NBC is turning up the heat as they try to get viewers excited about the 2018 Lesser Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. And if you want to get people excited about the Winter Olympics, get a Canadian involved . . . get Shania involved.
A new promo for upcoming Games features Shania Twain singing her new song, “Life’s About to Get Good,” which will be released to country radio in June.
“I was at home looking out at the ocean and I said to myself, ‘Here I am stuck in this past of negativity, but it’s so beautiful out. I’m not in the mood to write a feeling-sorry-for-myself song,’” said Shania about penning the new tune. “You can’t have the good without the bad. And that’s what the song ended up being about.”
Check out NBC’s new “Life’s About to Get Good” promo that features Olympians Shaun White, Lindsey Vonn and more.
For the past week, Chris Young has been teasing the May 12 release of his new single, “Losing Sleep,” by posting instrumental audio clips on his Instagram page.
“Losing Sleep” will be the first single from Chris’ upcoming studio album, and it follows three consecutive No. 1 singles from his 2015 album, I’m Comin’ Over.
Check out Chris’ Instagram posts below to hear snippets of “Losing Sleep.”
The Sigma Pi fraternity of Columbia, Mo., posted a Twitter video on April 25 with their challenge: If the Nashville Predators beat the St. Louis Blues in their upcoming NHL playoff series, the frat will come to Nashville and donate 200 hours of community service to the charity of Carrie’s choice. If the Blues win, the frat wants Carrie to perform a concert in Columbia and donate the proceeds to a charity of the frat’s choice.
“I think everybody has looked at this and said it’s a blessing in disguise,” said Sigma Pi’s Tim Schweiss to Fox 17. “We get to go down to Nashville. We get to go do some awesome work down there and do something unique for charity.”
On behalf of Nashville, please stay in Missouri, Sigma Pi.
We’ve already got plenty of volunteers. Also, GO PREDS!
On this video, Erik breaks down how to take advantage of busted coverage during a play.
Submit your specific play suggestion in Tennessee history that you want Erik to analyze on an upcoming show and find out more about the exclusive weekly feature HERE.
Tennessee basketball player Shembari Phillips has requested a release from his scholarship, and that request has been granted.
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Phillips appeared in 31 games (with 13 starts) as a sophomore this past season. He averaged 6.2 points, 3.1 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 20.9 minutes per game. He also shot .375 from 3-point range.
“Shembari is a great young man, and I know this wasn’t an easy decision for him,” UT head coach Rick Barnes said. “We always need to do what’s best for our students. And in Shembari’s case, we’re going to do everything we can to help him find the school and program that’s the best fit for him. He’ll have plenty of options because of the kind of person and teammate he is.”
During his two-year Tennessee career, Phillips averaged 5.8 points, 2.4 rebounds and 1.3 assists while playing in 64 games and logging 24 starts.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The honors keep rolling in for Tennessee junior shortstop Meghan Gregg, as she has been named a top-10 finalist for the 2017 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year Award as announced by the USA Softball on Wednesday afternoon.
The award is widely considered the most prestigious honor in Division I college softball. The top-10 list is comprised of five seniors, four juniors and one sophomore and has representatives from eight different universities. Gregg is one of two SEC players to make the list, joining Florida’s Kelly Barnhill, and is the eighth player in program history to be named a top-10 finalist for the award.
The Williamson, Ga., native was just named SEC Player of the Year on Tuesday and ranks among the national leaders in a handful of offensive categories. Most notably, Gregg ranks second nationally with a career-high 71 RBIs, sixth in on-base percentage (.570), sixth in doubles (18) and ninth in batting average (.448). Gregg is currently on pace to break the Tennessee single-season RBI record of 77, which is held by Kristi Durant (2005) and Bridget Jackson (1996).
The top-three finalists will be announced on May 24 and the winner of the 2017 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award will be revealed on May 30 prior to the start of the NCAA WCWS in Oklahoma City.
The USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award is voted on by coaching representatives of 10 Division I Conferences in the 10 USA Softball Regions, members of the media who consistently cover Division I Softball across the country as well as past winners of the award.
View the complete list of top-10 finalists on USA Softball’s website by clicking HERE.
The NCAA on Wednesday announced its 2015-16 NCAA Division I Academic Progress Rate data, revealing scores that stand among Tennessee’s most impressive in the 13-year history of the NCAA’s Academic Performance Program.
Every Division I sports team across the nation calculates its Academic Progress Rate each academic year, like a report card. Scholarship student-athletes each semester earn one point for remaining eligible and one point for staying in school or graduating. Data released for this multi-year cohort includes scores from the 2015-16, 2014-15, 2013-14 and 2012-13 academic years.
Four Tennessee sports set records by posting their highest-ever multi-year APR score in program history. The football and baseball programs posted records scores of 972 and 979, respectively, while men’s cross country and men’s tennis posted perfect scores of 1000.
