Barnes Announces Hiring of Assistant Coach Rod Clark

Barnes Announces Hiring of Assistant Coach Rod Clark

Posted on April 5, 2021
Rod Clark – UT Assistant / Credit: UT Athletics

Tennessee basketball coach Rick Barnes announced Monday that he has added Rod Clark to his staff as an assistant coach. A young and energetic rising star in the profession, Clark, 28, enters just his third season as a collegiate assistant in 2021-22.

“We had an opportunity to be very selective in making this hire, and I couldn’t be more excited about adding Rod to our staff,” Barnes said. “We weren’t the only high-major program who wanted him, but thankfully he wanted to be at Tennessee. He fits everything we prioritize in our program culture, and I know he is going to connect with our players in a special way.”

Among the players Clark has already helped to develop are current NBA standouts Tyrese Maxey (Philadelphia 76ers) and Shaq Harrison (Utah Jazz) as well as Gonzaga All-American Drew Timme.

“Rod understands how to develop college players and make them better,” Tennessee associate head coach Mike Schwartz said. “Before transitioning to the college game, he proved himself at the highest levels of high school and grassroots basketball. In doing so, he developed a powerful recruiting network built on genuine relationships.”

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, Clark spent the 2020-21 season as an assistant coach at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. The Governors posted a winning record and led the Ohio Valley Conference in offensive rebounding while ranking second in rebounding defense, third in turnover margin and fourth in scoring.

In Clark’s lone season at Austin Peay, senior forward Terry Taylor was named OVC Player of the Year after finishing the season as the only player to rank among the Division I top 10 in both scoring (eighth, 21.6 ppg) and rebounding (seventh, 11.1 rpg).

Clark’s first stop as a collegiate coach came in the Horizon League as an assistant coach at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 2019-20. The Flames posted impressive defensive statistics, leading the league in field-goal percentage defense, 3-point defense (14th nationally) and blocks per game. UIC finished the season with an impressive run to the 2020 Horizon League Tournament championship game.

For a two-year span from 2017-19, Clark honed his skills in player development, video breakdown and scouting as the top assistant coach at Sunrise Christian Academy in Kansas—a national prep basketball powerhouse.

In 2018, Sunrise Christian went 24-2 and finished the season ranked No. 2 nationally according to USA Today and MaxPreps. The 2019 squad followed with a 22-5 record, finished the year ranked 10th nationally and earned the program’s first-ever appearance at the Geico National Tournament.

Clark also spent time as a coach with the prestigious MoKan Elite program on the Nike EYBL circuit. MoKan Elite posted a 30-7 record in 2018 and reached the semifinals at the Nike Peach Jam. He built on that experience to guide MoKan Elite to the Peach Jam championship in 2019 (with a roster that included eventual McDonald’s All-American and Tennessee signee Kennedy Chandler).

Clark played his first two seasons of college basketball at Neosho Community College in Kansas and Redlands Community College in Oklahoma, respectively, before concluding his career at NAIA Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky. He received his degree in Communications from LWC in 2015.

-UT Athletics

Softball Preview: #18 Tennessee vs. Tennessee Tech

Softball Preview: #18 Tennessee vs. Tennessee Tech

Posted on April 5, 2021
Josie Willingham – Lady Vols / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The No. 18 Tennessee softball team is back in action Tuesday for a midweek doubleheader against in-state foe Tennessee Tech. First pitches against the Golden Eagles from Sherri Parker Lee Stadium are scheduled for 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. ET.

BROADCAST INFO
Both games can be streamed on SEC Network+. Fans can stream SEC Network+ on any mobile device through the ESPN App, or online at espn.com/watch.

All Lady Vol games can be heard on your local Vol Network affiliate or online at UTsports.com as VFL Brian Rice calls the action.

QUICK HITS
MIDWEEK DOMINATION
So far this season, Tennessee has compiled an 8-0 record in midweek contests, outscoring opponents 67-7.

