Jessie James Decker can now add “Brand Ambassador” to her flourishing résumé.
The singer/songwriter/TV personality/entrepreneur has been named the brand ambassador for South Beach Diet, a division of Nutrisystem.
The mother-of-two will appear in a 360-degree marketing campaign for the company, including TV, online, digital and social media.
“I have been following the principles of the South Beach Diet for quite some time,” said Jessie James in a press release. “My days often consist of juggling work while running around after my kids, and sometimes I forget that I need to focus on myself. With the South Beach Diet, I can easily grab a meal, a bar or a shake, and be confident that I am eating healthy, even on the go.”
South Beach Diet boasts a menu of more than 70 frozen and pantry-ready meals and snacks.
The University of Tennessee has finally recognized something we’ve known for years: Dolly Parton = higher learning.
Since the Fall 2016 semester, Dolly has been the subject of an honors class—”Course-Work: Dolly’s America”—at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, which is about 30 miles northwest of her hometown in Sevierville, Tenn.
The class is offered to honors history students. Materials assigned for the class include Dolly Parton’s book, Dolly: My Life, and other books about Appalachia like Hillbilly and Dear Appalachia. The wider watch list includes a range of media like the TV show The Beverly Hillbillies and trailers for Roots, Saturday Night Fever and Coal Miner’s Daughter—pop culture sources that are generally overlooked by historians. Students keep journals, making notes on topics like the perceptions of Appalachia in pop culture. At the end of the class, each student writes a 10-page work answering the question “What was Dolly Parton’s America?”
A few days ago, Dolly tweeted about the ongoing class.
From the girl voted in High School ‘least likely to succeed’ this sure is a blessing! https://t.co/3EnB8ixB4f
The University of Tennessee announced this evening the resignation of Senior Associate Athletic Director Mike Vollmar.
Vollmar, a veteran of 29 years in college athletics, joined UT in 2013 and was responsible for oversight of the Tennessee football program as a member of the athletic department executive staff.
“I want to thank Dave Hart for bringing me to Tennessee five years ago and giving me the opportunity to work at the University of Tennessee,” Vollmar said. “My family and I have really enjoyed this community and everything it stands for. This athletic department is tremendous from top to bottom and is blessed with great people. I have a great working relationship with Butch Jones and his staff and look forward to watching their continued ascent. We are proud of many things we were able to accomplish together including the enhancements made in the Anderson Training Center and the many other worthwhile projects that impacted all of our student-athletes.
“I met with John Currie this evening and informed him I was going to leave Tennessee to pursue other opportunities. I have enjoyed getting to know John the last couple of weeks and have no doubt he will do a great job leading the athletics department. It is my hope that every student-athlete at Tennessee achieves great success on and off the field.”
“Mike and I had a good meeting Wednesday, during which he informed me of his plans to resign to pursue other opportunities,” UT Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics John Currie said. “I appreciate Mike’s impact on the revitalization of the Tennessee football program and his service as a member of the athletics executive staff.”
“I would like to personally thank Mike for all his contributions to our football program,” UT Head Football Coach Butch Jones said. “I have nothing but respect and admiration for Mike and the work he did overseeing our football program. Mike is a tireless worker who has served nearly 30 years in athletic administration. I wish Mike and his family all the best in the future.”
Head coach Rick Barnes announced an international addition to the Tennessee basketball program Wednesday, as Yves Pons (pronounced: EEV PAHNS) has signed a National Letter of Intent to enroll at the University of Tennessee.
An exact enrollment date has not been set for the 6-6, 210-pound wing from Fuveau, France, as Pons plans to play with the French team at the 2017 FIBA U18 European Championships (Division A). Group Phase competition takes place in the Slovak Republic from July 29-August 6.
Pons will be a freshman for the Volunteers starting next season, however, and intends to major in Business.
The 17-year-old Pons is rated as a four-star prospect in the 2017 industry-generated 247Sports Composite.
