Here’s a list of VFLs in pro baseball, MLB and MILB.
*(Major League Baseball)
FRONT OFFICE: Mark Connor (Former Head Coach) – Texas Rangers – Special Assistant to the GM Jordan Czarniecki – Colorado Rockies – Area Scout – NC, SC, & VA Greg McMichael – Atlanta Braves – Alumni Relations Alex Suarez – Chicago Cubs – Director of International Pro Scouting/Play Development
COACHES: Mike Barnett (Former UT Asst.) – Cleveland Indians – Major League Replay Coordinator and Staff Assistant Fredi Gonzalez (Former UT Asst.) – Miami Marlins – 3rd Base Coach – 2nd Season Rick Honeycutt – Los Angeles Dodgers – Pitching Coach – 13th Season Jeff Pickler – Minnesota Twins – Major League Coach and Coordinator of Major League Development – 2nd Season
PLAYERS: Zack Godley – RHP – Arizona Diamondbacks Yan Gomes – C – Cleveland Indians Chase Headley – 1B/3B – San Diego Padres Drew Steckenrider – RHP – Miami Marlins
*(Minor League Baseball)*
AAA International League Nick Senzel – 2B – Louisville Bats (CIN) Christin Stewart – OF – Toledo Mud Hens (DET)
Pacific Coast League Matt Ramsey – RHP – Fresno Grizzlies (HOU) Andrew Toles – OF – Oklahoma City Dodgers (LAD)
AA Eastern League Trevor Bettencourt – RHP – Reading Fightin’ Phils (PHI) Will Maddox – 2B – Erie Seawolves (DET) Khayyan Norfork – 2B – Harrisburg Senators (WAS) A.J. Simcox – SS – Erie Seawolves (DET)
A – Advanced Florida State League Jordan Rodgers – 3B – Florida Fire Frogs (ATL)
A – Full South Atlantic League Zach Warren – LHP – Lakewood Blueclaws (PHI)
Awaiting Assignment/Rehabbing Max Bartlett – SS – (K.C.) Andy Cox – LHP – (CIN) Andrew Lee – RHP – (WAS) Hunter Martin – RHP – (HOU) Jeff Moberg – 3B – (COL) Drake Owenby – LHP – (MIL) Kyle Serrano – RHP – (HOU)
During the Nashville Predators 2017 playoff run to the Stanley Cup Finals, the Preds brought out some of country music’s biggest starts to sing the national anthem on their home ice, including Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Vince Gill, Lady Antebellum, Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride, Dierks Bentley and Faith Hill.
For the Preds 2018 playoff run, which began on April 12 against the Colorado Avalanche, Rascal Flatts had the honor of singing the national anthem before Game 1, while Brad Paisley and Maren Morris handled the duties before Game 2 on April 14 and Game 5 on April 20, respectively.
Before Game 1 of the Preds second round playoff series versus the Winnipeg Jets on April 27, Dierks Bentley and bluegrass great Del McCoury teamed up to perform the anthem. The Preds unleashed “proud hockey wife” Carrie Underwood—spouse of Preds center Mike Fisher—to perform the anthem before Game 2 against the Jets on April 29. Before Game 5 vs. the Jets on May 5, Lady Antebellum performed the anthem, and while Charles Kelley had a little trouble remembering the words, Hillary Scott managed to bring it home with Dave Haywood’s help.
Before Game 7 on May 10, Sheryl Crow belted out the “Star Spangled Banner.”
Grant Williams — Vols Forward / Credit: UT Athletics
Rising junior basketball player Grant Williams has been selected as the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame’s 2018 Male Amateur Athlete of the Year and will be recognized during the organization’s 52nd Annual Induction Banquet on Saturday, June 16, at the Omni-Nashville Hotel.
Tickets for the TSHOF’s induction banquet weekend can be purchased by contacting Lynn Powell Toy at (615) 202-3996 or [email protected].
As a sophomore for the Volunteers this past season, Williams earned SEC Player of the Year honors and was selected as an All-American honorable mention performer while powering Tennessee to its first SEC Championship in 10 years.
The 6-7 forward from Charlotte, North Carolina, led the Vols in scoring (15.2 ppg), was second on the team in blocks (44) and rebounding (6.0 rpg) and finished fourth in assists (66).
