It’s Dollywood and Dollywood Splash Country Wristband time!
107.7WIVK is celebrating summer and we are giving you the gifts!
We’re traveling all over East Tennessee Food City’s giving away Dollywood Wristbands for free admission to Dollywood on WIVK Day/Labor Day and Dollywood Splash Country on August 31st or Labor Day, presented by East Tennessee Children’s Hospital!
Download the WIVK APP and listen to the stream to find out what Food City locations and times we will be giving them away!
Dollywood Splash Country wristband distribution rules and guidelines
The Dollywood wristbands are very popular! Each wristband is good for one free admission to Dollywood Splash Country on Sunday, August 31st, 2025 or Monday, September 1st, 2025.
On the date of the wristband distribution, you may arrive at the announced location and get in the wristband cue line. Wristbands will be handed out until the amount of wristbands designated for that distribution date have been given out to WIVK listeners.
The WIVK promotions staff will give out one wristband per person to listeners age 4 & up. (age 3 and under are admitted free to Dollywood). You must be present to receive a wristband.
Dollywood wristband distribution rules and guidelines
The Dollywood wristbands are very popular! Each wristband is good for one free admission to Dollywood Theme Park Splash Country on Monday, September 1st, 2025.
On the date of the wristband distribution, you may arrive at the announced location and get in the wristband cue line. Wristbands will be handed out until the amount of wristbands designated for that distribution date have been given out to WIVK listeners.
The WIVK promotions staff will give out one wristband per person to listeners age 4 & up. (age 3 and under are admitted free to Dollywood). You must be present to receive a wristband.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee baseball legend Todd Helton is headed to Cooperstown after being selected for induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, as revealed by the MLB Network on Tuesday evening.
In his sixth year eligible for selection, Helton appeared on 79.7 percent of the ballots from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, surpassing the 75 percent threshold. He becomes just the second player in Southeastern Conference history to be voted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, joining Auburn’s Frank Thomas (2014).
Selected with the eighth overall pick in the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft by Colorado, Helton spent his entire 17-year Major League career with the Rockies and is still the franchise leader in games played (2,247), runs scored (1,401), hits (2,519), doubles (592), home runs (369), RBI (1,406), total bases (4,292) and walks (1,335).
Helton was a five-time MLB All-Star (2000-04), four-time Sliver Slugger award winner (2000-03), three-time Gold Glove winner (2001, 2002, 2004) and won the National League batting title in 2000. He also helped lead the Rockies to their first and only World Series appearance in franchise history in 2007. Helton joins Larry Walker as the second Rockies’ player to be enshrined in Cooperstown.
Already a member of the Tennessee Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2008), the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame (Class of 2017) and the National College Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 2021), Helton had arguably the most decorated and dominant career of any player in program history and is still considered one of the greatest two-way players to ever play at the collegiate level.
During his time on Rocky Top, Helton was a standout performer at the plate and on the mound, setting numerous program records during his storied career. The Knoxville native still sits atop UT’s record book in career RBI (238), walks (147) and saves (23). He also holds single-season records for runs batted in (92 in 1995), earned run average (0.89 in 1994) and saves (12 in 1995).
Helton earned a multitude of national awards and accolades during his three seasons on Rocky Top, including winning the 1995 Dick Howser Trophy and earning National Player of the Year honors by the American Baseball Coaches Association, Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball Newspaper. Helton was also named the 1995 SEC Player of the Year, a two-time first-team All-American (1994 & 1995) and a Freshman All-American (1993).
In his final season at UT, Helton helped lead the Volunteers to 1995 SEC regular season and tournament titles, as well as their first Men’s College World Series appearance in 44 years.
“What Todd Helton did for the Colorado Rockies organization is nothing short of legendary,” Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello said. “Nonetheless, folks here think just as highly of all he has accomplished in our great state. What he has done in this community prior to, during and after his time on Rocky Top may never be duplicated.
“He went from being a local superstar in high school to being a hometown representative for the University of Tennessee here in Knoxville. As many I’m sure have mentioned, he was not just a two-way standout on the baseball field but also a legit two-sport athlete. Athleticism helped create those opportunities, but extreme competitiveness helped fuel his success. Ever since his days of success in Major League Baseball have concluded, he has given back to UT in every way you can possibly imagine. He truly deserves every bit of love he receives from Vol Nation.”
The official induction ceremony for the 2024 Hall of Fame selections will take place in Cooperstown, New York on July 21.
