CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. – University of Tennessee Athletics kicked off the 2018 Big Orange Caravan Thursday night at the First Tennessee Pavilion, as Vol fans from the Scenic City enjoyed an evening of fun highlighted by appearances from UT coaches, administrators and spirit squad members.
Tennessee coaches in attendance included head football coach Jeremy Pruitt, men’s and women’s basketball coaches Rick Barnes and Holly Warlick and volleyball coach Eve Rackham. Other special guests from Tennessee Athletics appearing on Thursday included athletics director Phillip Fulmer and “Voice of the Vols” Bob Kesling.
A collaborative effort between Tennessee Athletics and the UT Knoxville Office of Alumni Affairs, the Big Orange Caravan made the first of five scheduled stops in May. The event featured fan-friendly elements such as autographs and photos with coaches, Q & A sessions between Kesling and the coaches, as well as appearances by the UT spirit squads and Smokey the mascot.
Also available at the venue were a bounce house, corn hole, prize wheel, free popcorn/drinks, face painting, food trucks, contests and more. DJ Sterl The Pearl also was on site to provide entertainment during the evening.
As is customary of the Big Orange Caravan’s new format, the local UT Knoxville alumni chapter awarded a scholarship. Michelle Guthrie was announced as the recipient of the 2018-19 Chattanooga UT Knoxville Alumni Chapter Scholarship.
Guthrie is a rising sophomore at UT from Lookout Valley High School in Chattanooga. She had a great first year at UT and has been actively involved on campus, working in the Center for Career Development as a peer career advisor as well being involved with Intramural Sports and Reformed University Fellowship.
“It means so much,” Guthrie said of the grant. “First of all, I love my city and I love Knoxville, so getting this scholarship from the UT Alumni chapter in Chattanooga means so much. It allows me to go away to school in Knoxville, and I love it there. It means everything, and I am so grateful.”
The next stop for the B.O.C. is slated for May 15 at the Expo Center at Agricenter International (Dome) in Memphis. Those interested in attending can register at BigOrangeCaravan.com.
Admission to all Big Orange Caravan events is $5 per person in advance or $10 at the door. Students and youth will receive complimentary admission. Proceeds from admission will go to the local UT Knoxville Alumni Chapters’ scholarship funds (these donations are non-refundable).
-UT Athletics