“There is much to be proud of in this latest round of APR data,” Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics John Currie said. “Our scores across the board illustrate a focused commitment to exemplary academic performance by our student-athletes, coaches and staff. Our Faculty Athletics Representative, Dr. Don Bruce, and Assistant Provost Dr. Joe Scogin in the Thornton Center play key roles in maintaining that as a priority.
“I’m extremely proud of the effort put forth by our student-athletes in the classroom, and I’m encouraged by the positive academic trends exhibited by the vast majority of our programs over the past several years.”
Fourteen of Tennessee’s 18 sports (as of last year, for APR purposes, scores for indoor and outdoor track & field are computed together) matched or increased their multi-year APR scores from last year. And 15 of UT’s 18 sports have a multi-year APR higher than the national average of all Division I schools.
Tennessee’s multi-year scores ranked as the best in the SEC in six different sports, which tied for the most first-place finishes in the conference. Those first-place programs included men’s cross country, women’s golf, men’s tennis, women’s tennis, men’s track & field and women’s track & field.
A total of 11 Tennessee programs—more than half of its sports—earned a perfect 2015-16 single-year APR score.
Wednesday’s APR data stands as further proof of the world-class resources and support available to UT student-athletes at the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center, led by Senior Associate Athletics Director/Assistant Provost Dr. Joe Scogin.
“I am continually inspired by our student-athletes,” Scogin said. “They continue to drive to greater heights, setting records year after year in the classroom and in the community. These results do not happen by accident–we have great student-athletes with the right priorities, led by coaches who support their academic pursuits, and an amazing Thornton Center staff that provides unmatched holistic support.
“This is a special time for these results to be released. This week we don’t only get to celebrate their day-to-day success in the classroom, we get to celebrate 66 graduating student-athletes, including 14 who still have eligibility remaining. It’s truly a special time at Tennessee.”
Head football coach Butch Jones cited UT’s institutional culture of valuing and emphasizing academic achievement as vital to his program’s highest-ever multi-year score (972).
“We are very excited about our recent APR score and the continued academic success of our student athletes,” Jones said. “The continuation of record-setting academics are further evidence of all the hard work, commitment and the culture that exists. Our significant improvements in the APR are a testament to our student-athletes, Dr. Joe Scogin, the entire Thornton Center and our staff. Our student-athletes and coaches will continue to strive for excellence in the classroom.”
It was also announced last week that Tennessee had a school-record-tying five programs earn APR Public Recognition Awards—its most over the last 10 years—by earning multi-year APR scores in the top 10 percent of their respective sports. Those teams were men’s cross country, women’s golf, men’s tennis, women’s tennis and women’s track & field.
Tennessee’s five Public Recognition Awards this year ranked tied for second among the 14 SEC schools.
Other sport-specific highlights from this year’s APR data:
Football recorded its highest multi-year APR with a 972, which is up 16 points from last year, up 27 points from two years ago and up 40 points from three years ago.
Baseball recorded its highest multi-year APR with a 979, which is up 14 points from last year and 45 points from three years ago, when it was at 934.
Men’s Cross Country recorded its first-ever perfect score of 1000, which is up 16 points from last year and 51 points from three years ago.
Women’s Track & Field (now combined) scored a perfect 1000 for the second year in a row, which takes into account both years of the new structure for track APR scores (previously there were separate scores for indoor and outdoor track).
Men’s Track & Field (also now combined) led all of its SEC peers with a multi-year score of 994.
Men’s Tennis recorded its first-ever perfect score of 1000. This marked a 28-point increase from two years ago and a nine-point increase from last year.
Women’s Tennis had its eighth consecutive year with a perfect score of 1000.
ABOUT THE THORNTON CENTER
The Thornton Athletics Student Life Center, led by Dr. Joe Scogin, was created to provide student-athletes with academic support programs and assist with both personal and career development. A comprehensive evaluation of Thornton Center operations upon Dr. Scogin’s arrival has provided for greater effectiveness and a stronger impact on the academic success of all student-athletes, bolstered by a new comprehensive departmental class attendance policy created and implemented in the Fall of 2012. The academic progress towards degree requirements require a student-athlete to complete various percentages toward degree completion, specific grade-point averages, and other requirements to remain eligible to compete. Assisting student-athletes in meeting these requirements is a critical function of the Thornton Center, as is calculating and forecasting APR scores. The University also encourages former student-athletes who left in good standing to return to school to achieve their degree. The SouthEast Bank Renewing Academic Commitment (RAC) Program works with former student-athletes by assisting them with advice on degree requirements remaining, course scheduling, tutoring, employment and internship opportunities offered through the Career Development and Life Skills department, and use of the Thornton Center for their everyday needs.
