University of Tennessee Athletics
Tennessee SAAC Hosts Annual VOLoween
October 27, 2022 | General
Making its highly-anticipated return after a two-year break, the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) with the help of Student-Athlete Development hosted the annual VOLoween celebration on Monday, Oct. 24.
In its 10th year of existence, the indoor practice football field at the Anderson Training Center was opened up to the Knoxville community for a Halloween celebration. Children and families of University of Tennessee faculty and staff enjoyed a night of dressing up, trick or treating and interactive activities hosted by student-athletes representing each team on campus.
"The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee puts this together because these teams want to give back to the campus community that gives so much to them," Executive Director for Student-Athlete Development Jessica Wildfire said. "It's to say thank you for supporting the student-athletes and their programs in each of their academic and athletic endeavors.
"Being a Tennessee Volunteer is something really special and unique and we really try to instill the Volunteer Spirit in our student-athletes in the way of stepping outside of themselves. Nights like this where they can show their appreciation is something that everyone here looks forward to."
The field in Anderson Training Center transformed into a funhouse with each team creating their own spooky station. Some were even related to the sport that they play. The men's golf team had a putting station set up, while the men's swimming team maintained the consistently-favored dunk tank.
Student-athletes passed out candy to children dressed as Pride of the Southland Band members, Peyton Manning, Smokey, baseball players and various non-UT related costumes. Sophomore SAAC member and softball player Rylie West's favorites were the princesses.
"When I was younger that was my go-to," West said. "I saw Anna and Elsa earlier, and I thought it was so cute."
West's team came up with the witch hat ring toss for their activity.
While all in attendance had fun observing the costumes, picking up candy and participating in the events, what West enjoyed the most was the opportunity to give back to the people that are so supportive of Tennessee Athletics.
"I think a lot of the time we take for granted how much support we have in the Knoxville community and the UT community," West said. "Opportunities like this, when we can give back, are great. Some of these kids want to play for UT one day or go to college and play their favorite sport, so to be a good role model for some of them is something that we always try to take into account."
Redshirt sophomore golfer Trenton Johnson, who was able to enjoy a few of the different stations himself, agreed.
"My favorite part about events like this is the interaction we get to have with the people that support us," Johnson said. "The staff, and their families too, they do so much for us and to be able to give back and share a good time with them is really great. Golf is an individual sport so you get into the mindset of focusing on yourself. It's important to show that we support them just as much as they support us.
"Earlier me and my buddy went through the women's basketball bounce house obstacle course. I didn't win but it was a good time."
Between the games, the candy and the costumes, the 10th anniversary of the VOLoween event was a very spooky success.
In its 10th year of existence, the indoor practice football field at the Anderson Training Center was opened up to the Knoxville community for a Halloween celebration. Children and families of University of Tennessee faculty and staff enjoyed a night of dressing up, trick or treating and interactive activities hosted by student-athletes representing each team on campus.
"The Student-Athlete Advisory Committee puts this together because these teams want to give back to the campus community that gives so much to them," Executive Director for Student-Athlete Development Jessica Wildfire said. "It's to say thank you for supporting the student-athletes and their programs in each of their academic and athletic endeavors.
"Being a Tennessee Volunteer is something really special and unique and we really try to instill the Volunteer Spirit in our student-athletes in the way of stepping outside of themselves. Nights like this where they can show their appreciation is something that everyone here looks forward to."
The field in Anderson Training Center transformed into a funhouse with each team creating their own spooky station. Some were even related to the sport that they play. The men's golf team had a putting station set up, while the men's swimming team maintained the consistently-favored dunk tank.
Student-athletes passed out candy to children dressed as Pride of the Southland Band members, Peyton Manning, Smokey, baseball players and various non-UT related costumes. Sophomore SAAC member and softball player Rylie West's favorites were the princesses.
"When I was younger that was my go-to," West said. "I saw Anna and Elsa earlier, and I thought it was so cute."
West's team came up with the witch hat ring toss for their activity.
While all in attendance had fun observing the costumes, picking up candy and participating in the events, what West enjoyed the most was the opportunity to give back to the people that are so supportive of Tennessee Athletics.
"I think a lot of the time we take for granted how much support we have in the Knoxville community and the UT community," West said. "Opportunities like this, when we can give back, are great. Some of these kids want to play for UT one day or go to college and play their favorite sport, so to be a good role model for some of them is something that we always try to take into account."
Redshirt sophomore golfer Trenton Johnson, who was able to enjoy a few of the different stations himself, agreed.
"My favorite part about events like this is the interaction we get to have with the people that support us," Johnson said. "The staff, and their families too, they do so much for us and to be able to give back and share a good time with them is really great. Golf is an individual sport so you get into the mindset of focusing on yourself. It's important to show that we support them just as much as they support us.
"Earlier me and my buddy went through the women's basketball bounce house obstacle course. I didn't win but it was a good time."
Between the games, the candy and the costumes, the 10th anniversary of the VOLoween event was a very spooky success.
Friday, September 25
Thursday, September 24
Wednesday, September 23
Tuesday, September 22