“We’re very excited about the addition of Yves because he fits the culture and mentality of our program as a person, student and athlete,” Barnes said. “We’re all very thankful for the trust that he and his wonderful family back in France have placed in us. They’re wonderful people who have provided Yves with a strong foundation of character, accountability and work ethic.
“Yves will bring elite athleticism, explosiveness and versatility to our program—both on the perimeter and inside. He’s a long, athletic wing who can defend multiple positions, play fast and finish in transition, along with rebound on both ends. The SEC is one of the most physical and athletic leagues in the country, and those are two areas Yves and our team have a chance to excel in.”
Pons possesses large hands, broad shoulders and a chiseled, well-developed upper body. And his elite-level athleticism, lateral quickness and high motor enable him to excel as a multi-positional defender.
He was considered one of the top-10 international prospects at the 2016 FIBA U17 World Championships in Zaragoza, Spain. He shot .769 on two-point field-goal attempts at that event and displayed efficiency and power while finishing plays around the basket. He also averaged 10.7 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per 40 minutes at the championships.
Pons—who was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti—attends the INSEP (National Institute of Sport and Physical Education) Academy in Paris. Notable INSEP alums include Boris Diaw, Tony Parker and Ronny Turiaf.
Other major international and showcase events on Pons’ resume include the 2014 U16 European Championship in Latvia (his French squad won the championship with a 9-0 record) and the 2015 Jordan Brand Classic events in both Croatia (March) and New York City (April).
He will be Tennessee’s first-ever men’s basketball player from France and just the eighth international player in program history.
Pons becomes the third signee in this Tennessee recruiting class, joining forwards Zach Kent and Derrick Walker.
Head coach Rick Barnes announced Wednesday that 6-8, 250-pound forward Derrick Walker is joining the Tennessee basketball family, as Walker has signed a National Letter of Intent to enroll at the University of Tennessee.
Walker, who hails from Kansas City, Missouri, plans to enroll at UT this summer. He will be a freshman for the Volunteers starting next season and intends to explore a major in Exercise Science/Kinesiology.
“Derrick is going to blend nicely into our team due to his combination of size, strength and toughness,” Barnes said. “We’re also excited about his basketball IQ and the fact that he’s a vocal defender, a good rebounder and an excellent ball-handler and passer for a player of his size.
“So there are a lot of signs that point to him being able to help us immediately. His next challenge is to get himself into great shape so that he can make the kind of impact we believe he’s capable of.”
Walker—rated as the No. 3 prospect in the state of Missouri in the 2017 industry-generated 247Sports Composite—signed with Tennessee out of Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas, near Wichita, where he was coached this past season by former Gonzaga player Kyle Bankhead. Walker was a member of the 2016 class at one point, but decided in the summer of 2016 to re-classify back to the 2017 class and spend a post-grad year at Sunrise Christian. During the 2016-17 season, Walker averaged 14 points and seven rebounds per game.
Sunrise Christian also has produced former NCAA stars Buddy Hield (Oklahoma) and Sebastian Saiz (Ole Miss).
Walker played his AAU ball for MoKan Elite on the Nike EYBL circuit during the summer of 2016, helping that squad win the prestigious Nike Peach Jam championship in July.
He attended Raytown Senior High School in Raytown, Missouri, from his freshman through junior years. As a junior in 2014-15, Walker helped lead Raytown to a conference title and the Missouri Class 5 District 14 championship game while earning second-team All-Suburban White Conference honors.
He also played football (wide receiver) his first three years of high school at Raytown.
No Missouri native has ever lettered for the Tennessee basketball program.
Walker becomes the second signee in this Tennessee recruiting class, joining forward Zach Kent, who signed in November.
Gibbs high school offensive lineman Ollie Lane joined Erik Ainge and Brian Rice on The Erik Ainge Show on Wednesday to discuss his new commitment to the University of Tennessee football team for the 2018 class.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee returns home to Rocky Top and continues Southeastern Conference play this week, hosting the No. 10-ranked Auburn Tigers for a three-game series from Thursday, April 13 – Saturday, April 15 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.