SHIPMAN SAILING
Over Tennessee’s last six games, junior catcher Ally Shipman is hitting a team-best .471, going 8-for-17 with two doubles, one home run, nine RBIs and a run scored. The Valencia, California, native is slugging .765 with a .444 on-base percentage over that time span.

ASHLEY ROGERS IS EN FUEGO
Ashley Rogers picked up five wins last week as the Lady Vol pitched UT to victories over Furman, Liberty and Kentucky. Over those five outings, Rogers had an ERA of 0.81 with three starts and three complete games, including a complete game shutout of Liberty. In 26 innings of work, the Athens, Tennessee, native fanned 42 batters, allowed just eight hits and three runs.

SCOUTING REPORT

TENNESSEE TECH

2021 record: 13-17, 7-9 OVC

Series record: Tennessee Leads – 21-0

Last outing: A run-rule, 10-0, victory in six innings for Tennessee in Statesboro, Ga.

Key player/stat:  Tennessee Tech enters the doubleheader Tuesday on a six-game losing streak. Prior to that, the Golden Eagles had a run of five victories in a row, including a sweep of Morehead State. Beth McCulley leads TTU offensively with a .342 batting average and 11 RBIs. Nicolle Nysted is second on the team with a .338 batting average and a team-high six home runs and 17 RBIs.

UP NEXT
Tennessee embarks on its second SEC road trip as it heads down to Starkville, Mississippi, to take on Mississippi State April 9-11. All three contests can be streamed on SEC Network+.

-UT Athletics

Alan Jackson’s New Album – Where Have You Gone – Available May 14th!

Alan Jackson’s New Album – Where Have You Gone – Available May 14th!

Posted on April 5, 2021

Alan Jackson announced that his next album, Where Have You Gone, will arrive for fans on May 14th!

Where Have You Gone features 21 songs, including the title track. Alan says that the music on this album is a “little harder country” than he’s done before.

Alan shares a story of listening to the songs on Where Have You Gone and getting an unexpected result, “it’s funny, I was driving and listening to the final mixes Keith Stegall (Alan’s longtime producer) sent me, and I started to tear up. I was surprised to get so overly emotional, but I just love this kind of music.”

Alan wrote 15 of the 21 tracks, and says, “When I write, I visualize back home and growing up, real country songs are life and love and heartache, drinking and Mama and having a good time…but it’s the sounds of the instruments, too. The steel and acoustic guitar, the fiddle – those things have a sound and a tone…and getting that right, the way those things make you feel, that’s country, too.”

The track list for Where Have You Gone, includes…

1. “Where Have You Gone” (Alan Jackson)

2. “Wishful Drinkin’” (Alan Jackson)

3. “I Can Be That Something” (Alan Jackson)

4. “Where the Cottonwood Grows” (Alan Jackson)

5. “Way Down In My Whiskey” (Alan Jackson)

6. “Things That Matter” (Robert Keith Stegall, Michael White)

7. “Livin’ On Empty” (Alan Jackson)

8. “You’ll Always Be My Baby (Written for Daughters’ Weddings)” (Alan Jackson)

9. “Where Her Heart Has Always Been (Written for Mama’s funeral with an old recording of her reading from The Bible)” (Alan Jackson)

10. “The Boot” (Adam Wright)

11. “Back” (Alan Jackson)

12. “Write It In Red” (Alan Jackson)

13. “So Late So Soon” (Scotty Emerick, Daniel Tashian, Sarah Buxton)

14. “This Heart Of Mine” (Adam Wright)

15. “A Man Who Never Cries” (Alan Jackson)

16. “Chain” (Alan Jackson)

17. “I Was Tequila” (Alan Jackson)

18. “I Do (Written for Daughters’ Weddings)” (Alan Jackson)

19. “Beer:10” (Alan Jackson)

20. “The Older I Get”* (Hailey Whitters, Adam Wright, Sarah Turner)

Extra Track: “That’s The Way Love Goes” (A Tribute to Merle Haggard) (Lefty Frizzell, Whitey Shafer)

