University of Tennessee Athletics
Reunion Weekend Kicks Off for Vol Baseball
November 06, 2015 | Baseball
By Brian RiceUTSports.com
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Alumni from all eras of Tennessee baseball returned to campus Friday night for the kickoff of the Volunteers’ reunion weekend.
All former players were invited to the event, which began with a reception and dinner on Friday and will continue with activities prior to the Tennessee-South Carolina football game on Saturday. The 1995 and 2005 College World Series teams will be honored during the football game, the 20th and 10th anniversaries of each being the focal point of the weekend.
Former Vol and current SEC Network broadcaster Chris Burke played on the CWS team in 2001, a season in which he was named SEC Player of the Year and First Team All-American after hitting .435 with 20 home runs and 49 stolen bases.
“For me, it’s always a joy to come back,” Burke said. “This weekend is mostly about the 1995 and 2005 teams, but we’re all a part of the program. It’s a fun celebration for them and for all of us. To come back and see my buddies and catch a football game, it’s great to see in person. We’re really going to enjoy the weekend and slow down and enjoy some of those friendships.”
One of the attendees from the 2005 CWS team arrived in Knoxville on the high of experiencing a World Series Championship parade ealier this week. Luke Hochevar earned the win in the Kansas City Royals’ series-clinching game five vs. the New York Mets.
As soon as the parade was over, Hochevar packed up the family and headed for Knoxville.
“I’ve been looking forward to it all summer,” Hochevar said. “What we shared here in 2005 was special. Those years don’t happen very often, so when you have the opportunity to come back and celebrate with the guys that you went out on the field with is very special.”
The 2005 Vols finished second in the SEC East and dropped their opening game of the SEC Tournament, but were still selected to host a regional at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. Once the NCAA Tournament began, the Vols went on an impressive run, sweeping through the Knoxville Regional and the Atlanta Super Regional en route to Omaha.
Hochevar saw a lot of his 2005 Tennessee team in the Royals squad that he helped pitch to a championship.
“Any winning atmosphere is usually like that,” he said. “What we had here in 2005 was that exact atmosphere. It was a bunch of brothers in a room that had one goal and one goal only in mind and that was to win a championship.”
Burke’s 2001 team brought Tennessee back to the forefront of college baseball and helped lay the groundwork for the run in 2005.
“I took a lot of pride in helping to get it back,” Burke said. “I feel blessed to have been a part of a team that put a stamp on this program.”
Regardless of the era or the accomplishments since, coming home to Knoxville was special to every player in attendance.
“I’m thankful that we have the opportunity to come back,” Hochevar said. “I’m thankful to Coach Serrano and the baseball program for putting it all together and letting us all relive what we experienced.”
