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Title: When did you know.... Post by: RIPLEYVOL on August 27, 2012, 04:42:39 EDT That you were an orangeblooded VOL fan?? I had watched the VOLS since I was a kid but, the true turning point for me was the "Miracle at South Bend". It was a nice welcome home from Desert Storm for me!
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: Black Diamond Vol on August 27, 2012, 04:45:15 EDT 1/1/86.
Title: Probably around 5 yrs old sitting at the kitchen table with my Post by: VOLMAN on August 27, 2012, 04:50:38 EDT dad listening to the Tennessee Volunteers play....his excitement and passion communicated to me that "this is who we are"! I've never considered that I had an option. :thumbup:
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: droner on August 27, 2012, 05:22:14 EDT My first injection of orange probably was with the Gator Bowl following the 1966 season when UT beat Syracuse. Syracuse was openly miffed that they had to play UT rather than a "great team".
My fandom was solidified when UT played Georgia in the fist game of the 1968 season, the first game on Tartan Turf. It was on TV and not many games were. Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: ReVOLver on August 27, 2012, 05:36:23 EDT 1/1/86. . Before that day, it was just something to watch... even though I rooted for UT, I wasn't consumed by it, until that day. Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: RipleyVol12 on August 27, 2012, 05:37:48 EDT Still young as a diehard fan, but 04 Florida game got me. I had watched plenty of games prior but that one meant a lot to win.
GO VOLS! :powert: Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: WoodstockVol on August 27, 2012, 05:38:21 EDT 1983 was when I started to pay attention to Tennessee football. I think the first Tennessee game I sat down and watched on tv was the 13-10 loss to Ole Miss in 1983
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: Stogie Vol on August 27, 2012, 05:44:49 EDT I can't pinpoint when it was exactly. I grew up with dad whooping and hollering at the radio and/or tv during games. It was apparent to me that Tennessee football was extremely important if my dad acted that way about it.
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: midtnvol on August 27, 2012, 05:52:49 EDT 11-28-64
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: Hollerboy on August 27, 2012, 07:32:16 EDT I am sorta like Revolver....was a vol fan, listened to most of the games on the radio with my best friend and his Dad. But, I was in the Army when we upset Miami, 1-1 86, and the pride I had in my state and being from TN was kicked into a new gear. That is when I understood that it meant more to me than just a football game. For me, it was about state pride...been a Vol homer ever since. I guess that is the day my glasses turned orange.
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: Memphisvolunteer on August 27, 2012, 08:08:49 EDT I grew up watching UT but I think I really became a fan in about 1985 or so. I still remember the Sugar Bowl and how pissed I was when Miami scored first to go up 7 - 0 and Keith Jackson said something to the effect of "Here comes Miami". I was so glad we creamed them and they didn't score after that!
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: Clockwork Orange on August 27, 2012, 08:32:49 EDT Nobody in my family was a big UT fan when I was growing up. My dad paid some attention but never much. For me, the interest was really triggered when I was in 6th grade.
My teacher, as a way of getting us engaged in, paying attention to, and then writing about something, had us answer a series of questions and give a statistical summary of every UT football game. It was the 1990 season, and though I was not able to watch every game I remember a number of details because I had to read the Sunday paper for info every week. I remember the Colorado and Auburn ties, Webb's injury vs. Pacific, the ridiculous 9-6 loss to Alabama, and the Sugar Bowl win over UVA. I don't think I got to see a game in Neyland Stadium until 1992, when I saw the opener vs. SWLA (Fulmer's debut as interim) and the loss to Arkansas that spelled the beginning of the end for Majors. Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: VOLcrazi on August 27, 2012, 09:50:16 EDT My first game when I was 4 and had to sit in the upper deck. I was scared to death up until the time we left
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: PirateVOL on August 27, 2012, 10:00:57 EDT RoseBonnet Bowl
In the Swamp Rat we trusted, though it took him a 100 years or so to run that yard. :eek: Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: RockinGrannyVol on August 27, 2012, 10:01:23 EDT Been going to games since somewhere around 1959 or 60...I probably became a fan of the game a little older. But the Saturdays in Neyland on a beautiful fall afternoon have been some of the best memories of my life growing up in Knoxville. Btw, I was 5 or 6 when I started going to games...I'm OLD!
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: VOLveeta on August 27, 2012, 10:11:38 EDT Some dude hung me upside down and slapped my ass, making me cry and take in my first big breath... and suddenly it swept over me... ORANGE FEVER!
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: VoLynteer on August 28, 2012, 12:02:33 EDT I don't remember not being a fan. I first started watching football when I was 4 because I was jealous that my brother got to go to games with my daddy...so I went too.
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: BanditVol on August 28, 2012, 12:48:46 EDT I moved to Knoxville in 1982, and enjoyed Tennessee breaking the streak against bammer, which, even then, I could not stand. I was not really a fan though, but in 1985 I decided to attend UT and became a fan. Even then, I was kind of casual, but 1990 was my first season out of school and UT was on TV all the time and competitive, so I became a bigger fan. I think the miracle in South Bend sealed the deal. I had always been a Notre Dame fan as well, but when we got behind so far, the announcers went on about how Tennessee was "not in Notre Dame's class" and I got pissed, and started really pulling for UT like never before. I didn't think we had a shot, but we pulled it out. Since then I have been a UT fan first and foremost by a mile. No other team is even close.