For more information on Helton’s Hall of Fame selection and this year’s National Baseball Hall of Fame Class, click HERE.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The University of Tennessee announced Wednesday that its men’s basketball game today against Alabama will be dubbed an “Orange Out.”
Fans are encouraged to arrive early and wear orange Tennessee attire to Food City Center for the matchup. Doors to the arena open at 12:30 p.m. and tip-off is set for 2 p.m.
In addition, the first 2,000 students in attendance will receive an “Orange Out” shirt for the matchup between a pair of teams in the top seven nationally in NET, KenPom, ESPN BPI and BartTorvik metrics rankings.
The contest between No. 6/7 Tennessee (13-4, 3-1 SEC) and Alabama (12-5, 4-0 SEC) is sold out and will be televised live on ESPN2. It is the third of six confirmed sellouts at Food City Center this season, a new venue record for the Volunteers.
Limited tickets are still available for just three remaining home games. Fans can buy their seats for the Jan. 30 contest against South Carolina HERE, the Feb. 7 outing versus LSU HERE and the Feb. 17 meeting with Vanderbilt HERE.
To keep up with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team on social media, follow @Vol_Hoops on Instagram and X/Twitter, as well as /tennesseebasketball on Facebook.
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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The Volunteers donned shoulder pads for the first time this fall as Tennessee football took Haslam Field Saturday morning for practice No. 3 of preseason training camp. After practice, linebackers coach William Inge spoke to local media about his unit’s progression through the first three on-field sessions of camp.
The second-year assistant has a veteran tandem in Arion Carter and Jeremiah Telander, and the room has leaned on their experience and leadership in preparation for the season opener – four weeks from Saturday when the Vols take on Syracuse at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Aug. 30.
“We’re always teaching leadership,” Inge said about his returning starters from 2024. “From a leadership standpoint, (Carter and Telander) have evolved into being better leaders. Most of the time that’s going to happen with what you have to do with your actions and what you have to do, what you call sweat equity, the work that you put in around your teammates because everyone is going to see that.
“If you have great actions, everyone is going to be able to follow you. Luckily those guys can act and speak about it, so what you’re seeing is a culmination of some of those things that have happened over the last year and a half or two years for them.”
Inge has been pleased with the depth of the room and the acclimation of three true freshman linebackers in Brenden Anes, Jaedon Harmon and Jadon Perlotte. Anes was a full participant during 2025 spring practice, while Harmon and Perlotte are seeing their first on-field action this fall after recovering from offseason procedures.
“We’ve been very pleased with the depth that we have in the room thus far and when it comes to the younger backers,” Inge said. “Primarily from Jadon Perlotte, Jaedon Harmon – who were not here in the spring – it’s been a pleasant surprise to see those guys, probably from number one, a preparation standpoint, but also from a skills standpoint, seeing the things they can bring to the table. It’s been really good. And then, you throw in Brenden Anes, who actually got to be here during the winter period, in the bowl prep and in the spring. It just adds to the depth and to the competition in the room.”
Full comments from Inge’s media availability can be viewed below. The Vols return to the Anderson Training Center Sunday morning for the fourth practice of fall camp.
Tennessee Football Press Conference | Aug. 2, 2025
On what he’s seen out of the younger linebackers… “We’ve been very pleased with the depth that we have in the room thus far and when it comes to the younger backers, primarily from Jadon Perlotte, Jaedon Harmon – who were not here in the spring – it’s been a pleasant surprise to see those guys, probably from number one, a preparation standpoint, but also from a skills standpoint, seeing the things they can bring to the table. It’s been really good and then you throw in Brenden Anes, who actually got to be here during the winter period, in the bowl prep and in the spring. It just adds to the depth and to the competition in the room.”
On Arion Carter’s work ethic and growth… “I think that what you see, he’s been probably consistent. It’s still been the same scenario. When you come here in the morning, he’ll be the first one here. (If) you come here at night, he’ll be the last one leaving. And now, I think from a leadership standpoint, what he’s done has really turned into the player-led organization part of the program where he’s making sure the rest of the guys are doing some of those same things. So, it’s not just him dealing with the linebackers, but him also dealing with the secondary, the D-Line, the O-Line and just his communication that he has around the guys on the team. That’s what you want when you take the next step in leadership. He’s also doing the same thing. We talk all the time where, ‘in order for you to be a dominant linebacker or dominant player that is known, it is about leadership and production, and he is producing on the field as well.'”
