University of Tennessee Athletics
#CheckerNeyland Executed To Perfection
October 04, 2014 | Football
By Brian Rice
UTSports.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- As impressive as the idea to Checker Neyland looked on a computer screen, it was even more remarkable in person. The Tennessee fans did their part to take the idea from social media concept to a coordinated revolution that took over Neyland Stadium on Saturday.
Tennessee fans created one of the most unique and impressive seating area displays in college football with a campaign that started on Twitter and moved to traditional media as the week went on. Fans diligently checked the website and seating charts that laid out the plan for the alternating orange and white sections throughout the stadium.
"The Checkerboard Neyland was outstanding," head coach Butch Jones said of the effort and how it highlighted the fan support at Tennessee. "I think it was a great illustration."
Fans did it on their own, no shirts were provided in the stadium. Discussion in the community throughout the week often started with fans asking "What color is your section?" It was a question that fans continued to ask each other outside Neyland Stadium prior to kickoff.
Once the gates opened two hours before kickoff, any doubt of whether the effort would be successful was quickly erased. Sections were clearly identifiable from the beginning. As Noon approached, it became quickly apparent that the effort was not just going to be a success, it was going to be impressive beyond even the most optimistic expectations.
The players took notice as the stands filled up with orange and white sections during pregame warm-ups. The stands filled with 102,455 fans making a picture as prefect as the Photoshopped concept that launched the idea brought an extra level of juice as the Vols took the field.
"It's exciting," defensive back Cameron Sutton said. "Our fans are uplifting, we know they're always going to be there for us, win or lose. When you run through the T and see the fans in the checkerboard, it brings excitement for the game and makes you want to play for them, as well as your teammates."
The effort was not just in the wardrobe the fans brought to the game, it was the energy they projected as the game went on.
"Neyland was definitely rocking," linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin said. The checkerboard looked great. It was a great environment."
The energy and the environment had Jones excited for the future, despite the result.
"We're going to have great days, but we just got to keep grinding," said Jones. "I want to say thank you for coming out. We're going to need you next week. I promise you we're going to get it right. Why wouldn't you want to come to the University of Tennessee after that?"
