First Football Victory (Intercollegiate)
The 1892 opening game against Maryville College was won by UT 25-0. Albert B. Wegener (who received his degree in 1896) scored the first touchdown. A reported 250 fans attended.
First Football Victory over Vanderbilt
In 1914 UT first defeated its bitter football rival, Vanderbilt. The victory caused such rejoicing that classes were suspended for a day of celebration.
First Formal Inauguration of the President of the University
The first formal inauguration of a president of the university was that of Dr. Brown Ayres and was held at Staub’s Theatre in downtown Knoxville in April 1905. Ayres had been elected president by unanimous vote of the trustees on August 2, 1904.
First Fossil Discovery in Gray, Tennessee
In May 2000 workers on a road project in Gray, Tennessee, encountered soil problems. Harry Moore, a UT masters’ degree holder in geology and the manager of the Tennessee Department of Transportation’s Geotechnical Engineering Office in Knoxville, sent office geologist Larry Bolt to the site on May 17. Bolt reported findings that suggested soils from … Continued
First Founders’ Medal Recipient
Howard H. Baker Jr., former senator and later ambassador, was the recipient of the first Founders’ Medal. The medal was presented at the 1996 Charter Day celebration.
First Four-Year Majorette Scholarship
Upon admission to UT as a freshman in 1958, Claudette Riley had already been the Tennessee State Champion Twirler for four years, Southeastern Champion for three years, All American Strutting Queen, and one of the top six twirlers in the nation. She had amassed 75 trophies and 76 medals. She was the first person to … Continued
First Fraternity
Alpha Tau Omega fraternity established a sub rosa (secret society) chapter (Pi Chapter) at UT in 1872, making it the first fraternity on campus, but the next year its charter was revoked. ATO did not return to UT until 1901. (It should be noted that Chi Delta Literary Society, which along with the other literary … Continued
First Fraternity Formally Recognized by the University
The first fraternity to be formally recognized by the university was Kappa Sigma, which established a chapter at UT in 1880. Not only did the faculty recognize its existence, but they also permitted the fraternity’s meetings to be held on campus. Some writers about the university have held that the favoritism shown Kappa Sigma might … Continued
First Fraternity Permanently Established
Pi Kappa Alpha, (established sub rosa) received its charter (Zeta) March 23, 1874. It was the first fraternity permanently established. There were probably periods of inactivity during its early years, and it is probable that a new charter was granted in the 1880s.
First Fraternity to Purchase a House
In 1919 Pi Kappa Alpha purchased the handsome Gaines home at 1305 W. Clinch Avenue. The fraternity had been renting the old Sanford house at 10 Maplehurst Park prior to the purchase.