- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,195,273
- Reaction score
- 59
My inbox tells me college football season isn’t far away. All my emails from literary contributions were college football related.
David demonstrated knowledge seldom evident in this column when he pointed out why coaches can’t put football players on track scholarship. Randy wanted to know “What happened to UT’s museum?” And Jimmy – for the eighth or ninth time – stressed that Tennessee will need a new football coach in 2028.
Randy writes: I would like to know why UT does not have a sports museum. I know UT once had one, and it was kept in good shape.
With all the championships and great players, UT has plenty to display. And with all the money being spent, this would be a wise investment.
My response: I also remember Tennessee’s “museum,” which included wax figures of Peyton Manning and Tee Martin. As I recall, there was a faint resemblance, but the statues wound up in a closet somewhere.
I consulted with Bud Ford, UT’s longtime sports information director who now serves as Tennessee’s historian emeritus.
His response: “At one time, we had a display in the Neyland Thompson Sports Center. However, with building expansion and new additions, that space became the tv/video center studio.
“Many of the artifacts have been moved to the new Founder’s Club at Neyland Stadium. This, however, is not open to the public.”
Sounds like your museum was a victim of progress, Randy.
David writes: In a recent column, you mentioned how football transfer players could be put on track scholarships.
“So, what’s to stop a college program from adding a football transfer in May and putting him on a track scholarship?”
Believe me, football coaches had this bright idea decades ago which prompted a rule that states “the student-athlete's scholarship must legally and fully count against the scholarship limits of football or men's basketball (revenue generating sports), rather than a non-revenue sport like track & field."
The best recent example of this rule at Tennessee was Todd Helton, who was on a football scholarship by rule, so he didn’t count against baseball’s 11.7 scholarship limit at the time. What a benefit for a generational player and only the second SEC player in Cooperstown.
My response: Thanks, David. I’ve just added you to my list of “most knowledgeable literary contributors.” You didn’t face stiff competition.
That rule was well intended. But I wonder if it would hold up in court now. Most NCAA rules don’t.
Jimmy writes: I read your column about Vols football in 2027. He’ll get a pass this year with a new QB but when he flops in 2027, he will be out.
I first told you this in November 2025. Danny Boy needs to start his list now for the new coach in 2028.
My response: Few college administrators are as farsighted as you. But there’s no need to wait on the AD.
Send me your list of Tennessee coaching candidates for the 2028 season, so my other readers can critique your candidates.
Shemp writes: Danny White and Coach Hopeful must be thrilled that they dodged a bullet and didn't sign pathological gambler Brendan Scoreless for $4 million, thereby avoiding all the negative publicity he would have gotten for UT.
Will he be giving money back to Texas Tech?
My response: Reliable sources tell me Brendan Sorsby’s check to Texas Tech is in the mail. But I wouldn’t bet on it.
Colorado Mark writes: As a former - now reformed - football addict, (never had enough money to be a gambling addict), all I can say is: Whether it’s Lane Kiffin or Brendan Sorsby or whoever, at this point what difference does it make?
Everybody's getting paid, (probably even the refs). As long as the fans show up and keep opening their wallets, it’s allllllllllllll gooooood.
My response: Glad that your addiction days are behind you. I might have been headed down that same road when I was editor of the Fort Riley (Kansas) Post while serving Uncle Sam.
As I’ve mentioned before, my short-lived betting career peaked in the 1972 Orange Bowl when my net worth was $50. I borrowed $50 from a friend and bet $100 on Nebraska to cover a 7 ½-point spread against Alabama. The Cornhuskers won easily, and I briefly considered the possibility that “I might have a knack for this.”
Subsequent bets proved otherwise.
More: Maybe, Tennessee football could benefit from a track transfer
Heather writes: Quick question: Are you working on any summer "Best Of" lists, local dining guides, or seasonal food roundups?
My response: Quicker answer: No.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Reader wants to know what happened to Tennessee's football museum
Continue reading...
David demonstrated knowledge seldom evident in this column when he pointed out why coaches can’t put football players on track scholarship. Randy wanted to know “What happened to UT’s museum?” And Jimmy – for the eighth or ninth time – stressed that Tennessee will need a new football coach in 2028.
Randy writes: I would like to know why UT does not have a sports museum. I know UT once had one, and it was kept in good shape.
With all the championships and great players, UT has plenty to display. And with all the money being spent, this would be a wise investment.
My response: I also remember Tennessee’s “museum,” which included wax figures of Peyton Manning and Tee Martin. As I recall, there was a faint resemblance, but the statues wound up in a closet somewhere.
I consulted with Bud Ford, UT’s longtime sports information director who now serves as Tennessee’s historian emeritus.
His response: “At one time, we had a display in the Neyland Thompson Sports Center. However, with building expansion and new additions, that space became the tv/video center studio.
“Many of the artifacts have been moved to the new Founder’s Club at Neyland Stadium. This, however, is not open to the public.”
Sounds like your museum was a victim of progress, Randy.
David writes: In a recent column, you mentioned how football transfer players could be put on track scholarships.
“So, what’s to stop a college program from adding a football transfer in May and putting him on a track scholarship?”
Believe me, football coaches had this bright idea decades ago which prompted a rule that states “the student-athlete's scholarship must legally and fully count against the scholarship limits of football or men's basketball (revenue generating sports), rather than a non-revenue sport like track & field."
The best recent example of this rule at Tennessee was Todd Helton, who was on a football scholarship by rule, so he didn’t count against baseball’s 11.7 scholarship limit at the time. What a benefit for a generational player and only the second SEC player in Cooperstown.
My response: Thanks, David. I’ve just added you to my list of “most knowledgeable literary contributors.” You didn’t face stiff competition.
That rule was well intended. But I wonder if it would hold up in court now. Most NCAA rules don’t.
Jimmy writes: I read your column about Vols football in 2027. He’ll get a pass this year with a new QB but when he flops in 2027, he will be out.
I first told you this in November 2025. Danny Boy needs to start his list now for the new coach in 2028.
My response: Few college administrators are as farsighted as you. But there’s no need to wait on the AD.
Send me your list of Tennessee coaching candidates for the 2028 season, so my other readers can critique your candidates.
Shemp writes: Danny White and Coach Hopeful must be thrilled that they dodged a bullet and didn't sign pathological gambler Brendan Scoreless for $4 million, thereby avoiding all the negative publicity he would have gotten for UT.
Will he be giving money back to Texas Tech?
My response: Reliable sources tell me Brendan Sorsby’s check to Texas Tech is in the mail. But I wouldn’t bet on it.
Colorado Mark writes: As a former - now reformed - football addict, (never had enough money to be a gambling addict), all I can say is: Whether it’s Lane Kiffin or Brendan Sorsby or whoever, at this point what difference does it make?
Everybody's getting paid, (probably even the refs). As long as the fans show up and keep opening their wallets, it’s allllllllllllll gooooood.
My response: Glad that your addiction days are behind you. I might have been headed down that same road when I was editor of the Fort Riley (Kansas) Post while serving Uncle Sam.
As I’ve mentioned before, my short-lived betting career peaked in the 1972 Orange Bowl when my net worth was $50. I borrowed $50 from a friend and bet $100 on Nebraska to cover a 7 ½-point spread against Alabama. The Cornhuskers won easily, and I briefly considered the possibility that “I might have a knack for this.”
Subsequent bets proved otherwise.
More: Maybe, Tennessee football could benefit from a track transfer
Heather writes: Quick question: Are you working on any summer "Best Of" lists, local dining guides, or seasonal food roundups?
My response: Quicker answer: No.
John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Reader wants to know what happened to Tennessee's football museum
Continue reading...
