University of Tennessee Athletics
VOLS WRAP UP UAB PREPARATIONS ON COACH'S 55TH BIRTHDAY
September 01, 2005 | Football
Sept. 1, 2005
The University of Tennessee Athletics Department (UTAD) announced Wednesday plans for fundraising efforts in conjunction with the American Red Cross. Thursday, UT Athletics Director Mike Hamilton stepped up the commitment by issuing a challenge to fans.
"It's times like these when you realize there are things more important than college football, and we as fans and Volunteers need to do whatever we can to assist in the tragedy in the gulf coast area," Hamilton said. "I challenge our fans to join us in our fundraising efforts by making a donation at Circle Park before the game or on their way out of the game."
UTAD will donate $50,000 from concession sales at Saturday's game to Red Cross relief efforts.
Fans attending the UT-UAB can drop off a donation for the Red Cross' efforts at Circle Park from 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Several former Volunteer football players will be on hand to assist with collections. Volunteers from the Red Cross also will be outside key gate locations at Neyland Stadium from the fourth quarter until after the game to take donations.
Fans should give money only to volunteers wearing apparel that identifies them with the Red Cross.
Labor Day Monday, the football team holds the second annual "OrangeAid." For a donation to the Red Cross, fans have the opportunity to get autographs from select players and coaches at West Town Mall from 6-7 p.m. The team also will be selling t-shirts with the inscription "One Heartbeat" for $15 at the mall. All proceeds go to Red Cross relief efforts.
Last year, the team sponsored the first "OrangeAid," an autograph session with head coach Phillip Fulmer and 23 players at West Town Mall. The event raised more than $870 for hurricane relief efforts.
In coordination with Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen's offer of support to college students displaced by Hurricane Katrina, The University of Tennessee system is opening its doors to aid the students displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Students who have been displaced and wish to enroll at the University of Tennessee, should visit www.tennessee.edu for more information.
Finally, the UT Student Government Association (SGA) is coordinating fund raising efforts for the Red Cross this week. Volunteers are set up at the following locations from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.: Pedestrian Mall (near the Library), Presidential Courtyard, and University Center (back plaza).
VOLS WRAP UP UAB PREPARATIONS ON COACH'S 55TH BIRTHDAY
Tennessee staged its final full practice of the 2005 preseason Thursday with a 90-minute session at Haslam Field. The Vols' next step is onto the Neyland Stadium turf Saturday for the season opener against UAB.
Kickoff is set for 12:30 p.m. Eastern time.
"If you're not nervous before the first game, you're in the wrong business," said head coach Phillip Fulmer, who Thursday celebrated his 55th birthday. Saturday, the dean of Southeastern Conference coaches begins his 14th season as head coach.
UAB finished 7-5 last season and returns 16 starters to a squad that has been tabbed a championship contender in Conference USA.
"I can't say what people think of UAB but if you flip a tape on and watch them for a few minutes, you see a darn good football team," Fulmer said. "We shouldn't think anything different than that.
"It should help us that we're playing a good team."
INJURY UPDATE (UAB Week): Questionable -- DB Jonathan Wade (hip), TB Ja'Kouri Williams (knee); Doubtful -- DE Jared Hostetter (knee); Out -- C Richie Gandy (knee), C David Ligon (ankle), DB Jarod Parrish (knee); Out for Season -- QB Jonathan Crompton (shoulder), OL Cameron Mayo (knee), LB Rico McCoy (ankle).
EXTENDED MEDIA GUIDE RECORD PAGES AVAILABLE
Many Tennessee football fans were dismayed this summer when they received their copy of the 2005 Volunteers Football Media Guide and learned that many useful pages and sections were no longer included. New NCAA legislation has set a 208-page limit on media guides, but the pages that were left out of this year's hard copy are now available online at UTsports.com.
Just in time for Saturday's 2005 season-opener versus UAB, Big Orange fans can now access updated information ranging from Tennessee's inductees in the College Football Hall of Fame all the way to the Vols' record in televised games.
The following sections are available for download (.PDF) and can be viewed on our Media Guide section.:
- UT Football/Neyland Stadium History
- Lettermen by Hometown
- College Football/Tennessee Sports Halls of Fame
- Bowl Games
- Vols in NFL Draft
- SEC Record Holders
- National Polls
- Homecoming and NCAA Records
- Freshman and JV Results
- Vols on Television
- Team Awards
