KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – For the fourth consecutive season, Tennessee captured an NCAA Regional title and secured a spot in the super regionals after slugging its way past No. 22/23 Southern Miss, 12-3, in Sunday’s regional final at a sold-out Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The top-ranked Volunteers hit five home runs to surpass their single-season program record of 158 set just two years ago in 2022. A pair of Cal Stark blasts in the fifth and ninth innings bookended UT’s long ball onslaught, with the latter being the record-breaking 159th of the year for the Big Orange.
Stark finished 2-for-4 with a pair of runs and four RBIs to lead Tennessee’s offense while Dylan Dreiling had another strong performance as well with two hits, including a home run, and three runs scored.
The Vols (53-11) also got multi-hit performances from Hunter Ensley and Dean Curley, who finished with two apiece. Curley hit his second homer in as many days with a two-run shot in the seventh inning to double UT’s lead.
Kavares Tears’ lone hit of the night was the biggest of the game, as he launched a three-run homer over the wall in right-center field to give Tennessee a 5-3 lead shortly after it had fallen behind 3-2 in the bottom of the fifth. Tears also drew three walks and scored three times on the night.
Zander Sechrist provided the Vols with another solid start, allowing three runs – all of which were unearned – on four hits over 4.2 innings before handing the ball off to Nate Snead, who pitched the final 4.1 innings to earn the win. Snead gave up just three hits and didn’t allow a run while striking out three batters.
Reliever Chandler Best was stuck with the loss for the Golden Eagles (43-20) after getting tagged for four runs in 1.2 innings of work.
Tennessee had six players voted to the Knoxville All-Regional Team, led by Dreiling, who was also named the Most Outstanding Player. Joining Dreiling on the all-regional team were Stark (C), Christian Moore (2B), Billy Amick (3B), Ensley (CF) and AJ Causey (P). The full Knoxville All-Regional Team can be seen HERE.
STATS OF THE GAME: With Sunday’s victory, the Vols extended their NCAA Regional win streak to 12 straight games. Tennessee has won four consecutive NCAA regionals (2021, 2022, 2023, 2024) while going unbeaten in that stretch.
UT has also won six consecutive NCAA regionals played in Knoxville (1995, 2001, 2005, 2021, 2022, 2024), going 22-1 overall in those games. Head coach Tony Vitello now boasts a 14-2 overall record in NCAA regional games since taking over on Rocky Top.
UP NEXT: Tennessee will host the winner of the NCAA Greenville Regional final between No. 16 national seed East Carolina and Evansville. The Pirates and Purple Aces will play a decisive game seven on Monday.
BETHEL, Ohio – The third-ranked Tennessee rowing team recorded the program’s best-ever NCAA Championship finish Sunday in Bethel, Ohio, finishing third overall and earning a podium spot in two of the three Grand Final events to cap Big 12 Coach of the Year Kim Cupini‘s remarkable first season on Rocky Top.
In addition to Tennessee’s third-place result marking the best team finish in UT history, each of the Lady Vols’ three NCAA Championship crews set program-best marks by boat classification. Tennessee’s First Eight placed third, its Second Eight crew placed third and its Four boat earned fifth place.
“I’m so impressed with this team and coaching staff for all they have accomplished,” Cupini said. “From the very beginning, they believed in themselves, each other, their goals and the process. I’m so proud of how every one of them handled the changes and committed to what it took to reach the podium at the NCAA’s.”
It was a tight battle throughout the 2,000-meter contest and the Lady Vols (6:12.156) crossed the line just 2.236 seconds behind first-place, top-ranked Texas (6:09.920). Furthermore, a mere .352 seconds separated Tennessee from second-place, No. 2 Stanford (6:11.804).
UT’s 1V8+ crew finished ahead of fourth-place, No. 4 Princeton (6:15.556), eighth-ranked Brown (6:18.030) and No. 7 Washington (6:19.232) in the race.
The final standings for the 22-team event are determined by a tiered points format. The winner of the First Eight event earns 66 points, with the team that places second receiving 63 points, third 60, etc. For the Second Eight race, there 44 points are awarded to the winner, and the points obtained go down in steps of two for each ensuing position. For the Fours race, the winner earns 22 points, and the subsequent finishers get 21, 20, 19, etc.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Top-ranked Tennessee’s high-powered offense showed up in a big way in Saturday night’s 12-6 victory over Indiana in front of another sold-out crowd at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Big Orange blasted four home runs over the first four innings, including a Billy Amick grand slam in the top of the third, to build an early lead.