KNOXVILLE — The schedule for the 13th Women’s Cancun Challenge has been announced, and the Tennessee Lady Vols will face Marquette, Oklahoma State and South Dakota in the Thanksgiving Tournament.
The Cancun Challenge will take place at the all-inclusive Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya on the Yucatan Peninsula from Nov. 23-25. All games will be played in the modified convention center on the resort property.
Competing in the Riviera Division, Tennessee will open with Marquette at 6:30 p.m. ETon Nov. 23, followed by Oklahoma State at 4 p.m. ET on November 24 and South Dakota at 4 p.m. on Nov. 25.
UT is a combined 3-0 vs. its Cancun Challenge opponents, standing 2-0 vs. Marquette and 1-0 vs. Oklahoma State. The meeting with South Dakota will be the Lady Vols’ first. Tennessee last faced MU in Knoxville during the 2011 NCAA Tournament Second Round (W, 79-70, on March 21) and faced OSU at the 1992 Rainbow Wahine Classic in Hawaii (W, 69-60, on Dec. 4).
Marquette finished 25-8 overall and 13-5 in the BIG EAST last season, winning its conference tourney before falling in the first round of the NCAA Tournament. The Golden Eagles, coached by Carolyn Kieger, lose only one senior from that squad and return their top five scorers, led by WBCA Honorable Mention All-American Allazia Blockton.
Oklahoma State, coached by Jim Littell, ended up 17-15 overall and 6-12 in Big 12 play in 2016-17. The Cowgirls, who fell in the first round of the WNIT a year ago, lost four seniors from that squad but return their top three scorers.
South Dakota produced a 23-9 overall mark and 11-5 effort in The Summitt League, falling in the second round of the WNIT last season. The Coyotes, who are coached by Dawn Plitzuweit, lost five seniors from that squad but also return their top three scorers.
Tennessee will be making its second in-season trip outside the U.S. during the Holly Warlick era and third overall. UT went 2-0 to win the Lucaya Division championship at the Junkanoo Jam at Freeport, Bahamas, during the 2013-14 season and went 3-0 during a tour of Italy during the summer of 2015.
The Lady Vols welcome back seven letterwinners, including three starters from a 2016-17 squad that finished 20-12 overall and 10-6 in the SEC. Heading that cast will be a trio of seniors in WBCA Honorable Mention All-Americans Diamond DeShields (17.4 ppg., 6.4 rpg., 3.8 apg.) and Mercedes Russell (16.1 ppg., 9.7 rpg.) as well as Jaime Nared (15.6 ppg., 6.9 rpg.), who joined the two Coaches All-SEC First-Teamers as a second-team selection. The 6-foot-1 guard, 6-6 center and 6-2 forward, respectively, will arm UT with arguably as talented a trio as there is in the nation.
After sitting out last season with knee injuries, 5-8 redshirt sophomore guard Te’a Cooper and 6-3 redshirt junior forward Cheridene Green should provide Tennessee with immediate help in both the backcourt and front court. Cooper was an SEC All-Freshman performer in 2014-15 (8.6 ppg., 2.1 apg.), while Green was a two-time junior college All-American at ASA College in Brooklyn, N.Y., averaging 20.5 ppg. and 16.5 rpg. two seasons ago.
In addition to returning reserves Meme Jackson, Kortney Dunbar and Kamera Harris, Warlick welcomes the nation’s No. 1 recruiting class. That group includes elite guards in 5-7 Anastasia Hayes and 6-0 Evina Westbrook, an athletic wing player in 6-2 Rennia Davis and a strong post presence in 6-4 Kasiyahna Kushkituah.
The Cancun Challenge is one of the premier basketball events held each year and was rated as a top-five preseason tournament by Sports Illustrated in 2014. Teams stay and play at the Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya. The resort’s convention center ballroom is converted into an arena, which provides fans a special close-up view of the games. Once arriving to the hotel, teams and fans are treated to a spectacular all-inclusive rock star vacation with games, practices, unlimited dining and drinks, world-class entertainment and fun all in one location.
Located just off the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea, Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya offers the ultimate vacation for guests of all ages with both the adults-only and family friendly resort experiences. With a combined 1,264 ultra-posh and lavishly appointed guestrooms boasting balcony, terrace views or new, expansive sky terrace options with picturesque views, hydro tubs in each room, world-class shopping and endless style, Hard Rock Hotel Riviera Maya is nothing short of the ultimate crowd-pleaser. Complete with expansive outdoor pools and private beach, this all-inclusive escape offers nine world-class restaurants, eight bars and lounges, in addition to 88,915 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event space ideal for elegant banquets, themed parties, weddings, concerts, and more.