The Volunteers (17-13, 3-9 SEC) enter the weekend matchup having taken two of three games against No. 7 Florida last week, marking the first series win for UT in Gainesville since the 2007 season.
The Tigers (25-10, 8-4 SEC) continue a season-long eight-game road trip with their weekend stop in Knoxville. Last weekend, Auburn dropped two of three games against the Texas A&M Aggies in College Station, Texas. On Tuesday evening, the Tigers came out on top of an offensive slugfest at Samford.
Thursday’s series opener will mark the 129th overall meeting between the schools, with Auburn holding the upper hand in the all-time series at 90-38.
SEC Network will carry Tennessee’s Thursday night opener vs. Auburn, with broadcasters Mike Rooney and Jason Benetti on the call. Friday’s Game Two will be available for viewing via SEC Network+ stream, with VFL and former UT first baseman Rusty Ensor joining former Vol Baseball broadcaster and current Tennessee Titans voice Mike Keith.
Weekend Matchups
Thur. April 13 at 7 p.m. ET– RHP Hunter Martin (4-2, 3.56) vs. RHP Casey Mize (5-1, 1.37)
Fri. April 14 at 6 p.m. ET– RHP Garrett Stallings (2-0, 3.00) vs. RHP Keegan Thompson (4-1, 1.27)
Sat. April 15 at 2 p.m. ET– TBA vs. RHP Davis Daniel (2-2, 4.86)
Tennessee vs. Auburn All-Time
All-time vs. AU: AU leads, 90-38
In Knoxville: AU leads, 38-19
In Auburn: AU leads, 52-19
Last 10 Games: AU leads, 7-3
Last Meeting: Tigers won, 7-6, in Auburn (4/16/16)
Auburn took two of three games in last year’s series between the programs in Auburn, Ala. Tennessee claimed the Friday series opener with a 13-4 win, but dropped the following two games of the series to the Tigers.
War Eagle Scouting
Auburn is off to its best start both overall and in the SEC in 14 years. The Tigers opened the season 23-8 (7-2 SEC).
Auburn reached 20 wins in only 26 games, the fastest since 2004, and reached its 2016 win total of 23 victories in 30 games.
D1Baseball Midseason All-American Casey Mize faces off against Vol senior Hunter Martinon Thursday night. Mize tossed his first career complete game on March 31 in a 5-4 win over No. 6 South Carolina, striking out 12 batters in the effort.
Auburn’s defense is second in the SEC with 35 double plays turns over 35 games.
Senior Daniel Robert leads the Tigers with three homers and 30 RBI in 35 games, tied for ninth-most in the league.
Robert, Jonah Todd (.362) and Conor Davis (.333) have all posted averages above .300 entering the weekend series in Knoxville. Todd also owns the most hits on the squad with 46 (7th in SEC).
Quick Hits: 2017 Volunteers
Keep on Walking:Pete Derkay has a team-leading 27 walks on the season, which ranks T-24th in the NCAA and T-3rd in the SEC through 30 games.
Rodger(s) That: Senior Jordan Rodgers has reached base safely in every game started this year (29), while his .375 batting average currently ranks second-best in the SEC. With a three-hit game at ETSU on Tuesday, Rodgers matched teammate Jeff Moberg with a team-leading 12 multi-hit games this season.
More on Moberg…: D1Baseball.com Midseason All-American Jeff Moberg owns 12 multi-hit games on the season. His .355 average ranks seventh in the league, while his six home runs are tops on the Vols squad in 2017.
The Vols have combined for 81 extra-base hits this year, including 21 home runs (already matching 2016’s complete season total.
The Vols’ 2017 roster boasts 17 newcomers including 14 true freshmen, two JUCO transfers and one graduate transfer.
