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UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE SPORTS

News from the Hill
Jay Kersting 
Sports Director
WUTK 90.3 FM
It has been a very busy and exciting week at the University of Tennessee. Students had
their second week on campus after spring break so that meant a lot of tests to be taken.
However, most people in East Tennessee cared more about the activities of the Vols
Athletic Department.
The week started with a look at the known - - namely the Coach Phillip Fulmer led
Football Volunteers starting their second week of spring practice. The Vols completed
their first week of Spring Practice with a scrimmage on March 31st after learning of a
knee injury to offensive tackle Michael Munoz. Coach Fulmer and his staff were not going
to let that slow down their practice schedule. On Tuesday, the team continued their
workouts at Neyland Stadium in a light rain with lots of rotation on the offensive line.
Coach Fulmer said on Thursday that he has been pleased with the progress of the offensive
linemen and hopes to develop enough talent this spring and summer to have lots of depth
on the line. Be assured that Coach Fulmer and his entire staff are looking forward to the
Orange and White Game on April 21st and to welcoming the latest recruiting class to
Knoxville this summer.
Of course there was some other news up on the hill this week. In case you missed it, the
Men's Basketball Team has a new coach. Robert "Buzz" Peterson is coming to lead the Vols
to the next level of the college basketball hierarchy. Coach Peterson comes to Knoxville
after a season at Tulsa where he led his team to the National Invitational Tournament
championship. Prior to his stint at Tulsa, he was head coach of Appalachian State
University in Boone, North Carolina. But what most people recall about Coach Peterson is
that he was Michael Jordan's roommate when they played for Dean Smith at the University
of North Carolina, winning the NCAA Championship in 1982.
Coach Peterson brings a lot of excitement and energy to the Volunteers. The players
seemed enthusiastic after their first meeting with Coach Peterson. Jenis Grindstaff said
that having the coaching decision finalized will allow the team to focus on the next
season and really likes the enthusiasm that Coach Peterson brings. Forward Ron Slay said
that Peterson has already challenged him to a game of pool. Peterson feels that he needs
to get to know his players outside of just what they do on the court. So Ron Slay will be
able to tell us shortly who is better with a pool cue.
Look for some big changes in how the Volunteers Men's Basketball team and staff interact
with the East Tennessee community. Coach Peterson is the son of a University of Tennessee
graduate and has family all around East Tennessee. That personal connection is what will
drive Coach Peterson to set roots in our community.
Coach Peterson and family, Welcome to East Tennessee!!!
In other sports, the Diamond Vols host the Alabama Crimson Tide this weekend at Lindsay
Nelson Stadium. This season Coach Rod Delmonico has one of his most talented teams in a
few seasons. If you like to watch baseball with players who steal bases and turn singles
into doubles, and doubles into triples, come on down and check them out. The games are
Friday at 7:00 P.M. and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 P.M.
Lady Vols Tennis team remains ranked in the Top Five in the NCAA. Strong play in both
singles and doubles is keeping the team among the best in the nation. Good Job Ladies!!!
Bibliography
Press releases from UT Lady Vols Media Relations Office.
Press releases from UT Volunteers Sports Information Office.