New evidence that Tennessee Vols are determined to dominate the SEC in every sport
The Tennessee Vols are absolutely not messing around when it comes to athletics. UT has been a national punchline for over a decade when it comes to most sports — but that's rapidly changing under athletic director Danny White. According to Football Scoop's John Brice, Tennessee proposed a new budget this week that includes significant […]
The Tennessee Vols are absolutely not messing around when it comes to athletics.
UT has been a national punchline for over a decade when it comes to most sports — but that's rapidly changing under athletic director Danny White.
According to Football Scoop's John Brice, Tennessee proposed a new budget this week that includes significant commitments to upgrading multiple UT athletic venues.
The budget includes $7 million for Neyland Stadium maintenance (that's in addition to the current upgrades happening at Neyland).
It also includes $56.8 million for Lindsey Nelson Stadium, home of Tennessee's baseball team.
Additionally, the budget includes $28.3 million for a new "Thompson-Boling Arena Club" inside the Vols' basketball arena.
There's also money in the budget proposal for a new indoor track facility, the Thornton Athletics Center, the Jones Aquatic Center, the volleyball program, and the tennis program.
In total, there was $200 million requested for athletics in the proposal.
The $56.8 million requested for Lindsey Nelson Stadium is particularly important. Tennessee has the best baseball team in the country right now, which means other programs are going to continue to covet Vols head coach Tony Vitello. I don't think Vitello is going anywhere, but having this money designated for Lindsey Nelson Stadium upgrades will help make sure the UT head coach doesn't leave for another job. Upgrading Lindsey Nelson Stadium is something that's been very important to Vitello in recent years.
If this budget is approved, it would represent a colossal commitment by Tennessee to athletics.
This is the type of commitment that elite programs make to athletics. And it's clear that Danny White is determined to make Tennessee elite in every way possible
Featured image via Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services
