Today On Rocky Top: Reaction To Vols’ Name Change

From USA Today

"In the wake of Tennessee’s announcement Monday night that the school would be discontinuing the use of the Lady Vols nickname and logo for all sports except women’s basketball, several former athletes are speaking out against the change.One of them, 2004 Ezell-Harding graduate Natalie Brock, a former Tennessee softball player and current assistant coach at Missouri-Kansas City, said she was angry when she heard the news, which represents “an end of an era.”When Brock was being recruited, the pitch was that, as a Lady Vol athlete, she’d have an athletic department devoted entirely to women’s sports. That changed in 2012 when the gender-specific departments were merged into one, but that didn’t alter the feeling of distinction that remained among female athletes at Tennessee, Brock said.Read more at USA Today"

From The Times Free Press

"That chilly night in Oxford, Miss., seems like it was much more than just a few weeks ago.The warmer night at the end of August seems forever ago.Those were memorable moments for Jacob Gilliam, the Tennessee offensive tackle who returned from a torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered 73 days ago to start for the Volunteers in their past two games, but it very well may be the memories from four years ago that are fueling the fifth-year senior.Gilliam was a freshman walk-on back in 2010, when Tennessee played in its last bowl game.Read more at The Times Free Press"

From Rocky Top Insider

"With three games to play, several Vols are ranked among the SEC leaders in multiple categories. Tennessee, as a team, is also leading (or close to leading) the conference in a few areas. Here’s a quick roundup.Sacks – The Vols rank 4th in the SEC in sacks, up from dead last the past two seasons. Kentucky ranks 13th in the SEC in sacks allowed – Tennessee will have a chance to improve its standing this weekend.Read more at Rocky Top Insider"