Dear AskChuck@knews.com:

Your column about the University of Tennessee's decision to stop selling athletic apparel raised some points that I have wondered about for several years.

I guess the color doesn't matter as long as people keep buying it.

You counted 10 shades of "Tennessee orange" at a ball game and I have counted at least 12. Maybe it was 13 or 14. At my age, it is hard to remember these things.

Be careful, Chuck. I used to keep the binoculars trained on something important like the cheerleaders and majorettes. You must be getting up there in age, too. By the way, how old are you?

ROBERT OVERTON

Crossville

My next birthday is July 29th. If you follow NASCAR, I will be the same age as the number on Jimmie Johnson's race car: 48.

I don't think an age limitation is placed on being observant.

For instance, I also wonder why you have to remove a credit card "quickly" at a gasoline pump. Is technology in this area that slow? Things like that bother me for some reason.

As usual, I digress.

The column about "outsourcing" this job at UT - and the various shades of orange Tennessee apparel - touched off quite a response of email. Here's a sampling:

Chuck,

As soon as I read the first article (by Bill Brewer) in the News Sentinel business section about eSports Partners taking over from UT, I thought the same thing you talked about.

I went to their Internet site and e-mailed a comment about making the orange consistent. After all, it is a brand. You don't see Pepsi or Coca-Cola changing the color of their cans.

I work in marketing and consistency in a brand is very important. Otherwise, you have chaos. There should be a TBI investigation of anyone who sells merchandise that is not consistent with Tennessee Orange.

MICHAEL TUMBLIN

Knoxville

Well, I don't know if I would go that far (although I feel like it sometimes).

Consistency is the key word in this. There has to be a way to make the official school color more consistent.

Chuck,

I, too, have been amused by the plethora of colors that pass themselves off as Tennessee orange.

As I see it, the simplest way around this problem is for the School of Art to declare the proper shade of orange to use.

If they specify it using the numeric values of hue, saturation and luminosity - as defined in Microsoft Paint - it would be unambiguous, accessible and clear to all.

NELSON H. VAN WIE

Knoxville

Now you're talking, Nelson. Now we're making progress. We just need some 6-year-old computer whiz to punch the right button.

Chuck,

The problem you wrote about has to do with the manufacturers of retail products and not the actual team jerseys.

Remember, the material of the jerseys are designed and made with specific performance issues in mind.

For instance, you want to limit the ability of an opponent to grab the fabric but ventilation can be extremely important.

ALAN DAWSON

Knoxville

This still does not explain why the UT men's home basketball jersey has a faded color of orange that looks like it has been in the sun too long.

Hey Chuck,

If you went to an Auburn game last fall, you probably noticed a very different shade of orange being worn by the home team. If I could boast, it is indeed a deeper and richer shade of orange and looks beautiful with the navy blue. That shade of orange does not fade like UT orange.

I expect the Auburn faithful will bring out their dark blue this fall when the Tigers visit Knoxville (on Oct. 2). We certainly do not want anyone to be confused with the wrong shade of orange.

KEVIN C. BARRINGTON

Knoxville

I could not agree more.

Hi,

So you think Auburn's orange is "putrid" and you had the nerve to lump it with Florida's orange? How ignorant. Just so you will know, Auburn's colors are officially burnt orange and navy.

While you were sitting in the stands observing the many shades of UT orange (I agree), perhaps you should know the rest of the SEC believes it is closer to yellow in color.

Maybe orange does look good with navy blue after all

ROBYN PECK

Knoxville

My son, Chris, is a big Auburn fan so I will check with him.

About Peyton as the 'man' Chuck:

Regarding your column about voting for Peyton Manning in the ESPY Awards:

I voted for Peyton for male athlete of the year. As far as the best NFL player, I voted for Steve McNair. He is the quarterback for the Tennessee Titans and he is our home state quarterback.

ARLEY JOHNSON JR.

Sevierville

That's certainly your prerogative.

Be sure and check back next Sunday for a look at some of the ESPY Award nominees.

Send questions or comments to AskChuck@knews.com.