Tennessee Vols morning report: UT provides update on plans for Fall
Updates on the plans for the Tennessee Vols this Fall amidst coronavirus lead our Volunteers news for Friday, May 8, 2020.
As some states continue to reopen, concerns now are surrounding what will happen in the fall. Obviously, Tennessee Vols fans want football back, as does the rest of the SEC, and there is some news on that front.
Our morning update on Rocky Top leads with a notice from the university and the athletic department on what the plans are right now. We’ll dive into what each unit said and what it means going forward.
Beyond that, though, there is sports news, including a scheduled men’s basketball event later in the year, accomplishments of two former football players and a swimming signing class. An expansion of an off-the-field program is also part of our coverage. Let’s start, however, with the COVID-19 news.
UT says no decision on fall athletics – Blake Toppmeyer, Knoxville News Sentinel
With everything continuing to be shut down due to coronavirus, the University of Tennessee tweeted that no decisions have been made yet on Fall athletics. However, the UT athletics account tweeted that Tennessee Vols fall sports are still being planned as scheduled.
"Tennessee has not competed in an athletic competition since the baseball, softball and men’s golf teams had games or tournaments on March 10. Days later, the sports world came to a halt due to the coronavirus pandemic."
Basketball to face Gonzaga in December – Jim Meehan, The Spokesman-Review
Two years after the Tennessee Vols men’s basketball program upset the No. 1 ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs in Phoenix, the two will meet again. This time, it will be as part of the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Dec. 8.
"It will mark the fourth meeting in six years between the schools since Barnes took over at Tennessee before the 2015-16 season. Rutgers will face Baylor in the other game of the doubleheader, according to Stadium’s Jeff Goodman."
Peerless Price graduates – Dan Fleser, Chattanoogan.com
Over 20 years after being the top playmaker on Tennessee football’s national championship season, former Vol wide receiver Peerless Price completed his undergraduate degree. He also posted a message in a video tweeted by the UT program’s account.
"After playing nine seasons in the NFL, Price returned to finish his UT degree in psychology through the Renewing Academic Commitment program. Price and 64 other student-athletes have completed their degree requirements and are being honored in virtual fashion this week by the university, which has been conducting its business online since March because of the coronavirus pandemic."
Gerald Riggs Jr. hired as high school RB coach – Dan Harralson, VolsWire.com
Former Tennessee football running back Gerald Riggs Jr. has been hired as a running backs coach by North Jackson High School in Stevenson, Ala. The school tweeted the news on its account Thursday evening.
"Riggs played for the Vols from 2002-05. He totaled 1,893 rushing yards and scored 10 touchdowns in 38 career games for Tennessee."
Swimming and diving announces signing class – UTSports
A total of 18 members, 14 swimmers and four divers, were announced as part of the Tennessee Vols men’s swimming and diving 2020 recruiting class Thursday by associate head coach Lance Asti . These athletes join a program coming off its best year since 2001.
"“This was the first recruiting class under our team’s new structure and to have this many men believe in the mission of our team is really humbling,” Asti said. “These men value hard work, toughness and competitiveness. Our team is on a mission to win championships and this class has the potential to help us take a big step in that direction.”"
VOLeaders Academy class expands – Patrick Brown, GoVols247
Six Tennessee football players and two men’s basketball players were announced as part of the expanded VOLeaders Academy Class for 2020-2021. The football players are Eric Gray, Quavaris Crouch, Henry To’o To’o, Jackson Lowe, Paxton Brooks and K’Rojhn Calbert. Josiah-Jordan James and Davonte Gaines are the basketball players.
"The leadership organization, which was created in 2015, is geared toward developing student-athletes and educating them on how to use their platform to make an impact on their teams, on campus and in their local and global communities through sports. Tennessee announced on Thursday it was expanded the upcoming class to 41 student-athletes."