Two Tennessee Vols women’s basketball affiliates being inducted into the Hall of Fame lead our Volunteers news for Monday, June 11, 2018.
The Tennessee Vols aren’t in any baseball postseason play, which is anything major that’s left right now. But in the heart of June, there are still plenty of important news stories to cover with them. And this morning is no different.
As we get set to bring you today’s updates on Rocky Top, though, it’s a little different than usual. Women’s basketball, not football, leads the report. Honestly, it’s something that’s well-deserved, though, as you’ll see soon.
And while they didn’t make the baseball postseason, there’s a recap of one other spring sport to bring you that we’ll get to. So the news remains plentiful. Let’s start with the women’s basketball updates that are so important.
Two Tennessee Lady Vols inducted to Hall of Fame – WBHOF online
Tennessee Lady Vols legend Chamique Holdsclaw and assistant coach Mickie DeMoss both were inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame. Holdsclaw is widely considered the greatest player in school history, leading the team to three straight national championships in the mid-1990s and capping it off with an undefeated 1997-1998 season. DeMoss worked for Pat Summitt from 1985 to 2003 and helped her program win six national titles. She then had a three-year stint under Holly Warlick from 2010 to 2012.
"The 2018 Induction marked the 20th anniversary of the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame, which held its grand opening and inaugural induction in 1999. The Class of 2018 were inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame receiving their coveted Eastman Trophy and Baron Championship Induction Ring on June 9, 2018, in Knoxville, Tennessee. With the induction of the Class of 2018, the Hall of Fame has honored 164 inductees."
Former Vol John Kelly signs with Rams – Patrick Brown
Former Tennessee Vols football running back John Kelly inked a deal with the Los Angeles Rams, the team that selected him in the 2018 NFL Draft. Kelly signed a four-year deal worth just over $2.6 million with a guaranteed signing bonus worth just over $188,000. He was the final former Vol drafted to sign his deal, as Rashaan Gaulden and Kahlil McKenzie have both already signed rookie deals with the Carolina Panthers and Kansas City Chiefs respectively.
"Kelly was the team’s sixth-round pick as the Rams took him with the No. 176 overall pick. He led the Vols in rushing in 2017 and elected to jump to the NFL instead of playing his senior season at Tennessee. In Los Angeles he’s expected to compete for the top complimentary role behind Todd Gurley out of the Rams’ backfield."
Track and Field earns four All-America honors – UTSports
The Tennessee Vols women’s team earned four All-America honors at the NCAA Track and Field Championships. Shania Collins earned two first-team accolades, and Cidae’a Woods and Maya Neal each earned a second-team accolade.
"As a team, Tennessee finished 25th in the women’s standings based on points from Collins in the sprints and Stamatia Scarvelis’ third-place finish in hammer."