Telling the story of Tennessee’s football history may seem complicated, but the end result is worth the effort.
By Tom Mattingly
Tennessee football fans come in all shapes and sizes. Each of them likely has a story behind their fan experience.
All a historian would need to do is find out who they are, talk to them, and summarize their remarks on the printed page of books, magazines, and publications like this one.
In some cases, the process involves finding “stuff” packed away in closets, desk drawers, garages, attics, or wherever else it might have ended up – perhaps forgotten owing to the passage of time. It may seem complicated, but the end result is worth the effort.
Most collectors will never stop trying to cover these stories and/or find the artifacts from past seasons. That’s where Dr. Bill Harb comes in, much like the rest of us who enjoy the games and look for ways to contribute to the historic record.
Harb grew up in South Knoxville and now lives in Goodlettsville. He leads a “double life,” first as a surgeon by day and as a memorabilia collector in his spare time. He is one of a small group of Vol devotees who bring great love, appreciation, and passion for Tennessee football and its historic tradition.
A season ticket holder dating to 1979 (Section V on the West side), he started his collection in 2000. It covers one “good-sized” room in his home, as a tribute to the color orange.
This group, counting members Harb and Allen Spain, both of Nashville, John Park of Memphis, former Vol videographer Barry Rice of Rogersville, and the “Vol Historian” from Knoxville, is dedicated to preserving the history and memories of the Vol athletic program. We talk on a regular basis and support each other’s efforts. We exult when one of us finds something exciting or previously unknown.
While always on the lookout for more, Harb has assembled a brief summary of his collection. There are 20 pages with more than 50 pictures, highlighting Vol athletic history. It’s that good.
The monograph is titled “Original Memorabilia Documenting the History of University of Tennessee Football.” It is full of Vol memorabilia no one else seems to have or know about.
“I believe this is the most historically complete collection of memorabilia relating to the Tennessee football program,” he says. “The collection will hopefully continue to grow, allowing more of the stories of U. T. football to continue to be told.”
Harb’s published collection, as presently constituted, ranges from an orange and white 1915 pennant, Peyton Manning’s green practice jersey, a $60 check Bob Neyland wrote to Bear Bryant, a game program from the 1931 Charity Bowl, and Bowden Wyatt’s 1956 Southeastern Conference “Coach of the Year” plaque.
There’s also a game ball from the 1934 SEC All-Star Game, autographed by Buddy Hackman, Gene McEver, and Bobby Dodd (known popularly as “Hack, Mack, and Dodd”). There is also Beattie Feathers’ 1934 All-American Award.
Oak Ridge’s Chuck Caldwell provided a set of figurines representing the players on the 1954 All-Time Tennessee football first team as selected by the Knoxville Journal. The models were made of modeling clay and painted with lacquer paint. It truly appears to be a labor of love.
He also has Condredge Holloway’s No. 7 game jersey, Dale Jones’ No. 54 1986 Sugar Bowl game jersey, and a pair of Reggie White’s game shoes, complete with his No. 92 printed in magic marker on its heels. He counts Wyatt’s game jersey No. 37 as one of his favorite items, along with Neyland’s SEC “Coach of the Year” award from 1936.
Harb follows in the footsteps of the late Dr. Andy Kozar, Vol fullback (1950-52), legendary author, professor, and administrator, who also spent much of his spare time hunting Vol memorabilia. Kozar set a standard for collectors that Harb is well on his way to emulating.
With the advent of the 2026 University of Tennessee football season, those of us charged with chronicling the development of the program have a new challenge. What we are seeing today will eventually become part of tomorrow’s history.
Our efforts at preserving the ever-evolving Vol gridiron history provide a chance to share what it means to have closely followed the program. Harb is an active part of bringing Vol history to life.