On Arion Carter’s and Jeremiah Telander’s leadership qualities… “Those are the things that we teach, and we talk daily about. The one thing that we’re teaching and preaching, and from my perspective leading, is we’re always teaching leadership. From a leadership standpoint, they have evolved into being better leaders. Most of the time that’s going to happen with what you have to do with your actions and what you have to do, what you call sweat equity, the work that you put in around your teammates because everyone is going to see that. You can be a very good leader with you having to say nothing, but you happen to have great actions. If you have great actions, everyone is going to be able to follow you. Luckily those guys can act and speak about, so that’s what you’re seeing is a culmination of some of those things that have happened over the last year and a half or two years for them.”
On how he saw Jadon Perlotte and Jaeden Harmon handle being out during the spring and how he saw them maximize everything they were doing mentally… “Some of that is for sure the things that I have to be able to do because you don’t know for sure what their level of preparation is, what their level of teaching was kind of beforehand. You could think about what it may be, but I’ve definitely been pleased. From a preparation standpoint, to see the work that they put in to make sure they’re right, you can see immediately Jaedon Harmon, he got under the wing of Arion Carter. It could not have been any better. To see (Jadon) Perlotte somehow matriculate to be somehow under the wing of (Jeremiah) Telander. It’s something I didn’t really have to push to see Perlotte and Brenden Anes get under Telander because they are both playing the MIKE (middle linebacker) positions. Seeing them, I think their biggest asset has been their level of preparation. I told them in the spring, you are not getting the physical rep, but you have to get the mental rep. So, whenever we go to walkthroughs or practices, there are some things we would look at one-on-one. Just seeing them understand how it applied now that they have had the opportunity to do some of those things, you can see they are learning double just in the four practices now that they have had a chance to experience it. With them, you do something good, I tell them, keep it in a jar. So, when it comes out again, you can remember it. If it is something that wasn’t so good, ‘hey, let’s throw it out and remember it needs to be this.’ They’ve been very good with the correction phase.”
On what has allowed him to stack up talent in the linebacker room… “Recruiting is a constant process. The one thing I want to do in my room is to have the very best platform for everyone to be able to go in and play. I tell them, if you are prepared and you understand how not to beat yourself, you will have a chance to play. Something I take a lot of pride in, for me from a coaching standpoint, is putting our players in positions where they all can play. That’s what I tell them in the recruiting process. If you do what you are supposed to do, you are going to have a chance to play. That’s what we want to be able to do. That’s our job now that you have a brand in that Power T, which is the mighty icon of the SEC. You can go into any home and sell them the vision that is very real. And it’s a real vision, because when they push play, they see it. They see it and our reputation, it really destroys our past.”
On Edwin Spillman’s growth, and the expectations for his role this season… “Edwin would be what you would call, ‘the monster of the room’ because he doesn’t have to speak a lot, because you have Arion (Carter) and (Jeremiah) Telander there. But, when he does speak, he is very active, and he is someone who is, literally, biting the heels off of those guys when it comes to his performance, his actions, his leadership and his trust level. So, he is someone that we have a high regard for when it comes to putting him on the football field.”
On how he handles coaching a room with both veteran experience and youth… “Well, we tell them, ‘the life that you’re going to be in is like drinking from a firehose.’ But also, I want to make sure that you know – even though some of the guys like Arion (Carter) and (Jeremiah) Telander have playing experience, I keep the heat turned up on them as well so that they don’t know that they’re an experienced player. What I’m able to do is give them level 300 questions to some of the situations and I can give level 100 questions to some of the younger players and bring them along slowly but surely. And luckily, as we have time and you endure the growth process, everyone still gets matriculated into the same system and same teachings. So, that is something that we’ve done with our process, is a lot of times with the young guys, I do get a lot of time with our young guys, specifically only them, so that I can bring them along. We also bring in the older guys, the veterans that have played before, so they can get with them and bring them along. That’s how you become player led. That’s our mission, to make sure that the separation isn’t so far between the players that don’t have a lot of playing experience combined with the players that do have a lot of playing experience because, in our system and in the world that we live in, young guys don’t have time to be young.”
On the resemblance of some of the younger players to the likes Carter and Telander… “Absolutely. When you talk about seeing flashes, holy smokes. Let’s just say with (Jadon) Perlotte, I have to keep a rope on him because he is the one where you have to say, ‘woah’ instead of ‘sic ’em.’ When the ball is snapped, he goes at 150 miles per hour, all the time. (Jaedon) Harmon is your quiet leader. He’ll be so prepared, and he knows and understands everything that is going on. He is like a slither as he finds his way around and he’s always around the football. That’s exactly what you want and what we’ve seen the last couple of days.”
