University of Tennessee Athletics
Longtime Aide Named Asst. Equipment Mgr.
September 17, 2007 | Football
Recognize the name Allen Sitzler?
Those familiar with the Tennessee Volunteers football program have seen the Cleveland native in and around UT???s Neyland-Thompson Sports Center for the better part of a decade. But Sitzler -- more easily identified by the nickname ???Hawk??? -- now is here to stay and doesn???t care what you call him.
Just know he is the newest official member of Roger Frazier???s staff as assistant equipment manager.
???I???m pretty excited and fortunate to be here,??? Sitzler said. ???It???s kind of a dream to work at UT. I grew up a Tennessee fan, going to the games, and now I have the opportunity to be a major piece of the puzzle.???
That responsibility includes managing the daily operation of the equipment room, from practice to scheduling, supervision of the student managers as well as ordering and maintaining the team???s Adidas gear and football equipment.
Sitzler, 32 next week, graduated from Cleveland High School and then Cleveland State Community College, playing baseball and basketball at both stops, before arriving at UT. He earned his undergraduate degree in communications, with a minor in sport management, and then completed his master???s in sport administration.
During that time, Sitzler served as a student manager from 1996-2000, including the last two years as head student manager, before climbing aboard Frazier???s staff in the part-time role.
???It???s been a long time coming and I couldn???t be happier,??? Frazier said. ???I???m extremely grateful to the administration, because you won???t find a more loyal person than Hawk.
???Whether you???re talking about to this university or to me personally, he is somebody you can trust. It???s a great hire because he???s somebody who always puts the University of Tennessee first.???
And the nickname?
???During my first year as a student manager, Robin White was our head student and he said I needed a nickname,??? Sitzler said. ???He showed up the next day and it was ???Chicken Hawk,??? like the Foghorn Leghorn cartoon character.
???And though it???s been condensed to ???Hawk??? over the years, the name just stuck.???
Kind of like Sitzler, who always has been recognized as a true Volunteer. Only now it???s official.
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| ??Phillip Fulmer |
1. Describe the problems created when a team has to settle for field goals on its scoring opportunities, as happened at Florida.
A - "We were down there close and needed to come out with seven points. In the past, we have generally managed to score touchdowns in those situations. It's something we will address this week."
2. As Britton Colquitt returns to 100 percent physically, comment on the way Daniel Lincoln and Chad Cunningham stepped up for the Vols.
A - "That was important. Lincoln was ready to replace Colquitt when Colquitt suffered the injury. Daniel hasn't missed a field goal or extra point. Cunningham's punts have been good, too, so it was vital they were able to step up when they were needed."
3. Three games into the season, how do you look at Tennessee's chances for contention in the race for the SEC Eastern Division title?
A - "There is a lot of football to be played. Every year our goal is to win the championship. There is no reason to panic. We certainly must play better, however, in order to contend."
4. What will be the primary focus for the Vols this week as they try to bounce back against Arkansas State?
A - "They are a good team, taking Texas to a 21-13 decision. We'll have to do a good job of managing their pressure on defense. Offensively, they have a very skilled quarterback. Again, they are a good team, and we will have to play well Saturday night."??
5. Comment on the potential of Arkansas State, which shapes up as a formidable opponent Saturday night at Neyland Stadium.
A - "Kicking-wise, they are very competent. They have a lot of skilled players. It's good we will have a senior quarterback to handle the things Arkansas State will try to throw at us defensively. We are meeting a solid Arkansas State team Saturday night."
INJURY UPDATE (Arkansas State Week) -- Probable: DE Wes Brown (shoulder), TB Montario Hardesty (ankle), LB Ryan Karl (ankle), OT Eric Young (ankle); Doubtful ??? DE Andre Mathis (shoulder); Out ??? WR Gerald Jones (hamstring).
TICKETS REMAIN FOR THREE UT HOME GAMES, INCLUDING SATURDAY
It???s not too late to purchase a few last-minute tickets to Saturday night???s second home game of the year, this one a 7 p.m. kickoff against Arkansas State. VideoSeat pay-per-view is handling the telecast, but fans wanting the full Neyland Stadium experience can purchase $40 tickets through the UTsports.com Web site, by phone or in person at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Prices also are $40 for future home games against Louisiana-Lafayette, serving as the Nov. 3 Homecoming opponent, and Vanderbilt on Nov. 17. Tickets in the Vols??? cheering section for road games against Mississippi State (Oct. 13, $40) and Kentucky (Nov. 24, $30) are available as well.
Ticket office hours are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. each business day.