A pair of two-run homers in the second from Dean Curley and Christian Moore allowed UT to jump out to a quick 4-0 lead before adding five more runs in the second, four of which came on one swing from Amick.
Cal Stark joined in on the home run parade with a solo shot into the porches into the top of the fourth inning, his seventh four bagger of the season.
A Kavares Tears single resulted in two more Tennessee runs in the fifth that extended the lead to 12-4 and ended up being the final runs of the night for the Big Orange.
Andrew Behnke’s career-high 3.1 innings of relief highlighted another solid night from the pitching staff. The sophomore lefty earned the win to improve to 3-1 on the year after allowing just three hits and no runs while striking out three in his outing.
After the Hoosiers (33-25-1) plated a pair of runs in the eighth inning to cut their deficit to six, the Vols turned to Aaron Combs in relief and the redshirt junior righthander delivered with four strikeouts over the final 1.2 innings to finish the game.
Five different players finished with two hits on the night as Tennessee had 13 base knocks for the game.
Leadoff hitter Devin Taylor hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the third for Indiana while Andrew Wiggins and Josh Pyne both added a pair of hits for the Hoosiers.
Starting pitcher Connor Foley allowed just four hits but walked seven and hit two batters to give up eight runs on the night in just 2.1 innings.
UP NEXT: The Vols will await the winner of Sunday’s elimination game between Indiana and Southern Miss, which will begin at noon ET. First pitch for Tennessee’s game against the winner is slated for 6 p.m. Television information is to be determined.
STAT OF THE GAME: Amick’s third-inning grand slam was the 12th of the year for the Vols, which is tied for the second most in a single season in NCAA history with Oklahoma State’s 1996 team. Amick is the third UT player this season to hit two grand slams, joining Cal Stark and Blake Burke.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – No. 1/1 Tennessee took care of business in its NCAA regional opener, defeating Northern Kentucky, 9-3, in front of a record crowd of 6,396 on Friday night at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Volunteers (51-11) found themselves in an early hole after Norse leadoff hitter Cleary Simpson started the game with a solo home run to put them ahead 1-0.
AJ Causey was able to steady the waters after quickly entering the game in relief of starter Chris Stamos with one out in the first inning, stranding a runner on third to end the frame.
The Harvest, Alabama, native put together another dominant outing out of the bullpen, striking out nine batters over 6.2 innings while allowing just two runs on four hits against one of the nation’s most productive lineups.
After falling behind 1-0, UT scored runs in the second, third and fourth innings to build a 6-1 lead. Billy Amick’s three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth was the biggest swing of the night for the Big Orange and ended up being the game-winning hit.
After NKU (35-23) plated a run in the sixth and seventh inning to draw within three, the Vols responded with a pair of long balls from Hunter Ensley and Dylan Dreiling to put the game away.
Dreiling led all players with three hits to go along with a pair of RBIs while Amick scored three times to go along with his team-high three RBIs. Christian Moore also added another multi-hit game to his resume with a single and a double in the victory.
Kirby Connell, making the 120th appearance of his career, didn’t allow a hit over the final two innings to quell any thought of a Norse comeback.
UP NEXT: Tennessee will take on Indiana on Saturday night at 6 p.m. on ESPNU in the winner’s bracket game. The winner will advance to the regional final while the loser will have to play in an elimination game on Sunday at noon.
STATS OF THE GAME: Causey picked up his 12th win of the season with his performance on Friday night, which is tied for the fifth most in a single season in program history with Chris Freeman (1993). The junior righthander is the first Vol to reach the 12-win mark since Luke Hochevar tied the program record with 15 in 2005.
Amick’s three-run homer was his 20th of the season, joining Moore as Vols with 20 or more home runs this year, marking the first time in program history UT has had multiple players reach the 20-homer mark in the same season.
Nashville, TN (WOKI) The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) and the Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation (TSAC) Friday announced one final extension of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) deadline for the Tennessee Promise scholarship program.
The new FAFSA deadline is extended to Thursday, August 1 for students wanting to remain eligible for the TN Promise scholarship.
