University of Tennessee Athletics
History of the V-O-L-S Letters
In the summer of 2022—in response to feedback from Vol Nation—Tennessee Athletics restored a cherished element of Neyland Stadium history when it installed two matching sets of V-O-L-S letters atop the venue's southwest and southeast sides.
The history of this popular piece of stadium aesthetics traces its roots to the summer of 1966. A complete timeline follows.
SUMMER 1966
The 8-foot tall back-lighted V-O-L-S letters—originally with orange lettering on a white-paneled background—are installed at the top of the Neyland Stadium's south side. From summer 1966 until 1978, they were lit every evening. Beginning in 1978, the internal lighting was turned off, with the exception of night football games, as part of an energy conservation program.
SUMMER 1976
As part of stadium renovations prior to the 1976 season, the design of the letters shifts to white lettering on an orange-paneled background.
SUMMER 1999
Neyland Stadium installs its first edition of a videoboard, and the letters are moved to the top of the new videoboard structure on the stadium's south side. The design of the letters also shifts to back orange lettering on white-paneled background.
SUMMER 2009
Due to Neyland Stadium’s videoboard being replaced, enlarged and enhanced, the V-O-L-S letters are removed entirely from the stadium for the first time since their initial installation following the 1965 season. Wind-load requirements related to the new videoboard structure played a role in the letters' removal.
NOVEMBER 2010
The version of V-O-L-S letters that overlooked Neyland Stadium from 1999 to 2009 are auctioned off to the Copper Cellar Family of Restaurants through United Way of Greater Knoxville’s online auction.
JULY 2022
Two sets of letters are installed above the south upper deck of Neyland Stadium, framing the south videoboard structure. The design features white letters on an orange-paneled background, a return to the style of the original letters. The new letters are larger than any previous version, coming in at 12-foot wide, 12-foot tall and 3-foot deep. Both sets were hardwired to be compatible with Neyland Stadium's innovative venue-wide LED light show capabilities.
The history of this popular piece of stadium aesthetics traces its roots to the summer of 1966. A complete timeline follows.
SUMMER 1966
The 8-foot tall back-lighted V-O-L-S letters—originally with orange lettering on a white-paneled background—are installed at the top of the Neyland Stadium's south side. From summer 1966 until 1978, they were lit every evening. Beginning in 1978, the internal lighting was turned off, with the exception of night football games, as part of an energy conservation program.SUMMER 1976
As part of stadium renovations prior to the 1976 season, the design of the letters shifts to white lettering on an orange-paneled background.SUMMER 1999
Neyland Stadium installs its first edition of a videoboard, and the letters are moved to the top of the new videoboard structure on the stadium's south side. The design of the letters also shifts to back orange lettering on white-paneled background.SUMMER 2009
Due to Neyland Stadium’s videoboard being replaced, enlarged and enhanced, the V-O-L-S letters are removed entirely from the stadium for the first time since their initial installation following the 1965 season. Wind-load requirements related to the new videoboard structure played a role in the letters' removal.NOVEMBER 2010
The version of V-O-L-S letters that overlooked Neyland Stadium from 1999 to 2009 are auctioned off to the Copper Cellar Family of Restaurants through United Way of Greater Knoxville’s online auction.
JULY 2022
Two sets of letters are installed above the south upper deck of Neyland Stadium, framing the south videoboard structure. The design features white letters on an orange-paneled background, a return to the style of the original letters. The new letters are larger than any previous version, coming in at 12-foot wide, 12-foot tall and 3-foot deep. Both sets were hardwired to be compatible with Neyland Stadium's innovative venue-wide LED light show capabilities.
