University of Tennessee Athletics
From The Desk of Mike Hamilton
Jan. 5, 2004
It's January and the beginning of 2004, a year we are sure will be a special one for UT athletics.
The start of a new year recharges everybody's batteries and it's no different for all of us involved in Tennessee athletics. We look forward to even better things in the year to come.
We were proud of our December graduates, four of whom were captains of our football team, Casey Clausen, Constantin Ritzmann, Scott Wells and Michael Munoz.
That had to be special for head coach Phillip Fulmer and his staff as well as for the players and their families.
You might remember that a fifth captain, linebacker Kevin Burnett, has already graduated and the sixth, defensive back Rashad Baker, is on track to graduate this year.
There were a number of special things that happened over the past year.
In the "Year of the Fan," one Vol fan came a long way, perhaps 5700 miles, to see the Vols play. Ricky Ellison, a native of LaFollette who is stationed in Milan, Italy, found his way to the Georgia Dome thanks to the efforts of Vol broadcaster Bob Kesling. Ellison, on NATO assignment and and aide to the chief of staff there, had previously served with the 82nd Airborne in Afghanistan. "It was the first game I had seen in two years and I was bent on getting to Atlanta or wherever the Vols played," he said. All of us appreciate all the fans who made their way to Atlanta and who gave us such great support.
We were happy with the success of our 25 millionth fan promotion and congratulate the winners for each game. I know Patricia Gregg, winner of the grand prize, was excited by her selection and is making good use of her prizes.
I was also happy we were able to honor the "Legends of the Game" at each home contest. We were able to bring some of the big names of Tennessee football back home to Neyland Stadium.
Vol fans warmly welcome home former Vols Johnnie Jones, Bruce Wilkerson,
Charles McRae, Tony Thompson, Condredge Holloway, Larry Seivers, Jeff Hall,
Heath Shuler, Joey Kent, Stanley Morgan, Bobby Majors, Eddie Brown, Tim Irwin
and Anthony Hancock.
It was exciting to watch the tapes of their exploits on the JumboTron and see
them in person at midfield. We plan to continue that ceremony next season and
look forward to bringing back many more of the great players in Tennessee football
history.
One special moment came when we honored the 1938 11-0 team at the Marshall game this past September. There aren't many of these guys left, but the exploits of this group will not soon be forgotten.
We were glad that Norbert Ackermann, Leonard Coffman and Ed Cifers could be with us and keep Vol fans connected with an integral part of a great team in a long line of great Tennessee teams.
The panoply of Tennessee athletics continues unabated over the months to come and we know there are some exciting times on the horizon.
The annual Fund Drive is underway under the leadership of chairs Pete Kutz and Todd Kelly, the latter a Vol captain back in 1992. Watch for the events in your area.
From our family to yours, we want to wish you the best in 2004. We look forward to seeing you whenever and wherever the Vols might be competing.
We also thank you for your continued loyal support.
Expect to win!