Higher educations officials say this final extension allows students ample time to apply for essential financial aid for college and solidify their college choice for the fall.
“The release of the new FAFSA has inadvertently been an obstacle to certainty around many students’ fall college decisions,” said Dr. Steven Gentile, THEC/TSAC Executive Director. “Our ongoing objective is to assist students and families in completing the FAFSA before fall enrollment. This final extension will allow us to effectively utilize these funds and provide support to as many students as possible.”
This decision to push the deadline is in part due to THEC/TSAC being notified of a $1 million award from the Educational Credit Management Corporation (ECMC) as part of the U.S. Department of Education’s FAFSA Student Support Strategy initiative. This funding will enable THEC to enhance FAFSA completion efforts and provide more targeted support to students and families across the state.
Many students and families have experienced challenges in submitting their applications successfully since the launch of the redesigned FAFSA in January.
The Tennessee Promise scholarship program, which recently celebrated its 10th anniversary, offers eligible high school seniors the opportunity to obtain a technical certificate or associate degree tuition-free, paying for tuition and mandatory fees not covered by other financial aid sources.
“THEC/TSAC will continue to work diligently to ensure that every student in Tennessee can access higher education through the completion of the FAFSA,” Gentile said.
For more information about upcoming FAFSA completion events and resources, please visit CollegeforTN.org/FAFSA or call 1-800-342-1663.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 1 national seed Tennessee Volunteers embark on the Road to Omaha on Friday as they begin play in the NCAA Knoxville Regional at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Big Orange enter the tournament as the top overall seed for the second time in program history with 2022 marking the only other instance. Just like 2022, Tennessee win both the SEC regular season championship and the SEC Tournament title.
The Vols open their postseason run against the No. 4 seed in the Knoxville Regional, Northern Kentucky, who won the Horizon League tournament last week to earn an automatic bid.
Saturday, June 1 Game 3 – Loser of Game 1 vs. Loser of Game 2 | Noon ET Game 4 – Winner of Game 1 vs. Winner of Game 2 | 6 p.m. ET
Sunday, June 2 Game 5 – Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4 | Noon ET Game 6 – Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 4 | 6 p.m. ET
Monday, June 3 Game 7 (if necessary) – Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6 | TBD
TICKET INFO
All Tennessee baseball season-ticket holders were awarded the opportunity to purchase postseason tickets for all games taking place at home. Season tickets were sold out for the 2024 season.
A limited number of single-session standing room only tickets will be sold to the general public at the Lindsey Nelson Stadium ticket window starting 90 minutes prior to first pitch of each session. In addition, the first 300 students will receive free admission into Lindsey Nelson Stadium for all postseason contests.
PARKING INFORMATION & ROAD CLOSURES
In an effort to eliminate heavy traffic and promote a safe environment for all fans and staff attending this weekend’s regional, road closures will be in effect for the duration of the tournament. Closures will go into effect on Friday, May 31, and can only be accessed with a valid NCAA parking pass.
Chamique Holdsclaw Dr. and Todd Helton Dr. will be closed from the intersection of Chamique Holdsclaw Dr. and Lake Loudon Blvd. to Todd Helton Dr. and the entrance of lot GF4. Pat Head Summitt Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between Fraternity Park Drive and Todd Helton Drive (Gate 11/the left-field gate near the porches will remain accessible). There will be a walking path on the east side of the street for those fans who are on the south side of the stadium and need to get to the Ticket Office and/or Main Gate.
Available baseball parking is located for free in lots G16, G3, G4, G5-30, G10, S23 and C22. Parking in campus lots C1 and GF1-4 are available to permit holders only.
Additional on-street parking is located along West Volunteer Blvd between the intersection of Volunteer Blvd and Todd Helton Dr. and Cumberland Avenue. We encourage all fans to take the temporary road closures on Pat Head Summitt St. into account upon their arrival to campus.
ADA accessible parking is located in marked handicap spaces on Pat Head Summitt St., at the Student Health Center, and in the G16 Volunteer Blvd Garage.
An updated parking map for this weekend can be seen HERE.
BROADCAST INFO
TV/Stream: SEC Network & ESPN+
Talent: Clay Matvick (PxP) & Ben McDonald (Analyst)
The following Vol Network radio affiliates are slated to broadcast this weekend’s Tennessee baseball games. Check your local listings as game coverage varies by station.
