Orange and White… and Black?

Orange and White… and Black? By Tom Mattingly In late October 2009, there was a great deal of interest engendered across Volunteer Nation when the Tennessee Vols were rumored to be wearing black shirts (with their orange pants) in their upcoming game against South...

A ‘neutral site’ venue for the Mid-South

A ‘neutral site’ venue for the Mid-South   By Tom Mattingly Many Tennessee fans have no idea where Crump Stadium was located, for whom it was named, and what significance it holds in University of Tennessee football history. With the days of the Vols...

How a jersey number becomes special

How a jersey number becomes special By Tom Mattingly When I was working on a book proposal tentatively titled “The University of Tennessee Best of the Best… by the Numbers,” there were a few jersey numbers that were no doubters. Some of the best players in school...

Look Carefully at the Field

Look Carefully at the Field By Tom Mattingly There are all kinds of storylines within the expanse of the Neyland Stadium, far beyond wins, losses, and ties, summonsed as if by magic in the mind’s eye. It’s definitely an orange-tinted world. More than 70 years ago, the...