University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee Presented Sweet Sixteen Rings
February 24, 2015 | Men's Basketball
Part of something special! The journey to get here is something I'll never forget! 🍊🏀 #Sweet16
A photo posted by Derek Reese (@dreeseut_3) on
Feb. 24, 2015
By Brian Rice
UTSports.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn.
-- Tennessee's run to the Sweet Sixteen in 2014 was one the most memorable and remarkable finishes to a season in the history of the Volunteer program.But once the season came to an end, there ended up being little time for a celebration. With the departure of head coach Cuonzo Martin, the accomplishments of the team were overshadowed by the search for a new head coach and the inevitable roster moves that come with a coaching change.
Today, the Volunteers were able to experience the celebration they never truly received as they were presented with rings to commemorate the 2013-14 season.
"My biggest regret was that those kids and coaches never got to celebrate that run," Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Dave Hart said. "We were nine seconds away from playing Kentucky to go to the Final Four. Because of the circumstances that unfolded, nobody ever really recognized what those kids did. They never got their just due, in my opinion."
Hart said he decided just after UT's season-ending game against Michigan that the department would honor the players and staff with rings. The circumstances that arose shortly after the season concluded strengthened his stance.
"I wanted them to have a tangible memento of what was a remarkable run through the NCAA Tournament and a terrific run through the end of the season to get to the NCAA Tournament," Hart said. "This is a way for them to have a lifetime reminder of what they accomplished."
UT began the process of ordering the rings last spring with the intention of presenting them to the returning players prior to the start of this season. An issue with the supplier's initial shipment pushed the timeline back.
Student-athletes and staff still on campus received their rings at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, prior to Tennessee's practice. Players and coaches no longer on campus will have their rings shipped directly to them.
Prior to placing the order, Hart met with current Vol Josh Richardson to inform him of the plan so he could share the news with his teammates. The excitement Richardson expressed in that meeting carried over to the presentation on Tuesday.
"I felt like this was the right thing to do," Hart said. "It took longer than we would have liked, but we're excited to give those rings today."
Thankful pic.twitter.com/nk6hsfVIia
-- Brandon Lopez (@BLopez_24) February 24, 2015