On the next step for Carter and Telander as players and where they need to grow this season… “I think, just for them, being consistent at the point of attack. That is our number one mission. When you’re at the point of attack, you have to be able to make your play. That’s been our main sight now, is getting to the point of attack, and now, let’s not just make the tackle, let’s create a takeaway. That’s how you take the next step.”
On what will set Edwin Spillman apart this season… “His ability to attack. He’s the combination of both Arion (Carter), with his speed and physicality, and (Jeremiah) Telander, with his ability to run through a wall. If you had a brick wall up, he’s like the Incredible Hulk, because he is going through the wall. That’s what we love about Edwin. And that’s why he’s going to continue to keep on rising. He’s like yeast, every day he gets better, he gets taller, he gets bigger, everything that you want out of a player. It’s a blessing to have him on our football team.”
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Tennessee place kicker Max Gilbert was named to the 2025 Lou Groza Award Watch List on Friday by the Palm Beach County Sports Commission.
An in-state product from Memphis, Gilbert connected on 20-of-26 field goals and was a perfect 54-of-54 on PATs in 2024. He totaled 114 points, which ranked sixth in UT single-season history. His tally was fourth among all players in the SEC.
Gilbert hit on 3-of-6 field goals from 50 or more yards with a career-high 52-yarder against Georgia.
The strong-legged kicker was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week last season after connecting on all three of his field goal attempts and both PATs, including a long of 41 yards in his SEC debut on the road at No. 15 Oklahoma.
He then garnered Lou Groza Award “Star of the Week” following a 4-for-4 day against Mississippi State.
The Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award will announce its 20 semifinalists on Tuesday, November 18th. From this list, a panel of more than 100 FBS head coaches, SIDs, media members, former Groza finalists, and current NFL kickers selects the top three finalists for the award, announced on Tuesday, November 25th. That same group then selects the national winner, who will be announced on Friday, December 12th, during the Home Depot College Football Awards on ESPN.
The 34th Annual Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award, presented by the Orange Bowl, recognizes the three finalists during a celebration in Palm Beach County, culminating with a gala awards banquet on December 8th in West Palm Beach, Florida.
2025 Tennessee Football Preseason Honors Head Coach Josh Heupel Dodd Trophy Watch List
DeSean Bishop, RB, R-So. Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Arion Carter, LB, Jr. Butkus Award Watch List Second Team All-SEC (Athlon) Third Team All-SEC (Media)
Boo Carter, DB, So. Third Team All-SEC (Media) Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Bryson Eason, DL, R-Sr. Allstate Wuerffel Trophy Watch List Allstate/AFCA Good Works Team Nominee Third Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Jermod McCoy, DB, Jr. Jim Thorpe Award Watch List Nagurski Trophy Watch List Lott IMPACT Trophy Watch List First Team All-American (Athlon, PFF, Walter Camp) First Team All-SEC (Athlon, Media)
Jackson Ross, P, R-Jr. Fourth Team All-SEC (Athlon)
Tennessee Women’s Basketball Head Coach Kim Caldwell shared her program’s non-conference schedule on Friday, and nine of the Lady Vols’ opponents saw postseason play in 2024-25, including four teams ranked in ESPN’s 2025-26 “Way Too Early” Top 25.
Among them are 2025 NCAA Final Four participants UConn and UCLA. The defending champion Huskies are No. 2 in ESPN’s preseason poll, while UCLA is No. 3, and UT will face both on the road. The Big Orange women also face No. 9 NC State in the season opener and No. 17 Louisville at the Shark Beauty Women’s Champions Classic in neutral site contests in Greensboro, N.C. and Brooklyn, N.Y., respectively.
“Including our conference opponents, our schedule includes the top six teams and 10 of the top 20-ranked programs in the early preseason polls,” Caldwell said. “We have our work cut out for us, but I believe our challenging non-conference opponents will better prepare us for what we’re going to see in the Southeastern Conference.
“We’re a little out of balance in terms of home and away ranked opponents, and that’s something that takes some time to even out. We’ll continue to work on it going forward, but I think this year it will allow us to really test our players and get them ready for conference play.”
After facing three in-state non-league opponents a year ago, Tennessee will face four this season, including Belmont and East Tennessee State at home and Middle Tennessee State and UT Martin on the road. The Lady Vols will travel to Belmont and host MTSU in 2026-27.
Including previously announced SEC opponents, UT is guaranteed to play 14 of its 28 total contests vs. teams making last year’s NCAA field. The total of foes seeing postseason action rises to 20 when including those who competed in the 2025 WBIT and WNIT events.
