Volunteer Tradition

This past Saturday was a special day for me and my dad. Tyler got to attended his first University of Tennessee football game and sat in Sec. S, Row 22, Seat 25. The same seat my grandmother sat in in 1955, the same seat my dad sat in in when he saw his first game in 1959, the same seat I saw my first game in 1986, and the same seat Tyler has now sat in in 2010. 50+ years of Volunteer history and tradition.
We have seen many games in the past 50 years, many upsets, disappointing, heartbreaking losses, and gut wrenching victories. We have always had the tradition of getting to the game 3-4 hours before kick off and begin tailgating, watching Vol Walk, The Pride of the Southland Marching band march towards the stadium playing Rocky Top. As I kid I was hooked. We would then go into the stadium an hour before kick off and get our seat and watch the team warm up. I still see the same usher Richard who would be ushering when I was a little girl. For the most part, same people sit around us that have been for many years.
As things have changed and I have a 16 month old and one on the way, I'm not getting to see as many games, but this does not change my love for the Vols.
My dad caught a football when he was a teenager at a UT vs Georgia Tech game and back then you could keep the extra point ball. He handed down the football to Tyler this year.
Seasons change, players and coaches change, and we may not always have a winning season, but one thing will always remain the same......I will always be a Tennessee Volunteer.