University of Tennessee Athletics
Vols Open 2003 Season Third in NCAA Attendance
September 03, 2003 | Football
Sept. 3, 2003
| 2003 Official NCAA Attendance Week 1 | ||
| School | Attendance | Pct. Capacity |
| 1. Michigan | 110,637 | 102.92 |
| 2. Ohio State | 105,078 | 103.46 |
| 3. Tennessee | 103,860 | 99.79 |
| 4. Penn State | 101,553 | 95.32 |
| 5. Florida | 99,011 | 108.45 |
| 6. LSU | 89,148 | 97.32 |
Complete NCAA Attendance Report | ||
Dr. David Irvine, a Memphis opthamologist, became the first of seven lucky fans to be named "The Vol Fan of the Game" as part of the UT Athletics Department's "Year of the Volunteer Fan."
Irvine was selected at Gate 17 at 1:43 p.m. and was presented with a variety of gifts as part of the promotion. Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing Chip Bryant made the presentation underneath the west stands.
A 1982 UT grad in business who also graduated from the UT Medical School in Memphis, Irvine said he was "surprised and shocked" to be selected.
The grand prize winner will selected at the Vanderbilt game and receive a Sea Ray 185 Bow Rider, a Toyota Tundra truck courtesy of Volunteer Toyota Dealers, two season tickets to all UT athletic events for the 2004 season, $250 in gift certificates from each sponsor and the opportunity to run through the "T."
Since official NCAA records keeping began in 1946, a total of 24,457,150 fans have attended 358 contests during the 57-year period for an average of 68,316 per game. WIth six home games remaining this season, the Vols are 542,859 fans shy of reaching the 25 million mark.
Michigan drew 110,637 to its 2003 home opener last Saturday, followed by Ohio State at 105,078.
The Vols finished third nationally in attendance last year behind Michigan and Penn State, which drew 101,553 to its first game of 2003.