Including SEC games, ten match-ups for the Big Orange in 2025-26 will be against teams ranked in the ESPN Way-Too-Early preseason poll. Among them are home tilts vs. No. 4 Texas and No. 17 Vanderbilt, road contests at No. 1 South Carolina, No. 2 UConn, No. 3 UCLA, No. 5 LSU, No. 6 Oklahoma and No. 13 Ole Miss, and neutral site battles with No. 9 NC State and No. 17 Louisville. Season tickets are available now at AllVols.com.
The Lady Vols take the floor for their first contest on Oct. 29, as Columbus State (Ga.) comes to Knoxville for an exhibition. The Lady Vols then begin the regular season vs. No. 9 NC State in the Battle of the ‘Boro on Nov. 4 before returning to Food City Center to welcome East Tennessee State for the home opener on Nov. 7. Caldwell’s club appears at home twice more during the month vs. Belmont on Nov. 13 and against Coppin State on Nov. 23, and it plays at UT Martin on Nov. 9, Middle Tennessee State on Nov. 20 and No. 3 UCLA on Nov. 30.
December begins with the second game of a West Coast swing at Stanford as part of the ACC-SEC Challenge on Dec. 3, followed by Winthrop at home on Dec. 14, vs. No. 17 Louisville at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Dec. 20 and then Southern Indiana at Food City Center on Dec. 22 to close out the 2025 portion of the schedule. A trip to face UConn concludes the non-conference slate of games on Feb. 1, with the contest slated to be held at PeoplesBank Arena in Hartford.
Columbus State – Exhibition Game (Oct. 29)
This is the first meeting between UT and CSU.
The Cougars compete at the NCAA Division II level and made the Southeast Regional Round of 32 last season.
CSU was 21-9 in 2024-25 and 14-4 in the Peach Belt Conference.
Vs. NC. State in Greensboro, N.C. (Nov. 4)
NC State is ranked No. 9 in ESPN’s “Way Too Early” Top 25.
This marks the 17th meeting between these programs.
Tennessee leads the series, 12-4.
The teams last met on March 25, 2024, when the Wolfpack prevailed, 79-72, in the NCAA Second Round in Raleigh.
NC State finished 28-7, tied for the ACC regular-season title at 16-2 and advanced to the NCAA Sweet 16 last season.
East Tennessee State (Nov. 7)
This marks the 29th meeting between these schools in women’s basketball.
UT leads the all-time series, 25-2-1, and has won the past 23 times they’ve met.
The teams last met in Knoxville on Dec. 20, 2021, with the Lady Vols winning, 112-58.
The Buccaneers finished 17-13 a year ago, finishing 8-6 in the Southern Conference.
At UT Martin (Nov. 9)
This marks the 18th meeting between these teams
Tennessee leads the all-time series, 15-2
The teams last met on Nov. 7, 2024, with the Lady Vols prevailing, 90-50.
The Skyhawks finished 13-19 a year ago, including 10-10 in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Belmont (Nov. 13)
This marks the 12th meeting between these programs.
The Bruins lead the all-time series, 6-5.
The teams last met on March 21, 2022, with UT getting a late Sara Puckett trey to hold on, 70-67, in the NCAA Second Round in Knoxville.
Belmont was 26-13 overall and 15-5 in the Missouri Valley Conference last season.
BU advanced to the WBIT Championship game before falling to Minnesota, 75-63.
At Middle Tennessee (Nov. 20)
This is the 25th meeting between these programs
UT is 23-1 all-time vs. Middle Tennessee
The Lady Vols claimed an 89-75 victory over the Blue Raiders in the last meeting on Nov. 12, 2024, in Knoxville.
MTSU was 26-9 a year ago, tying for first in Conference USA at 16-2.
The Blue Raiders fell in the WBIT First Round to Belmont.
Coppin State (Nov. 23)
This will mark the first-ever meeting between these programs.
CSU is located in Baltimore and is a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.
The Eagles are coached by Darrell Mosley, who is in his first season after serving as an assistant coach and then associate head coach at Arizona State since 2022.
Coppin State finished 19-15 overall and 8-6 in the MEAC in 2024-25.
CSU advanced to the second round of the WNIT before bowing out.
At UCLA (Nov. 30)
UCLA is ranked No. 3 in ESPN’s “Way Too Early” Top 25.
This will mark the 22nd meeting between these programs.
Tennessee leads the all-time series, 18-3.
The last meeting occurred on Nov. 20, 2022, when the Bruins claimed an 80-63 victory over the Lady Vols in the Battle 4 Atlantis at Paradise Island, Bahamas.