An All-SEC first-teamer, he scored at least 10 points in 29 of UT’s 35 games while leading the Vols in scoring in 12 contests and eclipsing the 20-point margin eight times.
Williams lifted Tennessee to a road win at Vanderbilt on Jan. 9 behind a career-high 37 points on 12-of-20 shooting, marking the most points by a Vol since SEC Player of the Year Ron Slay scored 38 vs. New Mexico on Jan. 4, 2003.
The 2018 Volunteers posted a 26-9 record (third-most wins in program history), spent 14 straight weeks in national top-25 and finished the season ranked 13th in the Associated Press poll and 16th in the coaches’ poll.
This is the third straight year in which a Tennessee Vol has been named the TSHOF’s Male Amateur Athlete of the Year, as world-champion sprinter Christian Coleman shared the award in 2016 before winning it outright in 2017.
Other Tennessee male student-athletes who have received the award are tennis player J.P. Smith (2011), football player Eric Berry (2008, 2009, 2010), baseball pitcher Luke Hochevar (2006), sprinter Justin Gatlin (2003), football player John Henderson (2001), swimmer Jeremy Linn (1999), football player Peyton Manning (1998), baseball player Todd Helton (1996), baseball pitcher R.A. Dickey (1995), swimmer Melvin Stewart (1993), football player Reggie White (1984), basketball player Ernie Grunfeld (1977), steeplechase runner Doug Brown (1975), football/baseball player Condredge Holloway (1974), swimmer David Edgar (1973) and football player Bobby Majors (1972).
The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, which held its first induction banquet in 1966, has as its goal to enshrine successful teams and individuals who display sportsmanship, good character and success, creating a legacy for others to follow. The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame Museum is housed inside the Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville.
Meghan Gregg — Lady Vols SS / Credit: UT Athletics
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee senior Meghan Gregg has been selected to the 2018 Google Cloud Academic All-District Softball Team, released by the College Sports Information Directors of America on Thursday.
The Google Cloud Academic All-District Team recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom. The teams are divided into eight geographic districts across the United States and Canada.
In her senior season, Gregg has continued to serve as a model student-athlete at Tennessee. The Williamson, Ga. native currently maintains a 3.53 GPA while majoring in Kinesiology, and also serves as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She is also a VolScholar, and in March, she was awarded the 2018 Georgia Peach of an Athlete Role Model. This marks the second consecutive year Gregg has been named on the Academic All-District squad.
On the field, Gregg has spent her final campaign by rewriting the Tennessee softball record books. On March 31, she collected her 242nd career RBI to surpass Tonya Callahan for the most in program history. Less than two weeks later, on April 13, Gregg hit the 52nd home run of her career, once again breaking a Callahan record to stand alone atop the program’s greats. Gregg enters the SEC Tournament this week with a team-leading 16 home runs and an SEC-leading 66 RBIs. She is also tied for the NCAA active career lead in RBIs with 256 total.
To view all Academic All-District teams, click HERE.
Keith Urban and Dierks Bentley shared some sweet sentiments about their wives in honor of Mother’s Day on May 13.
Dierks Bentley & Cassidy
Dierks married wife Cassidy Black in 2005, and they have two daughters, Evelyn Day, 9, and Jordan Catherine, 7, and one son, Knox, 4.
“It’s the toughest job out there being a mom, and I know from my life with my wife Cassidy. We work as a team together when I’m home, and it takes everyone to get the job done, me and her, working together. So, when I go on the road, I just have so much respect for her because it’s hard to do it right, if you want to do it great, and she does a great job with it. It’s really rewarding, but it’s also very challenging. I’m so thankful that she takes it on the way she does, and our kids are very lucky to have her.”
Keith Urban & Nicole Kidman
Keith married wife Nicole Kidman in 2006, and they have two daughters, Sunday Rose, 9, and Faith Margaret, 7.
“She’s an extraordinary mum, she really, really is. Those girls are very, very lucky, and I feel very lucky that the children I should have in this world happen to be with Nic. I don’t know anything about raising kids and Nic does, and that comes in extremely, um, it’s really made for an experience I wouldn’t have had without that. Her patience, her recognizing them as people and not just little kids is really extraordinary. Her attention to honoring their feelings and listening to them right from day one – really being attentive to that is not how I was raised at all, so it’s really beautiful to see.”