Bristol – WOPI (AM 1490 & FM 98.1) Cleveland – The Buzz! (FM 101.3) Cookeville – WKXD (Sports Radio 104.7) Knoxville- The Sports Animal (FM 99.1, AM 990) Johnson City – WKPT (AM 1590 & FM 94.3) Kingsport – WKTP (AM 1400 & FM 97.7) Nashville – WGFX (FM 104.5 The Zone) Pulaski – WKSR (FM 107.7, 100.9 AM 1420)
NCAA TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Prior Appearances: 13 (Most Recent: 2023)
Regional Record: 30-13 (.698)
Knoxville Regional Record: 20-5 (.800)
College World Series Appearances: 6 (1951, 1995, 2001, 2005, 2021, 2023)
This will be Tennessee’s 14th appearance in the NCAA Tournament and mark the eighth time hosting a regional at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. The Vols have won all four of their regionals in Knoxville since the tournament switched to its current four-team format in 1999 and are unbeaten (9-0) in their last three home regionals. In those four regionals (2001, 2005, 2021, 2023), UT has posted a 12-1 overall record and has gone on to advance to the College World Series in three of those four seasons.
NEED TO KNOW
The Vols are just the third program in Division I history to earn the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament twice in a three-year span, joining Florida (2016 & 2018) and Florida State (2002 and 2003).
Tennessee also joins a small group of programs that have earned the No. 1 national seed multiple times, becoming just the seventh to do so since the tournament switched to its current format in 1999, joining Florida, Florida State, Miami, Oregon State, Texas and UCLA.
Tennessee is set to play in their fifth consecutive NCAA regional, matching the longest regional streak in program history (1993-1997). The Vols have also advanced to three straight NCAA super regionals, the longest such streak in program history.
UT is the only SEC program and one of just four teams nationally (Stanford, Texas & Virginia) to have appeared in the College World Series in two of the last three seasons (2021 & 2023).
Just as it did the last time it earned the No. 1 national seed in 2022, Tennessee is coming off capturing the SEC regular season and SEC Tournament crowns. The Vols shared the regular-season title with Kentucky after posting a 22-8 record in league play and went on to win their fifth tournament championship in program history by defeating LSU, 4-3, in last Sunday’s championship game.
Christian Moore is having one of the greatest single seasons in program history and was named a first-team All-SEC selection and one of 25 semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award. The junior second baseman won the Triple Crown with his stats in league play, leading the SEC with a .429 batting average, 20 home runs and 41 RBIs in conference play while also leading the league with 57 hits and 123 total bases. Moore finished second in slugging percentage (.925) and fifth in runs scored (37).
Entering play this weekend, Moore ranks in the top-25 nationally in hits (5th – 95), home runs (5th – 28), slugging percentage (22nd – .789) and total bases (4th – 194).
Tennessee has been the nation’s most prolific home run hitting team since the start of the 2021 season, leading all NCAA Division I programs with 528 long balls during that span. In the previous decade before that (2010-2020), the Volunteers totaled just 376 home runs.
UT has homered in 54 of its 61 games this season with 147 total round trippers, which leads the nation.
The Vols 11 grand slams are tied for the third most in a single season in NCAA history (most in the BBCOR bat era) and the most ever by an SEC team. The NCAA single-season record is 14 by Arizona State in 2003 (68 games). Nine different players have hit a grand slam for the Vols this season.
The Vols’ bullpen has played a major role in the team’s overall success this season, as the team’s relievers have boasted a 35-5 record while tying the UT single-season mark for saves with 18. UT’s bullpen has a combined ERA of 3.49 while racking up 336 strikeouts compared to just 102 walks in 289.0 innings of work.
In the month of May, UT’s bullpen has combined to post a 9-0 record with seven saves and a 2.40 ERA in 82.1 innings with 108 strikeouts and just 22 walks while holding opposing hitters to a .227 batting average.
Tennessee is 149-24 when playing at Lindsey Nelson Stadium since the start of the 2020 season, including a 35-3 record at home this year with six series sweeps, marking the program’s fourth consecutive season with 30 or more home victories.
