Tennessee Volunteers Football: Ranking The Vol Traditions
By Zach Ragan
14. Salute To The Hill
Prior to every home game the Tennessee band marches into the stadium in a parade like sequence. The march climaxes when the band stops at the bottom of “the hill” and performs “Salute to the Hill”.
The hill is the oldest part of the Tennessee campus and it resides on the tallest hill on campus, which happens to beside Neyland Stadium. “Salute to the Hill” pays homage to the history of the University of Tennessee.
13. The Rock
The Rock has been a fixture on the Tennessee campus since the 1960’s. The Rock serves as “message board” of sorts for students.
Typically the Rock is painted by students before games, sending good will to the Vol players or throwing out some good natured “trash” talk to opponents.
The Rock is also often painted for visiting recruits, something that is frowned upon, but done anyways by students. The messages usually tell recruits they’re welcome and encourage them to play for Tennessee.
Sometimes the Rock serves as a way to let off some steam, as it famously did after the sudden departure of former Volunteer football coach Lane Kiffin. We won’t post those photos here, they’re not very kid friendly, but a quick google search can show you what we mean.
12. Orange & White
Sep 8, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers cheerleader entertains fans during the first Vol Walk of the season prior to the game against the Georgia State Panthers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Pantone Matching System number 151
That’s the official tint of orange for the University of Tennessee, arguably the most famous shade of orange in the world of college football.
Charles Moore chose orange and white as the school’s official colors way back in 1889.
Tennessee’s shade of orange is instantly recognizable and polarizing. If you visit Knoxville you’ll notice the orange glow around the city. Fans of opposing teams often voice their displeasure with the color, saying that it literally takes over the stadium and is more then they can handle.
Whatever your thoughts are on the orange and white, there’s no doubt that the colors are synonymous with Tennessee and the first thing most folks think of when they see that shade of orange.