UCLA went 34-3 overall and finished second in the Big Ten last season at 16-2.
The Bruins advanced to their first-ever NCAA Final Four in 2025, falling to UConn in the semifinals, 85-51.
At Stanford (Dec. 3)
This will be the 40th meeting between these programs.
Tennessee leads the all-time series, 25-14.
The teams last met on Dec. 18, 2022, with the No. 2-ranked Cardinal prevailing, 77-70.
Stanford finished 16-15 overall and 8-10 in ACC play a year ago.
SU missed the 2025 NCAA Tournament but appeared in the WBIT before falling in the first round to Portland.
Winthrop (Dec. 14)
This is the seventh meeting between Tennessee and Winthrop.
UT holds a 4-2 advantage in the series.
The teams last met on Dec. 29, 2024, with the Lady Vols racing to a 114-50 victory.
Winthrop finished 16-15 last season, including 9-7 in the Big South.
LVFL Semeka Randall Lay has led the Eagles since 2020-21.
Vs. Louisville in Brooklyn, N.Y. (Dec. 20)
Louisville is ranked No. 17 in ESPN’s “Way Too Early” Top 25.
This will mark the sixth meeting between the Lady Vols and Cardinals.
UL holds a 3-2 lead in the all-time series.
Louisville defeated UT, 76-64, in Wichita, Kan., on March 26, 2022, in the NCAA Sweet 16 the last time these squads met.
The Cardinals finished 22-11 a year ago, including 13-5 in the ACC.
UL fell in the 2025 NCAA Second Round at TCU.
Southern Indiana (Dec. 22)
This will mark the first meeting between these programs.
Southern Indiana is coached by Rick Stein.
USI went 23-13, including 12-8 in the Ohio Valley Conference, last season.
The Eagles advanced to the second round of the 2025 WNIT.
Last season, Southern Indiana lost a 67-63 heart-breaker at Indiana on Dec. 4.
At UConn (Feb. 1)
Ranked No. 2 in ESPN’s “Way Too Early” Top 25.
This will mark the 28th meeting between Tennessee and UConn.
The Huskies hold a 17-10 all-time series lead.
No. 19/17 Tennessee won last year’s contest, 80-76, in Knoxville over No. 5 UConn to end a four-game losing skid in the series.
The Huskies finished 37-3 overall and 18-0 a year ago to capture the BIG EAST Conference crown.
After losing at UT, the Huskies won their last 16 games of the season to claim the 2025 NCAA Championship.
Overton County, TN (WOKI) A joint investigation is underway after a body is found Thursday in a burning refrigerator on the side of a road in Middle Tennessee.
Officials with the Overton County Sheriff’s Office say deputies responded to a report of a refrigerator on fire on the side of Sunk Cane Road in the early morning hours of Thursday.
Upon arrival, deputies found a body in the burning refrigerator.
Detectives and agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation also responded to the scene.
The body has been sent to the medical examiner’s office for an autopsy, and the TBI has collected the refrigerator and taken it to its Nashville lab.
Anyone with information is asked to please call the TBI or the OCSO.
Deputies responded to a report of a refrigerator on fire on the side of Sunk Cane Road in the early morning hours of Thursday. (Courtesy: TBI)
Oliver Springs, TN (WOKI) UPDATE: A man is facing several charges after police in Oliver Springs, with the assistance of the Knoxville Police Department Bomb Squad, confirm the presence of homemade explosives in his vehicle.
Officials with the Oliver Springs Police Department say that just after midnight Friday, officers were called to investigate a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of a convenience store at 574 East Tri County Blvd.
They found the driver, 35-year-old Wesley Hobby of Thorn Hill, unconscious and partially hanging out of the driver’s side door; he was taken into custody.
According to court records, officers noticed several containers of alcohol.
While searching the vehicle, officers also discovered two homemade cylindrical explosive devices which were subsequently rendered safe by the bomb squad.
Hobby has been charged with public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of a prohibited weapon.
ORIGINAL STORY: A man in Oliver Springs is facing charges after police say they found suspected explosives in his car.
Officials with the Oliver Springs Police Department say that just after midnight today (Friday), officers were called to investigate a suspicious vehicle in the parking lot of a convenience store at 574 East Tri County Blvd.
When they found the driver was unconscious and partially hanging out of the driver’s side door and was taken into custody.
While searching the vehicle officers discovered two possible explosive devices, prompting them to call in the Knoxville Police Department Bomb Squad to assess and neutralize the devices.