Produced by Robert Keith Stegall

*Produced by Keith Stegall

Where Have You Gone from Alan Jackson is available for pre-order now, –arrives May 14 — you can also check out the lyric video for the title track, right here…

Headline Photo Credit: Russ Harrington

Additional Photos Credit: Russ Harrington, and Gregory Ballos

Baseball Preview: Fourth-ranked Vols Battle EKU in Midweek Clash

Baseball Preview: Fourth-ranked Vols Battle EKU in Midweek Clash

Posted on April 5, 2021
UT Baseball Team / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Fresh off another series victory, the fourth-ranked Tennessee baseball team hosts Eastern Kentucky on Tuesday night at 6:30 p.m. in the first of four home games this week at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

After dropping the series opener at Alabama last weekend, the Vols responded with back-to-back wins on Saturday and Sunday to take the series and improve to 7-2 in SEC play this season. Tuesday’s matchup with the Colonels will be the second meeting between the two teams this season after UT defeated EKU 13-5 earlier this year.

GAMEDAY INFORMATION

Relying on the expertise of public health authorities, the state of Tennessee, appropriate university and government agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), we are implementing a number of new initiatives at Tennessee Baseball gamedays this spring. The well-being of our student-athletes, fans and staff are our top priorities and guide our decisions. Exposure to COVID-19 is an inherent risk in any public location where people are present; we cannot guarantee you will not be exposed during your visit.

The Southeastern Conference in August released several conference-wide fan health and safety guidelines for all member institutions this fall. The Tennessee-specific measures outlined on this page are in line with, and in addition to, the SEC’s guidelines.

Parking
Baseball parking is located primarily in Lots GF1, G16, and C1.

Additional on-street parking is located in C10 along Todd Helton Dr. and Chamique Holdsclaw Dr. and along West Volunteer Blvd.

Handicap parking is located in marked handicap spaces on Pat Head Summitt St. and in the G16 Volunteer Blvd. garage.  The 2021 parking map can be seen HERE (PDF).

For more information and gameday info, visit the Tennessee Baseball Gameday Information page by clicking HERE.

TICKET INFORMATION

Lindsey Nelson Stadium continues to operate with reduced capacity to align with state and local social-distancing guidelines for public gatherings. Season tickets, as well as single-game tickets for upcoming series are currently sold out.

Single game tickets may be available for select games based on visiting team ticket returns. Fans are encouraged to call the Ticket Office at 865-656-1200 for individual game availability. For weekend series, please contact the Ticket Office on Fridays before 5:00 p.m. Single-game tickets can also be purchased through Vivid Seats by clicking HERE.

In order to keep Lindsey Nelson Stadium as full as possible during a season with limited capacity, we are encouraging season ticket holders who are unable to use their tickets for a game(s) to either transfer your tickets to someone else (Instructions HERE), sell them on VividSeats (Instructions HERE) or participate in our new Seats for Student program (Instructions HERE).

BROADCAST INFO

Tuesday’s game will be streamed live on SEC Network+ and the ESPN app with Bob Kesling (PxP) and Charlie Puleo (color) on the call.

Fans can also listen to the official Vol Network radio call on Sports Radio WNML (FM 99.1 / AM 990), as well as UTSports.com and the UT Gameday app. John Wilkerson and Vince Ferrara will call the action.

SERIES HISTORY

Overall: Tennessee leads, 30-4
In Knoxville: UT leads, 18-2
In Richmond: UT leads, 3-0
Neutral Sites: N/A
Site Unknown: UT leads, 9-2
Last Meeting: W, 13-5 (March 23, 2021)

Tennessee’s 13-5 win over the Colonels just a few weeks ago improved its record to 18-2 all-time against EKU in Knoxville. The Vols have won 13 of the past 14 meetings in the series.

NOTABLE

Vols Continue Rankings Climb
UT’s enters this week as a consensus top-10 team. Its No. 4 ranking by USA Today, Collegiate Baseball News and the NCBWA is its highest since finishing at No. 4 in the final NCBWA and Collegiate Baseball News polls in 2001.