UT’s 35 home victories this season are the most in the country entering play this weekend while their .921 winning percentage at home ranks fourth nationally.
ON DECK
Should Tennessee advance out of the Knoxville Regional, it would host an NCAA Super Regional at Lindsey Nelson Stadium next weekend against the winner of the NCAA Greenville Regional.
The complete 2024 NCAA Baseball Tournament bracket can be found HERE.
Donald Trump became the first former president to be convicted of felony crimes Thursday as a New York jury found him guilty of falsifying business records in a scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election through hush money payments to a porn actor who said the two had sex.
Jurors deliberated for 9.5 hours over two days before convicting Trump of all 34 counts he faced. Trump sat stone-faced as the verdict was being read, while cheering from the street below — where supporters and detractors of the former president were gathered — could be heard in the hallway on the 15th floor of the courthouse.
Several politicians representing East Tennesseans reacted to the verdict with statements on social media.
Governor Bill Lee called the verdict a “political attack,” adding that a “politicized justice system does nothing to serve the American people.”
Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally said it was a “politically motivated prosecution” and that it “is a sad day for our nation.”
Senator Marsha Blackburn released a lengthy statement, calling the verdict in part “an undemocratic and un-American weaponization of our justice system against Trump.”
Senator Bill Hagerty released a statement, calling the verdict “an outright witch-hunt” for Donald Trump.
Representative Tim Burchett said he was disappointed in the verdict, adding that “this is not the America we once knew.”
Representative Scott DesJarlais also released a statement in which he referred to the verdict as “political warfare.”
Representative Chuck Fleischmann called the verdict “the foreordained outcome of a biased and politically motivated prosecution against President Trump that should have never been brought to trial to begin with.”
Representative Jeremy Faison also commented on the verdict.
Representative Jason Zachary said he still supports Trump.
Representative David Kustoff referred to it as “a sad say for our democracy” in a statement.
Representative Diana Harshbarger said the verdict was “unjust” in her statement.
Representative Steve Cohen said the verdict shows that nobody is above the law.
Representative Mark Green referred to the trial as “a political stunt” in his statement.
Representative Gloria Johnson said the verdict “affirms that no one is above the rule of law, not even former presidents.”
Representative John Rose said Thursday “will be among the more infamous in American history.”
Representative Ken Yager said the verdict “is a clear weaponization of the DOJ that must come to an end.”
As Trump seeks a return to the White House in this year’s election, the judgment presents voters with another test of their willingness to accept Trump’s boundary-breaking behavior.
Trump is expected to quickly appeal the verdict and will face an awkward dynamic as he seeks to return to the campaign trail as a convicted felon. There are no campaign rallies on the calendar for now, though he’s expected to hold fundraisers next week. Judge Juan Merchan, who oversaw the case, set sentencing for July 11, just days before the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee.
The falsifying business records charges carry up to four years behind bars, though prosecutors have not said whether they intend to seek imprisonment, and it is not clear whether the judge — who earlier in the trial warned of jail time for gag order violations — would impose that punishment even if asked. The conviction, and even imprisonment, will not bar Trump from continuing his pursuit of the White House.
Story courtesy of WVLT – Copyright 2024 WVLT. All rights reserved.
Knoxville, TN (WOKI) A popular swimming hole in South Knoxville will remain closed for the time being following a dangerous rock wall collapse over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
Officials with Ijams Nature Center announcing Thursday that Mead’s Quarry Lake will be closed longer than expected after a portion of the rock wall at the back of the attraction came loose, falling into the lake.
“I know everyone wants to swim, and we’re all ready for a fun summer at Mead’s Quarry, but safety comes first. Please give Ijams time to do the necessary work to create a safe summer for all patrons. While we understand the eagerness to enjoy Mead’s Quarry, safety remains our top priority,” said CEO of Ijams Nature Center Amber Parker. “We kindly urge visitors to respect the designated boundaries for their own well-being and the safety of others. Any violations will result in immediate removal from the premises.”
After consulting with a geology expert, representatives say they plan to expand the “no-go” area to ensure that people are well outside the rock-fall zone and to install new buoys to replace those damaged by the rockfall.
