NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee women’s basketball team arrived in Music City on Wednesday evening and continued preparations for Thursday’s SEC Tournament game vs. Auburn at 6 p.m. CT.

Prior to heading to Bridgestone Arena for media obligations and shoot-around, the Lady Vols met and had dinner with some new friends as part of the SEC’s #1 Fan – Team Captain Initiative.

Six-year-old cancer-surviving hero Dakoda Sparks, his parents, Olin and Stephanie Sparks, and little brother, Noah, spent time dining and visiting the UT players and coaches. Dakoda was nominated to be Tennessee’s #1 fan by his caregivers at Hospital Corporation of America (HCA), and the National Sports Council and the Southeastern Conference helped coordinate the meeting of these new friends.

Following dinner, the Sparks family joined the Lady Vols at Bridgestone Arena. Dakoda accompanied senior Jaime Nared to her television interviews and photo shoot, and they looked in on the other players who were doing sessions of their own.  Practice followed, and Dakoda and Noah had the opportunity to spend a little time on the court and watch practice from the team’s bench. They are excited to attend UT’s game vs. Auburn on Thursday evening.

UT Athletics