University of Tennessee Athletics
Named for Tennessee's longtime women's athletic director, the Joan Cronan Volleyball Center was dedicated on Oct. 24, 2014.
What's on this page?
- About Joan Cronan Volleyball Center
- About Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
- Volleyball in Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
- Previous Volleyball Facilities
- Directions to Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Joan Cronan Volleyball Center
- Address:
2321 Stephenson Drive
Knoxville, TN, 37916
Facilities Home
Volleyball Home
About the Joan Cronan Volleyball Center
Named for Tennessee's longtime women's athletic director, the Joan Cronan Volleyball Center was dedicated on Oct. 24, 2014. It is the first permanent home for Tennessee volleyball, which had previously shared practice space with the basketball and track and field programs.
The volleyball center houses three practice courts, locker and training room spaces, meeting rooms and a theater-style film room.
The offices for head coach Eve Rackham-Watt and her staff also are housed in the Joan Cronan Volleyball Center.
About Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Tennessee's volleyball team moved from Stokely Athletics Center to Thompson-Boling Arena for the 2008 season.
Named for B. Ray Thompson and retired University president Edward J. Boling, Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center is one of the largest on-campus arenas in the country and is located on the banks of the Tennessee River.
In 2008, the arena underwent an $18 million renovation, which included the addition of 32 luxury suites and a 166-seat loge area that provides a side-court view on the arena's north side. Also included in the renovations was the addition of a $3 million, center-hung scoreboard, all new black chairback seats and renovations to the continuous-ring concourse. Six concessions areas are located throughout the concourse, and 32 portals lead to the seating areas. From the playing level, tunnels provide access to team dressing rooms, media areas and storage rooms.
Thompson-Boling Arena opened during the 1987-88 basketball season. The volleyball team began playing in the arena in 2008 and has its own locker rooms in the facility.
Volleyball in Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
Following 10 seasons of play in Stokely Athletics Center, the UT squad began play in Thompson-Boling for the 2008 season. In its first season, the team posted a 11-3 record at home. Tennessee defeated Chattanooga 3-0 in its first match in Thompson-Boling Arena on Aug. 29, 2008.
Tennessee has enjoyed plenty of success nationally since moving into Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, reaching the NCAA Tournament in five of its first seven years in the building. TBA was host to history when Tennessee won its first outright SEC title in program history, beating 16th-ranked Kentucky 3-1 at home to win the conference crown in 2011.
Tennessee annually hosts a non-conference weekend tournament early in the season. It is currently called the Tennessee Volleyball Classic.
Previous Volleyball Facilities
Prior to playing matches at Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center, Tennessee competed at Stokely Athletics Center (1989; 1998-2007) and Alumni Gymnasium (1982-88; 1990-97). Stokely's largest volleyball crowd was 1,337 for a match against Florida on Oct. 22, 2004. Tennessee hosted the SEC Tournament four times before the event was discontinued after the 2005 season: 1981, 1984, 1999 and 2001. UT won the tournament at home in 1981 and 1984.
Directions to Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center
From McGhee Tyson Airport: Turn north on U.S. Highway 129 leaving airport. After crossing the Tennessee River bridge just outside of Knoxville, exit onto Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153). Turn left (south) at the bottom of the exit ramp and follow Neyland Drive until Food City Center is visible. Turn left onto campus at Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn right at the first stoplight, and follow Phillip Fulmer Way to a parking garage.
From I-40 east (from Nashville) and I-75 north (from Chattanooga): Follow I-40 and I-75 to I-40/I-75 junction in west Knoxville. Continue on I-40 East to U.S. Highway 129 South. Follow 129 South to the exit for Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153). Turn left (south) at the bottom of the exit ramp and follow Neyland Drive until Food City Center is visible. Turn left onto campus at Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn right at the first stoplight, and follow Phillip Fulmer Way to a parking garage.
From I-40 west (from Asheville, N.C.): Follow I-40 West to the James White Parkway exit and exit to the left. Follow James White Parkway to Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153) until Food City Center is visible. Turn right onto campus at Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn right at the first stoplight, and follow Phillip Fulmer Way to a parking garage.
From I-75 south (from Lexington, Ky.): Follow I-75 South to I-275 South just past Merchants Road. Follow I-275 to I-40 East. Take Exit I-40 East onto James White Parkway and follow it to Neyland Drive (Tennessee Highway 153) until Food City Center is visible. Turn right onto campus at Lake Loudoun Boulevard. Turn right at the first stoplight, and follow Phillip Fulmer Way to a parking garage.