With fun-in-the-sun tunes like “Beachin’” and “The One That Got Away,” it’s no secret that Florida native Jake Owen loves the summertime.
To help usher in the unofficial start to the summer season over Memorial Day weekend, Jake will team with Westwood One to host a four-hour Summer Kick Off special.
The four-hour broadcast, which is available to stations nationwide, will feature summer-themed music from Jake and his friends, including Kenny Chesney, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Keith Urban, Little Big Town, Kelsea Ballerini, Zac Brown Band and more. In addition, many of the artists will share their favorite summer memories and activities.
Westwood One’s Summer Kick Off With Jake Owen will also remember the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. After all, Memorial Day is an opportunity to pay tribute to all of the veterans who died serving our great nation. As we relax with family and friends over the Memorial Day weekend, let’s be sure to remember those who lost their lives protecting our freedom and thank those who serve or have served in our Armed Forces.
Stations can air Westwood One’s Summer Kick Off With Jake Owen any time Saturday, May 26 through Monday, May 28, 2018. Check your local listings for air times.
The Girls Rock Camp Alliance, a nonprofit that supports summer camps and music education programs for female, transgender and gender non-conforming youth, is hosting an auction that features items donated by Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Kacey Musgraves, Amanda Shires and more.
The Girls Rock Reverb Charity Auction opens on May 10, offering bidders the chance to purchase more than 50 items, including autographed memorabilia, instruments, equipment, concert tickets, jewelry and more. Other artists who have donated items include Laura Jane Grace, Fergie, Lydia Loveless, Marian Hill, Charli XCX, Sarah Lipstate, Lady Gaga, Melissa Etheridge, Sadie Dupuis, Evanescence, Ana Popovic, Tal Wilkenfeld, Jillette Johnson, Bonnie Tyler, Hayley Williams, Jillian Speece, Imogen Heap and Mindi Abair.
In addition to the donations, many artists shared their own thoughts and advice for young girls aspiring to become musicians.
“My sister and I were very lucky to have inspiring resources at our fingertips and people championing us to find our passions very early in life,” said Kacey Musgraves. “We need more perspectives of strong women living on through art and music, so I’m happy to support Girls Rock.”
Justin Timberlake treated fans at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena to a two-hour set during his Man of the Woods Tour on May 9.
The set included a not-so-surprising—but still electrifying—appearance by Chris Stapleton, who launched into super stardom on the very same stage during the 2015 CMA Awards as he collaborated with Justin on “Tennessee Whiskey” and “Drink You Away.”
During the second hour of the Man of the Woods show, an unannounced Chris joined Justin to duet “Say Something,” a tune the pair collaborated on for Justin’s 2018 Man of the Woods album.
After the song, Justin let the fans know that Chris’ night wasn’t over yet.
“Now you know I can’t let you leave without playing this song,” said Justin as his band began jamming “Tennessee Whiskey,” which prompted Chris to unleash his vocals.
Watch Chris and Justin sing “Tennessee Whiskey” below.
Tennessee Football graduates with coach Jeremy Pruitt / Credit: UT Athletics
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Led by the Southeastern Conference’s male scholar-athlete of the year and six Vols expected to suit up this fall, 14 Tennessee football players will receive their diplomas over the next three days.
In total, 56 Tennessee student-athletes are expected to walk across the stage beginning on Thursday and ending on Saturday.
Parker Henry highlights the Tennessee football contingent as he was named the male recipient of the 2017-18 SEC H. Boyd McWhorter Scholar-Athlete of the Year award. A former equipment manager who walked on to the football team and became the starting holder for two seasons, Henry majored in finance and political science and will receive a $20,000 post-graduate scholarship from the SEC.
Joining Henry will be six Vols expected to don the Orange and White this fall with degrees in hand: senior wide receiver Malik Elion (Kinesiology), redshirt senior defensive back D.J. Henderson (Communication Studies), redshirt senior defensive back Todd Kelly, Jr. (Biological Studies), redshirt junior linebacker Darrin Kirkland, Jr. (Recreation and Sport Management), redshirt junior long snapper Riley Lovingood (Recreation and Sport Management) and senior defensive lineman Kyle Phillips (Recreation and Sport Management).
