Emerald Youth Foundation hosts Rick Barnes Classic
By Ken Lay
In a tradition that has come to signal the start of the University of Tennessee’s basketball season, head coach Rick Barnes made an appearance at the annual Rick Barnes Classic golf tournament, benefitting the Emerald Youth Foundation.
Barnes, the Volunteers’ 71-year-old head coach who was recently given a lifetime contract by UT, is a member of the organization’s board of directors. He said it was an honor to be associated with the foundation, an inner-city youth ministry in Knoxville.
“What makes it special are the kids and the fact that we know that Emerald is giving them a chance to lead a full life,” Barnes said. “Emerald gives them Jesus Christ early and gives them a foundation that they can hold on to forever.
Barnes, who said he was a latch-key kid growing up, has been involved with the foundation since first coming to Knoxville more than a decade ago. And the golf tournament, which was held at Holston Hills on Monday, Sept. 22, is one of Emerald Youth Foundation’s major annual fundraisers.
Barnes relishes the opportunity to work with the foundation.
“Since I’ve had the opportunity to work with Emerald, they’re all great people,” he said. “We have something special here in Knoxville and Emerald is truly one of those special organizations.”
The tournament took place the day before the Vols officially began practice and preparations for the upcoming 2025-26 season. The coach’s thoughts weren’t far from basketball and he even showed some self-deprecating humor when asked about the lifetime contract.
“When you’re 71, they’re not really making a huge investment when they give you a lifetime contract,” he said.
The Vols were a bit short-handed when they had their first official practice on Tuesday, as post player J.P. Estrella, who was injured most of last season with a foot injury, is out again, this time with an ankle injury.
“We just got to get everybody healthy,” Barnes said. “We still haven’t had the entire team together for a full practice yet, but we’re looking forward to that at some point.”
Estrella is just one Tennessee player who has battled injury during the offseason, and despite seeing players bitten by the injury bug, Barnes has liked what he’s seen so far.
“It’s a great group, and we’ve been able to get through it,” he said. “And again, I think we’re all really excited to see what we can do when we get everybody out there.”
Tennessee will begin its 2025-26 campaign when it hosts Duke in an exhibition game on Sunday, Oct. 26, at Food City Center.