“The rock walls of any quarry are unstable places,” Parker said. “During the quarrying operations, they were blasted by dynamite for decades, which created cracks and fissures throughout their surface, allowing rain to enter. Natural freeze/thaw cycles then work on those areas until the rock is weakened enough to fall. Rocks fall from those walls every day, which is why it’s so important to respect safety signage and designated ‘no-go’ zones.”
Ijams officials say they hope to have the work completed and to reopen the lake by June 5 or 6.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee softball’s Payton Gottshall and Karlyn Pickens have been named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) First Team All-Americans, the organization announced Wednesday.
Pickens – named a D1Softball and Softball America First Team All-American on Tuesday – is Tennessee’s second consecutive consensus first-team All-American. It is the first All-America honor received by Pickens from the NFCA.
Gottshall also collects her third All-America recognition for her outstanding 2024 season, being named to D1Softball and Softball America’s second teams on Tuesday. Like Pickens, this marks the first time Gottshall has been named an All-American by the NFCA.
A native of Weaverville, North Carolina, Pickens was one-half of Tennessee’s dominant pitching tandem. Finishing the 2024 season with a 22-7 record and an ERA of 1.12, the sophomore firmly established herself as one of the nation’s premier pitchers.
Pickens appeared in 38 games – making 27 starts – and tossed 15 complete games with 12 shutouts and a save. Over 188.1 innings pitched, the right-hander notched 225 strikeouts and held opposing hitters to a .156 batting average.
Gottshall formed the other half of UT’s pitching machine as she closed out her collegiate career on Rocky Top. The Massillon, Ohio, native went 20-5 with an ERA of 1.37 as she helped guide the Lady Vols to a second straight SEC regular season title.
The graduate pitcher made 35 appearances in the circle with 20 starts in 2024. She threw eight complete games, recorded three shutouts and picked up three saves on the year. Over 147.2 innings pitched, Gottshall had 164 strikeouts with an opponent batting average of .180.
Gottshall and Pickens are Tennessee’s 20th and 21st NFCA All-Americans, respectively, and give UT 43 total NFCA All-America selections in program history.
The University of Tennessee will be represented by two basketball student-athletes at next week’s Southeastern Conference Spring Meetings, as LVFL and graduate Tamari Key and Vol standout Jahmai Mashack make their way to Florida.
Key, who is attending for the second consecutive year, and Mashack will be among seven SEC student-athletes who will participate in the event that starts May 28 in Miramar Beach, Fla. The student-athletes will participate in a series of meetings throughout the week to share their perspective and offer input on issues that impact their college experiences.
Joining them are Texas A&M’s Henry Coleman III (Men’s Basketball), Alabama’s Barry Evans (Men’s Track & Field), Kentucky’s Tallulah Miller (Women’s Soccer), Ole Miss’ Kennedy Todd-Williams (Women’s Basketball) and Florida’s Derek Wingo (Football). Tennessee is the only school to be represented by two student-athletes at the event.
Following a dinner with Commissioner Greg Sankey to begin the week, the group will meet with the SEC’s presidents and chancellors, athletics directors, faculty athletics representatives and senior woman administrators throughout the week. The agenda also includes activities with other meeting attendees.
The seven student-athletes who are scheduled to attend the spring meetings are all members of one of the SEC’s Student-Athlete Leadership Councils or the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC).
A 6-foot-4 guard from Fontana, Calif., Mashack has appeared in 99 games across his three seasons on the Tennessee men’s basketball team, notching 21 starts. In 2023-24, he helped the Volunteers to an SEC regular season title and an Elite Eight berth, averaging 4.5 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. Along with his role as the vice chair of the SEC Men’s Basketball Leadership Council, Mashack represents the SEC on the NCAA Men’s Basketball Oversight Committee’s Student-Athlete Engagement Group.
A December 2023 UT graduate with a degree in communication studies, a 2023-24 vice chair and four-time member of the SEC Student-Athlete Leadership Council, the 6-6 Key appeared in 131 games from 2019-24. She is UT’s all-time leader in blocks in a season (119, 2021-22) and a career (347), with the latter mark standing sixth in SEC history. She played in 32 games in 2023-24 after overcoming a medical condition that sidelined her in 2022-23 and threatened her career. Her cumulative college numbers included 7.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and a school-best 2.6 blocks per contest as well as a 59.0 field goal percentage that ranks fifth all-time at Tennessee.