Investigators say that a 35-year-old man from Thorn Hill is charged with public intoxication, possession of drug paraphernalia and two counts of possession of a hoax explosive device.
Nashville, TN (WVLT) The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) announced the opening of the TN Promise Application for the high school graduating class of 2026.
TN Promise provides high school graduates the opportunity to attend college tuition-free. Students can use this scholarship at any of Tennessee’s community colleges or Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology (TCAT,) said THEC.
This year’s application is also the entry point for a new initiative called Tennessee’s Direct Admissions Pilot Program, which automatically accepts eligible high school seniors into in-state public and private universities, as well as TCAT, according to THEC.
THEC said “In partnership with tnAchieves and The Ayers Foundation Trust, TN Promise supports students not only financially, but with built-in mentoring and support to help them navigate the transition from high school to college.”
Last year’s TN Promise application cycle welcomed a record-breaking number of class applicants, according to THEC.
“Tennessee Promise has helped more than 250,000 Tennessee students access college over the past ten years,” said Dr. Steven Gentile, THEC executive director. “We are excited that the class of 2026 will have the opportunity to not just benefit from this program but to break last year’s application record. We and our partners remain committed to helping students take the first step toward earning a college credential.”
Students can now apply here. The deadline to apply is Monday, Nov. 3, 2025.
The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) announces the opening of the TN Promise Application for the high school graduating class of 2026. (Courtesy: WVLT / WVJC)
An investigation is on-going in a road rage incident involving a gun in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which leads to the arrest of three people.
Authorities say the incident involved a firearm being shot along the Spur yesterday (Thursday) morning.
GSMNP law enforcement rangers responded to the shooting on the southbound Spur near the Gatlinburg Bypass intersection and say fortunately there were no reported injuries.
The involved vehicle was found at a hotel in Pigeon Forge and three suspects were taken into custody.
UPDATE 2 : Demetrius Johnson turned himself in this evening and is now in custody.
UPDATE 1: KPD officers are actively attempting to find Demetrius Johnson, 17. Johnson was identified as a suspect in the shooting that happened on Tuesday night in the 1900 block of Minnesota Avenue, when two 17-year-old males were wounded.
Johnson has been charged on juvenile petitions with three counts of attempted first-degree murder, five counts of reckless endangerment and one count of aggravated child abuse and neglect.
Efforts to locate Johnson have been unsuccessful so far.
Anyone with information concerning his whereabouts is urged to contact East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers anonymously at 865-215-7165. Tipsters can be eligible to receive a cash reward.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – With 30 days remaining until kickoff, a deep and talented tight end room took the stage on day two of fall camp.
Third-year tight ends coach Alec Abeln spoke with the media following Thursday’s practice at Haslam Field, discussing the depth, chemistry, and versatility of his unit after two days of preseason camp.
“I think we put a lot on them through spring and through summer. They’ve done a good job investing and making sure, one, just alignment assignment and understanding what they’re being asked to do is really good. Obviously, through two days – we’ll find out more as this camp gets going – but like the way that they’ve prepared and what they’ve done mentally to put themselves in position for a really good camp.”
With Miles Kitselman back for his second season on Rocky Top and sixth year overall, Abeln discussed the impact of his leadership on the rest of the tight end group.
“I think his actions follow his words. I think he’s authentic with it. It’s not ‘rah rah’. It’s not coming from a place of ‘look at me’. It’s all about, ‘how can we get better as a team?’ I think part of it helps when you play the way that he did in the fall. Guys look up to that and say, ‘man, I want to be a good player. Here’s a good player doing things the way that we’re asking him to do it, doing it with a great attitude and enthusiasm every day.’ It’s hard not to want to follow a guy that does those things.”
Full comments from Abeln’s Thursday press conference can be viewed below.
Tight End Coach Alec Abeln Media Availability (7.31.25)
Opening statement… “Good first day, a bunch of individual and some group work focus. The key to this whole thing is not making the same mistake twice and continuing to get better.”
On Miles Kitselman having a new attitude and energy heading into sixth year…
“I wouldn’t necessarily say new. He’s always approached it that way. I think it’s a credit to him. We understand that nothing happens by accident. Things fall in place in ways you might not necessarily expect, but he’s been grateful for every opportunity since the day that he got here, so I wouldn’t say that’s changed a whole lot, but it’s certainly nice to have him in the room.”