Extra Innings Magic
Tennessee improved its record to 6-0 when going to extra innings this season with last Saturday’s 8-4, 11-inning win at Alabama. The Vols have won their past seven games that have gone to extras dating back to 2019.

Starting SEC Play Strong
With last Sunday’s win over the Crimson Tide, the Big Orange improved to 7-2 in SEC play this season, their best start to league play since 2001 when they were 8-1. UT has also won its first three conference series for the first time since that 2001 season. The Vols have won both of their SEC road series, as well, marking the first time they have done that since 2005 (Auburn and Kentucky).

Non-Conference & Midweek Dominance
UT has been close to unbeatable in non-conference and midweek games in the past couple of years. Since the start of the 2019 season, the Vols are 58-10 against non-conference foes. The Big Orange have also posted an impressive 34-6 record in midweek games since Tony Vitello became head coach in 2018. Tennessee is 17-3 in non-conference games this season, including a 6-1 record in midweek contests.

Streaking Vols
A handful of Vols carry impressive streaks into Tuesday’s game. Liam Spence (31), Max Ferguson (22) and Jake Rucker (14) all have double-digit on-base streaks while Rucker (14) and Spence (11) both have lengthy hitting streaks, as well.

OPPONENT SCOUT

Eastern Kentucky Colonels

  • 2021 Record: 9-17 (4-8 OVC)
  • Rankings: Not Ranked
  • 2019 Postseason: N/A
  •  Head Coach: Chris Prothro (1st season) // Helped lead South Alabama to two conference titles and two NCAA Regional appearances as an assistant coach.
  • Predicted OVC Finish: 6th
  • Preseason All-SoCon Selections: Daniel Harris IV (1st Team – 2B)
  • Stat Leaders:
    • Batting Avg: Santiago Peralta (.333)
    • Runs: Caleb Upshaw & Cam Ridley (21)
    • Hits: Caleb Upshaw (30)
    • Home Runs: Caleb Upshaw (7)
    • RBI: Caleb Upshaw (26)
    • Stolen Bases: Cam Ridley (6-11)
    • Wins: Louis Davenport III & Bryce Travis (2)
    • ERA (min. 15.0 IP): Will Brian (2.60)
    • Innings Pitched: Darren Williams (35.2)
    • Strikeouts: Louis Davenport III (43)
  • Notable: EKU has beaten two ranked teams this season with wins over No. 15 Georgia Tech (Feb. 20) and No. 7 Louisville (March 16).

 

GAME PROMOTIONS

Upcoming promotions for all Tennessee athletics home events can be found on the UT Fan Experience page by clicking HERE.

Fans are encouraged to download the My All App for their phones and devices this season. The app is available on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store and will allow fans to participate in in-game trivia, the custom filter selfie cam and more throughout the year.

ON DECK

A top-10 matchup awaits this weekend as the Vols host No. 10 Florida at Lindsey Nelson Stadium. First pitch for Game 1 of the series is slated for 6:30 p.m. on Friday night.

-UT Athletics

Performers For the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards Announced!

Performers For the 56th Academy of Country Music Awards Announced!

Posted on April 5, 2021

The ACM Awards announced who will be performing on this year’s show — the list includes, hosts Keith Urban and Mickey Guyton, along with Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Ryan Hurd, Jack Ingram, Alan Jackson, Elle King, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, Carly Pearce, Jon Randall, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, The War and Treaty, Carrie Underwood, CeCe Winans, and Chris Young.

The awesome line of stars will be sharing their music from one of 3 legendary venues around Nashville…the Grand Ole Opry House, the historic Ryman Auditorium and the Bluebird Cafe.

You can see all this Sunday night, April 18th 2021, on CBS at 8pm ET/ 7pm CT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrie Underwood’s Easter Day Ryman Show Still Available to Watch

Carrie Underwood’s Easter Day Ryman Show Still Available to Watch

Posted on April 5, 2021

Carrie Underwood gave her fans a little Easter day present by performing songs from her My Savior album from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and she streamed it on her Facebook page for all to see.

