coon hound that was native to Tennessee.