Tennessee on [Rocky] Top
UT on NCAA charts (as of April 11):
Pete Derkay: 27 walks (T-24th), .90 walks per game (T-24th) and .492 OBP (25th)
The Volunteers struggled to find a rhythm against ETSU on Tuesday, as the Buccaneers held off UT for a 10-2 final at Thomas Stadium.
Offensively, shortstop Jordan Rodgers led UT at the plate with a 3-for-5 effort, while outfielders Justin Ammons (2-for-4) and Dom Thornton (2-for-4) each added two hits for UT.
Righthander Kyle Serrano made his first start on the mound for the Vols since Feb. 20, 2016 vs. Memphis in Chattanooga.
Smoky Mountain Challenge (April 26)
Tennessee and ETSU will compete in the Smoky Mountain Challenge on Wednesday, April 26 at Smokies Stadium in Kodak, Tenn.
First pitch for the game will be at 6:00 pm and gates will open at 5:00 pm.
Multiple ticket options are available for fans planning to attend the April 26 game at Smokies Stadium. Field level seating prices will be $10 for adults, $8 for children and seniors and $5 for current UT and ETSU students.
The Smokies will also offer “All You Can Eat” options ranging from $19 for adults, $17 for children, and $15 for students.
For more ticket information, fans are encouraged to call (865) 286-2300, visit smokiesbaseball.com, or visit the Smokies Box Office Monday – Friday between the hours of 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET.
On Deck for the Vols
UT hosts UNC Asheville on Rocky Top for midweek action next Wednesday, April 19 at 6 p.m. ET before traveling to College Station, Texas, taking on the Texas A&M Aggies for three games (April 21-23).
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee’s quartet of women’s basketball signees will make stop number two on the postseason all-star game tour on April 14, participating in the Jordan Brand Classic at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y.
The 16th annual Jordan Brand Classic, presented by American Family Insurance, is slated to begin Friday at 1 p.m. No television or live stream information has been provided.
First up on the day’s schedule will be a Global Showcase featuring young athletes from around the world, followed by New York’s finest in a Regional game. The All-American Girls will hit the court next, followed by the highly anticipated All-American Boys game. The All-American Girls game originated in 2014 with the support of Jordan Brand family member Maya Moore.
“We’re very excited to welcome this talented group of young women to our All-American Girls Game at Barclays Center,” said Larry Miller, President of Jordan Brand. “As the women’s game continues to grow, we’re proud to host a first-class event for these top-tier athletes.”
Tennessee’s representatives, comprising the No. 1-ranked recruiting class in the nation, include Rennia Davis, a 6-foot-2 forward (Jacksonville, Fla./Ribault H.S.); Anastasia Hayes, a 5-7 guard (Murfreesboro, Tenn./Riverdale H.S.); Kasiyahna Kushkituah, a 6-4 post (Austell, Ga./St. Francis H.S.); and Evina Westbrook, a 6-0 guard (Salem, Ore./South Salem H.S.). They are among 24 women’s players invited to participate in the event.
All four took part in the McDonald’s All-America Game in Chicago on March 29.
Toby Keith will host his 14th annual Toby Keith & Friends Golf Classic at Belmar Golf Club and Riverwind Casino in his hometown of Norman, Okla., on June 2–3.
OK Kids Korral
The fundraiser helps support Toby’s OK Kids Korral Foundation, a facility offering a home away from home for children with cancer—and their families—seeking treatment in Oklahoma City. The Korral is completely cost-free to families who stay. Last year’s Classic raised $1.175 million for the Korral.
The two-day event features a gala dinner, a celebrity golf tournament and an auction. Auction items include a guitar autographed by Merle Haggard and memorabilia from Cal Ripken, Jr., Dale Earnhardt Jr., Derek Jeter, Dak Prescott, Greg Jennings, Johnny Bench, Eli Manning, Wayne Gretzsky and Phil Mickelson.
Sam Bowie, Rocky Calmus, Nancy Lieberman, Scotty Emerick, Walt Garrison, Bart Conner and Ray Childress are already confirmed for the event.
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