“I’m excited for these young men who are graduating this May,” Tennessee head coach Jeremy Pruitt said. “That’s why they come here. They are student-athletes. Hopefully, these guys will be really good leaders for us this fall. It shows a lot of maturity that they were able to graduate in three years in some cases. I’m excited for them and their families, and I can’t wait to work with them this fall.”
Redshirt senior linebacker Dillon Bates will give the Vols seven graduates on the roster this fall after he earned his degree in Recreation and Sport Management in December.
A pair of former Tennessee football stars will also walk on stage this weekend. Brian Randolph (DB, 2011—2015) will receive his master’s degree in Management and Human Resources, while Marquez North (WR, 2013-15) utilized the Thornton Center’s Renewing Academic Commitment (RAC) Program to obtain his bachelor’s degree in Political Science.
Placekicker Aaron Medley (Recreation and Sport Management), defensive back Justin Martin (Communication Studies) and offensive lineman Coleman Thomas (Communication Studies) will also receive their diplomas after wrapping up their Big Orange careers last fall.
Several of the Tennessee graduates expressed gratitude to the staff of the Thornton Center, which offers academic counseling services, career development programs and tutor programs among many features.
“I’m proud to represent my family and my school, and be able to walk across the stage,” Kirkland, Jr. said. “The Thornton Center played a big hand in my development. From coming in early in January 2015 (as an early enrollee) to this spring. I really appreciate everything they did for me. I have two years left and I will go to graduate school. I’m an SEC graduate. It’s a big accomplishment.”
Tennessee Football Spring Graduates (major in parenthesis):
SP Parker Henry (Finance and Political Science)
LB Darrin Kirkland, Jr. (Recreation and Sport Management)
LS Riley Lovingood (Recreation and Sport Management)
PK Aaron Medley (Recreation and Sport Management)
DL Kyle Phillips (Recreation and Sport Management)
DB Todd Kelly, Jr (Biological Sciences)
DB DJ Henderson (Communication Studies)
DB Justin Martin (Communication Studies)
OL Coleman Thomas (Communication Studies)
WR Malik Elion (Kinesiology)
Former Vols Receiving Their Diploma This Spring:
DB Brian Randolph (Master’s Degree in Management and Human Resources)
WR Marquez North (Political Science)
DL Andrew Butcher (Communication Studies)
QB Quinten Dormady (Recreation and Sport Management)
Quote from Tennessee Head Coach Jeremy Pruitt on Current Players Earning Degrees:
“I’m excited for these young men who are graduating this May. That’s why they come here. They are student-athletes. Hopefully, these guys will be really good leaders for us this fall. It shows a lot of maturity that they were able to graduate in three years in some cases. I’m excited for them and their families, and I can’t wait to work with them this fall.”
Quotes from Returning Student-Athletes on Graduation: Redshirt junior linebacker Darrin Kirkland, Jr.
“It’s a huge accomplishment and something I don’t take lightly. I’m proud to represent my family and my school, and be able to walk across the stage. The Thornton Center played a big hand in my development. From coming in early in January 2015 (as an early enrollee) to this spring. I really appreciate everything they did for me. I have two years left and I go to graduate school. I’m an SEC graduate. It’s a big accomplishment.”
Redshirt senior defensive back Todd Kelly, Jr.
“I’m excited to graduate and be called a Tennessee graduate and a Vol For Life. I’m so thankful for what the Thornton Center has done for me – from mentors to tutors to study hall. Everything they’ve done to help me get this far has been awesome. I can’t thank them enough.”
Senior defensive lineman Kyle Phillips
“This has been a great journey. It has always been my dream to get my college degree. I’m so happy I got the chance to do it here. Tennessee has really helped me blossom into the young man I’ve become today. Graduating in three years is tough, but it’s well worth it. Especially going into next year being able to take some graduate courses. I’m very excited about it. It takes hard work and dedication.”
Redshirt junior long snapper Riley Lovingood
“One of the best parts about being here at Tennessee has been participating in community service off the field, and getting to know people in the Knoxville community and really serving. Building relationships has probably been my favorite part about being here. Tennessee is my home state. Tennessee is always where I wanted to be. It means a lot to be able to have that degree and say I am a graduate from this university.”