It's been a rough 4-5 years, but I suspect things are about to turn around. Title: Re: Re: Re: Probably around 5 yrs old sitting at the kitchen table with my Post by: SmokeyJoe on August 28, 2012, 04:31:58 EDT dad listening to the Tennessee Volunteers play....his excitement and passion communicated to me that "this is who we are"! I've never considered that I had an option. :thumbup: Same for me. My family lived in Knoxville when I was 3 or 4... circa 68 or 69... my old man got hooked. I never had an option. Sent from my Kindle Fire using Tapatalk 2 Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: VinnieVOL on August 28, 2012, 02:43:39 EDT Nobody in my family was a big UT fan when I was growing up. My dad paid some attention but never much. For me, the interest was really triggered when I was in 6th grade. My teacher, as a way of getting us engaged in, paying attention to, and then writing about something, had us answer a series of questions and give a statistical summary of every UT football game. It was the 1990 season, and though I was not able to watch every game I remember a number of details because I had to read the Sunday paper for info every week. I remember the Colorado and Auburn ties, Webb's injury vs. Pacific, the ridiculous 9-6 loss to Alabama, and the Sugar Bowl win over UVA. home I don't think I got to see a game in Neyland Stadium until 1992, when I saw the opener vs. SWLA (Fulmer's debut as interim) and the loss to Arkansas that spelled the beginning of the end for Majors. That Arkansas game is one of my early Neyland memories too. I don't remember much about the game, but I remember other fans being really upset afterwards, as I will always remember the image if seat cushions being thrown from the upper deck. Around that time when I became really interested, I've gone with my Dad to every home game. His streak is still intact, not missing a single home game since he was a freshman at UT in the late 50's. Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: LouisVOL on August 28, 2012, 03:53:15 EDT My first game was the 1959 upset of LSU, but all I really remember vividly about the game is Cartwright running right in front of me with the INT, and how wild the crowd went after "The Stop". Don't have a great recollection of "The Stop", just the crowd reaction.
But the season that got me hooked for life was 1965--the 7-7 tie with bama when Snake threw the ball OB, Charlie Fulton goes down with an injury and a legend is born in the form of the Swamp Rat, the Rosebonnet bowl where I learned to hate all things UCLA for all time, and the terrible train crash that claimed three coaches, including Coach Bill Majors, who I had met on Friday night the previous week. It's been fun, and it's about to get fun again (I hope). Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: ReVOLver on August 28, 2012, 03:55:14 EDT My first game was 1983 vs. LSU.
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: Screaming Eagle Dad on August 28, 2012, 06:08:56 EDT Was born in Tennessee but raised in Ohio. Really did like Ohio State right up until they hired URban Myer. But when my family moved back to Tennessee in 1977 I had never seen such rabid love for any team in my life. It was infectious, a good infection to say the least. I'd watch the highlights on the news, and listen to John Ward call the games and really really started loving the Vols. But I fell in love with them when i first stepped in the stadium for a spring game in 1980.
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: CrossVol on August 28, 2012, 11:00:56 EDT That you were an orangeblooded VOL fan?? I had watched the VOLS since I was a kid but, the true turning point for me was the "Miracle at South Bend". It was a nice welcome home from Desert Storm for me! My first game, LSU in 1975. Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: BanditVol on August 29, 2012, 05:01:55 EDT His streak is still intact, not missing a single home game since he was a freshman at UT in the late 50's. Do you have any idea how that compares to others? Are there other fans with longer streaks? Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: buckyvol on August 29, 2012, 12:59:09 EDT 1980, first game I ever attended, Georgia-Tennessee. Best seats I ever had (50 yard line, front row, upper deck). We should have won that game. Herschel - Schmerschel.
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: Ridge Runner on August 29, 2012, 08:41:54 EDT Like others on the board I was more or less born a Tennessee fan as my father was from New Tazewell, Tennessee (about 35 miles north of Knoxville) and he instilled in me a love of the Big Orange. My first memories of UT football was the 1970 season Tim Priest, Bobby Majors, Jackie Walker, Bobby Scott, Curt Watson. My first game was the 1971 Georgia Tech game, won by UT 10-6. I was only 8 at the time but I can still remember Jackie Walker hurling his helmet halfway across the field because he was pissed when GT scored their TD.
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: jaxvol on August 31, 2012, 03:39:14 EDT November 10, 1979 Vols vs. Notre Dame. First home game, 13 years old became VFL!
Title: Re: When did you know.... Post by: buckyvol on August 31, 2012, 11:59:06 EDT 1980 Tennessee Geogia. The best seat I ever had, first game too. Way beyond any semblence of sobriety, we cursed Herschel, and lost a game that slipped through our fingers. Next week was USC, another squeaker.
1982 'Bama game was the best I remember. Just awesome. Grain cups raining from the sky. |