Growing Up a Volunteer Fan

We have one long week until it is officially, "Football Time in Tennessee". I have decided to reflect on the past, as Derek Dooley prepares for the future and this season. Of note, this is not another one of those preseason analytical assessments of how good or bad we might be.

Tennessee has been a program that, like every major program, has had its ups and downs.  Amidst the current decline, I tend to look at the years which were golden to me.

From birth to present day I have been surrounded by Tennessee Football.

John Ward single handidly taught me how to count backwards in incriments of five. 

My first, and only, Starter Jacket was opened up on Christmas day in third grade and worn seasonally until mid-July, representing the Vols.

My first autograph was from James "Little Man" Stewart, which still hangs on my wall.

If  I was at recess I was scramblin around like Heath Shuler, and later throwing touchdowns like Peyton Manning.

Its easy for me to say that the 90s was Tennessee Football to me.

Alot has changed since then. Coaches, announcers, and national prestige to name a few. 

I think these ideals should resonate with every Tennessee fan: 

Checkerboard endzones

Running through the power T

Rocky Top

Passionate fans

Smokey

They have not died, have not changed, and will remain. What else do we need to make the decade of 2010, something special and rememberable. Stay true as a fan, support your team.

We will be back, its only a matter of time...wouldnt you rather already be on board when it happens?

This is still Tennessee Football!