A favorite student prank early in the twentieth century was “stacking” a dormitory room—usually while the occupant was in town visiting a young lady. The victim would return after lights out to find his household goods “stacked” on top of his bed. He also might find his water pitcher, filled to the brim, balanced on … Continued

In 1913 one student accepted a bet that he could not climb the tall, unstable, iron flagpole atop Old College and put his hat on top of the pole. Shortly after midnight, he accomplished the task, although the pole swayed and threatened to break.

Pratt Pavilion, a $16 million structure containing two full size gymnasia (one for the Vols, one for the Lady Vols), weight room, training room, and film study area was completed in 2007. Construction on the building (which is connected to Thompson-Boling Arena by an enclosed walkway) was jump-started by the $5 million gift of Larry … Continued

In August 2006 Cleveland, Tennessee, native Brenda Lawson made a new $5 million pledge to UT, bringing her total to $10 million. Of the gift, $3.5 million came to UT Knoxville (the remainder went to UT Chattanooga)—$2.5 million for the new basketball practice facility and $1 million toward renovation of Neyland Stadium. In recognition of … Continued

The basketball recruiting lounge in the Pratt Pavilion was named for former Vol Chris Lofton in December 2009. Four donors—Jerry and Nancy Fortner of Greeneville and Brian and Craig Nelson of Knoxville—made gifts to the Campaign for Tennessee Basketball in honor of Lofton to name the Chris Lofton Recruiting Room. A three-time All-America performer at … Continued

Robbie Earlene Brooks Nutt is not herself a UT alum, but her three children and her husband (Dr. Ron Nutt) all are. Originally from Ooltewah, Tennessee, Robbie Nutt’s first involvement with UT was going to football games, but she found her passion when she began attending Lady Vol Basketball games. Nutt endowed a basketball scholarship … Continued

Following the 1982 Kentucky football game, verbal prayer preceding football games was dropped by the Athletics Department. In the 1982 invocation, Father Michael Devenney of John XXIII Catholic Center had closed his prayer with a request that God help the Vols to secure a berth in the Peach Bowl. A moment of silent prayer was … Continued

Initiated in 1989, the Pregame Faculty Showcase is a public lecture series scheduled two hours before each home football game that features 30-minute presentations by faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences on topics related to their expertise, followed by 10 to 15 minutes of questions and answers. A reception for attendees, with light … Continued

In 1947 Professor T. M. N. Lewis, archaeologist, announced that a prehistoric footprint from Nicaragua had been donated to UT. The footprint was one of those that caused a stir in the scientific world in 1938 when they were unearthed 15 feet underground by quarrying operations near Managua. The footprints were generally thought to be … Continued

From the time of the opening of Blount College in 1795, it offered subcollegiate instruction. In the first catalog (East Tennessee College, 1838), James Garvin was the head of the Preparatory and Scientific Department, and of the 95 students, 47 were enrolled in the preparatory and scientific course of study. In the catalog of 1842, … Continued