Vol-un-steer Program

A unique program—Vol-un-steer—begun in February 1952, joined the UT Athletics Department and the UT Department of Animal Husbandry to provide educational experience for the agricultural students and meat for the athletes’ training table. The Athletics Department was to build a herd of approximately 50 cattle from contributions of cattle or of money to purchase cattle. The Agriculture College would tend the herd, and students would slaughter, butcher, and cure the beef to supply the needs of the Varsity Inn—eating place of UT student athletics scholarship holders. The project began with one steer and grew quickly. From two to three cattle needed to be slaughtered each month to fill the needs of the Varsity Inn.