If you missed it when it first happened, Carrie is leaving the show available on her page for a while…Carrie shares, “I hope you all enjoyed the show this morning! You can re-watch My Savior: Live From The Ryman now on my Facebook page for a limited time.”

Along with Carrie, special guests include CeCe Winans, Bear Rinehart (Wilder Woods) of NEEDTOBREATHE, Mac McAnally, and Buddy Greene Music.

Check it out here…and there’s still time for you to donate to Save the Children US. which works in over 100 countries to make sure children all over the world grow up healthy, educated and safe.

Carrie partnered with them for this special event, and as she says, “I feel like if we’re looking to do positive things in the world. Let’s help people along the way. I’ve worked with Save the Children in the past and they’ve just been a wonderful organization that does a lot of good things for kids in the world. It’s an honor to get to work with them again and do positive things.”

Headline Photo Credit: Jeremy Cowart

Additional Photo Courtesy of Carrie Underwood

Scotty McCreery Shares a Special Social Media Musical Moment on Easter

Scotty McCreery Shares a Special Social Media Musical Moment on Easter

Posted on April 5, 2021

Scotty McCreery shared a special moment with his fans on social media this Easter.

He took a little “You Time” to grab his guitar and strummed out one of his favorite hymns — “The Old Rugged Cross.”

Check out the video right here…

For another acoustic performance from Scotty, check out the “stripped down” version of his song “You Time,” which was inspired by his wife, Gabi…

 

Elvie Shane’s Debut EP – County Roads – Arrives April 23rd

Elvie Shane’s Debut EP – County Roads – Arrives April 23rd

Posted on April 4, 2021

Elvie Shane is climbing the country music airplay chart with his autobiographical song “My Boy” — now it’s been announced that on April 23rd, he’ll release his debut EP, County Roads.

Talking about the music on his new EP, Elvie says “It’s the story of who I am… all the twists and turns that got me to this very moment.”

From his upcoming EP, County Roads, this is Elvie Shane and his hit song, “My Boy.”

Photos Courtesy of Elvie Shane

Trisha Yearwood Joins Mitch Rossell on His Song “Ran Into You”

Trisha Yearwood Joins Mitch Rossell on His Song “Ran Into You”

Posted on April 4, 2021

Garth Brooks recently shared that he got together Mitch Rossell for a song writing session that also included Ashley McBryde.

Now Mitch has released his song “Ran Into You” which features Trisha Yearwood.

Trisha says, “When a songwriter comes to you with a great song it is such an honor to participate. Mitch Rossell, I love this song and I love you, thank you for asking me to sing ‘Ran into You’ with you.”

Mitch responded with “You’re incredible! Thank you so much for being a part of this, your talent took the song to the next level. I love you too”

Check out Mitch Rossell’s song “Ran Into You” with Trisha Yearwood…

Mitch isn’t the only one Trisha is duetting with on a song these days…she and husband, Garth, are still climbing the music chart with their song “Shallow” — which you can listen to here…

Trisha Yearwood Headline Photo Credit: Russ Harrington

Mitch Rossell Headline and Additional Photo Courtesy of Mitch Rossell

Justin Moore’s Straight Outta The Country – Arrives April 23rd

Justin Moore’s Straight Outta The Country – Arrives April 23rd

Posted on April 4, 2021

Justin Moore recently announced that he’s got a new project on the way! Straight Outta The Country — which features his hit song “We Didn’t Have Much” — will be available for fans April 23rd!

The 8 song collection includes the tracks…

1. “Hearing Things” (Rhett Akins, Kelly Archer, Chris Stevens)
2. “Consecutive Days Alive” (Casey Beathard, Monty Criswell, Jeremy Stover)
3. “We Didn’t Have Much” (Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)
4. “She Ain’t Mine No More” (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Jamie Paulin, Jeremy Stover)
5. “More Than Me” (Justin Moore, Paul DiGiovanni, Chase McGill, Jeremy Stover)
6. “Straight Outta The Country” (Michael Hardy, Cam Montgomery, Josh Thompson)
7. “You Keep Getting Me Drunk” (Rhett Akins, Kelly Archer, Paul DiGiovanni)
8. “We Didn’t Have Much” – Acoustic (Paul DiGiovanni, Randy Montana, Jeremy Stover)