Seating is limited for this exclusive event, and all fans should book land travel packages through Triple Crown Sports for admission into games in Mexico. Travel packages are the only way to guarantee admission to games at this time. For travel package information, contact Sarah Sullivan at 970-672-0533 or by email at [email protected], or visit the website at www.cancunchallenge.net.
About Triple Crown Sports
Based in Fort Collins, Colorado, Triple Crown Sports has been producing events in youth athletics and the college ranks for more than 30 years. TCS runs both the preseason and postseason WNIT basketball events and produces the men’s and women’s Cancun Challenge tournaments in November. Triple Crown is also rolling out new “WNIT” concepts in D-I softball and volleyball, beginning in 2017. TCS youth fastpitch tournaments (including the 1,000-team Sparkler/Fireworks event) draw the nation’s finest club programs, and hundreds of college coaches attend TCS events for recruiting purposes.
MNF’s Sean McDonough (L) & Jon Gruden (R) / Credit: Allen Kee – ESPN Images
The dates and kickoff times of the 65-game NFL preseason schedule were announced today, beginning with the annual NFL/Hall of Fame Game between the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals in Canton, Ohio on Thursday night, August 3.
Televised live at 8:00 PM ET by NBC, the NFL/Hall of Fame Game is the first of eight national preseason telecasts carried by NFL broadcast partners CBS, ESPN, FOX and NBC.
NFL Network will also provide extensive coverage of the NFL preseason, including live game broadcasts in all four weeks of the preseason. NFL Network’s preseason broadcast schedule will be announced in July.
The 2017 preseason schedule was announced on April 10 without dates and times, which now have been confirmed.
The complete 2017 NFL preseason schedule is listed below as part of this NFL Communications release.
*** = Drafted rookies from University of Tennessee in action.
2017 NFL PRESEASON SCHEDULE
(Games grouped by start times and listed alphabetically by home team)
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s Meghan Gregg was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year while Caylan Arnold earned SEC Freshman of the Year honors as announced by the league office on Tuesday morning.
Gregg was also named All-SEC first team and earned a spot on the SEC All-Defensive Team. Arnold was chosen for the All-Freshman Team as well. Other Vols that collected SEC postseason honors were sophomores Brooke Vines and Matty Moss, who were both named All-SEC second team, and Chelsea Seggern, who joined Arnold on the All-Freshman Team.
With this year’s honorees, UT has now had 57 All-SEC selections and 26 SEC All-Freshman picks in program history.
Gregg is the fifth player in Tennessee history to earn player of the year honors, joining the likes of former All-Americans India Chiles (2007), Tonya Callahan (2008), Lauren Gibson (2013) and Madison Shipman (2014). The junior shortstop is having a career year, leading the SEC in RBIs, batting average, slugging percentage, doubles and total bases. Her 71 RBIs are a career high and rank fourth in UT single-season history. The Williamson, Ga., native has also been stellar defensively, posting a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in SEC play. This marks the second straight year that Gregg has earned All-SEC first team recognition. She is also a finalist for the USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year award.
Arnold is the fourth Volunteer to take home SEC Freshman of the Year honors and the first since 2011. Other Freshman of the Year selections include Monica Abbott (2004), Kat Dotson (2010) and Ellen Renfroe (2011). The Maryville, Tenn., native has been phenomenal all season long for UT, posting a 19-7 record with a 1.90 ERA and 140 strikeouts. She has recorded wins over eight ranked opponents, including victories over Oklahoma, Alabama and Florida, who have combined to win the past five national championships. Arnold’s 140 strikeouts are the most by a Tennessee freshman since Renfroe had 259 in 2011. She is also a top-25 finalist for the NFCA Freshman of the Year award.
Vines was named All-SEC for the first time in her career after earning All-Freshman Team honors last season. The versatile sophomore led the Vols with 22 RBIs in conference play and has set career highs in nearly every offensive category this season. Vines ranks second on the team in batting average, hits, RBIs, slugging percentage and total bases.
Moss has also built off a strong freshman campaign last year and earned All-SEC accolades for the first time in her career. The sophomore right hander ranks second in the SEC with 23 wins and is tied for fourth in the league with a career-high 162 strikeouts. The Greenville, S.C., native has defeated eight ranked teams while leading the pitching staff with a 1.80 ERA. She has also thrown 11 complete games and five shutouts this season, both career bests.
Seggern earned SEC All-Freshman Team honors after starting all 53 regular-season games at third base for UT. The Texas native ranks fourth on the team with 30 RBIs and is second on the squad with 18 extra-base hits. Seggern has also provided the Vols with a steady presence at third base, leading the team with 115 assists.
Tennessee opens postseason play in the SEC Tournament at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium on Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. The host Vols enter the tournament as the No. 3 overall seed and will play the winner of Wednesday’s first-round game between No. 6 LSU and No. 11 Missouri.
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