On what he has seen out of the top four guys thus far…
“I think we put a lot on them through spring and through summer. They’ve done a good job investing and making sure, one, just alignment assignment and understanding what they’re being asked to do is really good. Obviously, through two days – we’ll find out more as this camp gets going – but like the way that they’ve prepared and what they’ve done mentally to put themselves in position for a really good camp.”
On if there was a moment Ethan Davis began to understand the complexity of the tight end position…
“Yeah, 100 percent. There were flashes of it a lot last year and just getting it to be on a consistent basis where he has all the ability in the world and he knows it. It’s one of those things, especially in the core, when you feel what it’s supposed to feel like and get used to feeling that, I think that helps guys be more consistent with it where a lot of times guys are putting in a bunch of work and really straining to get right with the technique, and they may not even realize it’s wrong until once they feel it right, then it kind of clicks for them. I think the more you can feel it right, the more it becomes second nature.”
“Like you would expect Miles to, he’s pissed at me half the time because he wants to do more. He’s going to push that as hard as he can. He’s ahead of schedule doing a great job with it but just like you’d expect him to do it.”
On Miles Kitselman stepping up more vocally and his leadership difference from last season…
“Yeah, I think so. I mean, it’s tough when you come in as a transfer because the first job you have to do is earn the trust and respect of your teammates. I think part of him is feeling more comfortable in just earning their trust. I think he clearly established that he’s a guy we can count on during the fall and understands there’s space for leadership this year. This team has taken it to heart.”
On the rest of the tight end room relying on Kitselman and believing in his leadership capability…
“I think his actions follow his words. I think he’s authentic with it. It’s not ‘rah rah’. It’s not coming from a place of ‘look at me’. It’s all about, ‘how can we get better as a team?’ I think part of it helps when you play the way that he did in the fall. Guys look up to that and say, ‘man, I want to be a good player. Here’s a good player doing things the way that we’re asking him to do it, doing it with a great attitude and enthusiasm every day.’ It’s hard not to want to follow a guy that does those things.”
On the transition for DaSaahn Brame from spring to now…
“I think, you know, it’s really tough coming in because you want to go prove it and you want to go compete. He’s competitive as hell and being held back a lot of the spring, I think that’s really tough mentally. Especially, your transition to college, you’ve got a lot of other things going on. The one thing you really love to do and want to do, you can’t do it the way that you want to. I think when he got kind of reintroduced towards the back half of spring ball, there were a couple of days where it’s, ‘oh man, I’m behind,’ and a little bit of that sits in. I think looking back, man, what a blessing. The summer he has had as far as how detailed he’s been and the work he’s put in. All the stuff to get caught up, where he doesn’t feel that way, and fall camp has been really good for him. I think as pads come on, that will be a transition for everybody, but I’m excited about where he is and just what he’s going to bring to the table.”
“I don’t know if surprise would be the right word, but I think one, it’s credit to the program down in Southlake Carroll and the way that they prepare guys. Just his level of understanding of what college football looks like mentally and physically. He came out during mat drills and was a freaking dog. I mean tug of war champ down the line. I don’t know if he lost a tug of war all freaking pre-spring. Another guy that just shows up to work every day, knows his job, plays really hard and wants to be great. Really excited about Jack.”
“He’s a lot like Kits [Miles Kitselman], where I don’t know if he gets enough credit in the route, and I think last year, obviously, his senior year of high school he played mainly defensive end. You’ll see flashes on his tape as a junior and sophomore, he’s not nothing with the ball in his hands, and he understands, I think in the route, so much of winning in the route is understanding what you’re getting, what the picture is, what the leverage is and how much space I have. I think he’s going to be a guy that can absolutely get open for us and do some things in space.”
On what his focus is on to get freshman ready for the season and if it is hard to prepare them…
“You certainly ask a lot of these guys, and they’ve got to know it all, they’ve got to be able to do it all (with) just the way that we play. I think everybody comes in at a different spot and it’s just kind of figuring out where guys are at, what they need and how they learn best. Some guys are true, get out signal to them and walk through all the time. Other guys would rather watch ball and truly grind on watching the tape. Really just figuring out one, where a guy is when he comes in the building, and two, what’s the best way for him to learn and best way for him to get caught up.”
“I mean big jumps, and like I said earlier, it’s just being consistent with it. He’s absolutely capable of being a dominant player in the core. Knowing what to do for sure was step one. I think he’s gotten to a point now where, man, really pretty assignment sound. Now it’s about getting banked reps of what it’s supposed to feel like. And then, obviously, effort is the paint that covers up bad carpentry and if it isn’t perfect, if it’s not exactly right, just straining (and) finishing with everything he’s got.”
