University of Tennessee Athletics
Annual Preseason Ski Party Brings Vols Closer
September 13, 2002 | Men's Swimming & Diving
Sept. 1, 2002
Tennessee's swimming and diving team held its annual water ski party Aug. 23 at Watts Bar Lake near Knoxville. The party has become a tradition under head coach John Trembley, who will be entering his 15th season as the Vols' head coach in 2002-03.
"We had an awesome day," said Trembley. "The party helps us come together as a team and a family atmosphere that we want to continue in our program."
The Vols spent the better part of the daylight hours waterskiing, wakeboarding, tubing, airchairing, boat riding and rope swinging. There were some challenges from getting up on skis for the first time to learning the double gainer off the wakeboard (which Coach Hendee finally mastered) to deep breath-holding dives to the depths of the lake. Evan Nylander won the contest going about 56 feet deep (plus or minus 30 feet).
After the skiing, the Vols had a great catered meal of fried chicken, green beans, mashed potatoes and strawberry shortcake. Of course, washed down by our favorite Southern sweet tea. When darkness fell, the team members lit the bonfire, assembled by the freshmen earlier in the day--also a tradition.
"They stayed around the fire for over five hours, " Trembley said. "Sharing, talking, and learning about each other and each other's dreams. This outing always brings our team closer together."
