In the announcement of the contest to design a symbol for the university, the following guidance was provided to sculptors:
Back of all traditions of Tennessee is the spirit of the State as symbolized by the word “Volunteer.” The term has always been used to honor the State whose men have so readily responded to its call. It is planned to have the symbol represent a youth holding high a torch of intellectual and spiritual liberty. The award is to be given to the sculptor who succeeds in moulding the figure of the Volunteer which best catches the spirit of University youth and its ideal of service. The figure should portray the spirit of volunteer service not only in time of war but in the economic, social, intellectual and spiritual development of the Commonwealth. The Torch is a University tradition; the Volunteer is a tradition of both the University and the State.