Justin is also headed out on the road to share his new music with fans…his tour dates start this week…

Thurs., Apr. 8 | Casper Events Center | Casper, WY
Fri., Apr. 9 | Rushmore Plaza Civic Center | Rapid City, SD
Sat., Apr. 10 | Sanford Pentagon | Sioux Falls, SD
Sat., Apr. 17 | Justin Moore, Livestream From The Barn
Sat., May 1 | Richmond Harley-Davidson | Ashland, VA
Sat., May 29 | Weidner Field | Colorado Springs, CO
Sat., Jun. 5 | Flannagan’s | Columbus, OH
Sun., Jun. 20 | Country Summer Music Festival 2021 | Santa Rosa, CA
Fri., Jun. 25 | Morgan County Fair | Martinsville, IN
Thurs., Jul. 8 | Buchanan County Fair | Independence, IA
Fri., Jul. 9 | Country Concert | Fort Loramie, OH
Sat., Jul. 10 | Wenonah Park | Bay City, MI
Thurs., Jul. 15 | Bottle & Cork | Dewey Beach, DE
Fri., Jul. 16 | Bottle & Cork | Dewey Beach, DE
Sat., Jul. 17 | Carrington Pavilion | Danville, VA
Fri., Jul. 23 | Sunset Station Hotel & Casino | Henderson, NV
Sat., Jul. 31 | Seacliff Park | Leamington, ON, Canada
Thurs., Aug. 5 | Cattaraugus County Fairgrounds | Little Valley, NY
Fri., Aug. 6 | Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom | Hampton Beach, NH
Sat., Aug. 7 | Indian Ranch | Webster, MA
Thurs., Aug. 12 | Mechanics Bank Arena | Bakersfield, CA
Fri., Aug. 13 | Ironstone Amphitheatre | Murphys, CA
Sat., Aug. 14 I Toyota Arena I Ontario, CA
Fri., Aug. 27 | Citadel Country Spirit | Glenmoore, PA
Sat., Aug. 28 | Toyota Park | Bridgeview, IL
Mon., Aug. 30 | New York State Fairgrounds | Syracuse, NY
Thurs., Sept. 2 | Stark County Fairgrounds | Canton, OH
Sat., Sept. 4 | Walworth County Fair | Elkhorn, WI
Sun., Sept. 5 | Arts, Beats & Eats Festival | Royal Oak, MI
Sat., Sept. 11 | Harrah’s Council Bluffs | Council Bluffs, IA
Thurs., Sept. 16 | Centennial Terrace | Sylvania, OH
Fri., Sept. 17 | Allegan County Fairgrounds | Allegan, MI
Sat., Sept. 18 | Wild Things Park | Washington, PA
Thurs., Sep. 23 | Bismarck Event Center | Bismarck, ND
Fri., Sep. 24 | State Theatre | Minneapolis, MN
Sat., Sep. 25 | Alliant Energy PowerHouse | Cedar Rapids, IA
Fri., Oct. 1 | Appalachian Wireless Arena | Pikeville, KY
Sat., Oct. 2 | Hanahan Amphitheater | Hanahan, SC
Sat., Oct. 9 | Rockin A Arena | Palmyra, MO
Thurs., Oct. 21 | Cobb Energy Centre | Atlanta, GA
Sat., Nov. 6 | Harrah’s Laughlin Casino & Hotel | Laughlin, NV
Thur., Nov 11I The St. Augustine Amphitheatre I St. Augustine, FL
Sat., Nov. 13 | Golden Nugget Lake Charles Hotel & Casino | Lake Charles, LA

*dates are subject to change due to local conditions

This is a song Justin Moore will be playing for fans out on the road — it’s his song “Which Didn’t Have Much” — check out the special acoustic version from his upcoming project, Straight Outta The Country, right here…

Photos Courtesy of Justin Moore

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