Tennessee Vols morning report: Coronavirus effects on football tickets
The effects COVID-19 could have on Tennessee Vols football season tickets leads our Volunteers news for Friday, April 3, 2020.
Welcome to another Friday to kick off a weekend with nothing to do. Ideally, the Tennessee Vols football team would be in the heart of spring practice, spring sports would be in peak season, and the Final Four would be the talk of the weekend.
Instead, however, everybody is sitting inside dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with that outbreak and how it’s affecting UT in other ways. We have news related to its effect on the football season along with a former player and current coach both talking about dealing with it.
Beyond the coronavirus, there are some bits of recognition we have to give out in women’s basketball and swimming and diving. That will be some of the good news for the program heading into the weekend. Let’s start with the COVID-19-related news, though.
Football to offer season-ticket flexibility – Grant Ramey, GoVols247
As the coronavirus outbreak continues to push everything back, Tennessee Vols athletic director Phillip Fulmer said that some flexibility would be offered for football season-ticket renewals. Fulmer addressed season-ticket holders in an email on Thursday, and he also brought up a new payment plan option and new benefits, which fans can access through their AllVols.com account.
"There has been widespread speculation about whether the 2020 football season will go on as scheduled. Spring practices and spring games across the SEC were axed in March as the sports world was put on hold, with professional leagues suspending their seasons and the NCAA cancelling all winter and spring sports championships, including conference basketball tournaments and the NCAA Tournament."
Peyton Manning addresses UT quarterbacks – Vol_Football Twitter Account
One week removed from crashing a University of Tennessee online class, Peyton Manning continued his virtual ways to stay connected to his alma mater. The legendary quarterback addressed Tennessee football quarterbacks Thursday as part of an online meeting that was set up by Chris Weinke to talk about dealing with this situation. Here’s a bit of what he said.
"“Nobody has any experience in dealing with this. The closest thing that I can relate this to is in 2011 the NFL had a lockout, where you weren’t allowed to go in the building, you weren’t allowed to talk to your coaches in the offseason. It truly was a lockout.”"
Rick Barnes updates basketball program – The Erik Ainge Show, WNML
Three weeks after the Tennessee Vols basketball season was canceled, head coach Rick Barnes went on The Erik Ainge show to discuss the state of the program. Here’s a bit of what he said about how things have developed since then.
"“The guys have been gone for quite some time. Once we got back from the SEC Tournament, everybody went their different ways. It took us a little bit of time to get our foreign players situated, where they would be gone. We are in contact with our guys."
Rennia Davis All-America Honorable Mention – WBCA.org
Coming off a junior season in which she averaged 18 points and over eight rebounds a game, Tennessee Lady Vols wing Rennia Davis earned Women’s Basketball Coaches Association All-America Honorable Mention. Meanwhile, senior guard Sabrina Ionescu of the Oregon Ducks earned the Wade Trophy.
"The Wade Trophy — now in its 43rd year — is the oldest and most prestigious national player of the year award in college women’s basketball. It is named in honor of the late, legendary Delta State University head coach Lily Margaret Wade, who won three consecutive national championships with the Lady Statesmen."
Erika Brown a Honda Award finalist – THE Collegiate Womens Sports Awards
After helping the Tennessee women’s Swimming and Diving program to its first ever SEC Championship in her senior season, Erika Brown has been named one of four finalists for the Honda Sport Award for Swimming and Diving. The finalists were selected by a panel of coaches and experts from the Collegiate Swimming & Diving Coaches Association of America (CSAA).
"The CWSA has been balancing the recognition of deserving honorees with these unusual times as collegiate athletics have come to a halt. Given the nationwide pandemic, the CWSA will be announcing the winter honorees, the 2020 Inspiration Award finalists and winner and will announce the status of the 2020 event as those details become clearer."