A Who's Who of University of Tennessee athletes turned out to celebrate National Student-Athlete Day by interacting with 300 children representing eight different Knoxville Area Boy's and Girl's Clubs at "Play Day.''

"I went to the boy's club when I was growing up,'' said UT freshman center Wayne Chism, one of about 100 athletes on hand Monday. "It was fun then, and it's fun now.''

Chism, like many of his fellow Vols and Lady Vols, got caught up in the spirit as the athletes and children played on inflatable toys, shot baskets in the gym and ate pizza together.

While it was Chism's first opportunity to interact with the Knoxville youth, former Lady Vols' basketball player Sidney Spencer has had multiple community service works over her career.

Monday's outing will be Spencer's last at UT as she leaves for Los Angeles and a WNBA career Wednesday.

"I don't even want to think about that right now,'' Spencer said. "Today it was just good to be a part of this, because we're all role models on and off the court.

"It's important we influence people in a positive way.''

UT receivers coach Trooper Taylor, along with defensive end Xavier Mitchell and soccer player Melissa Amado delivered a motivational speech to the youth.

"People will try to put limitations on you the rest of your life,'' Taylor told the children, eschewing the microphone and walking around the audience as he spoke. "But if you get your education and learn to use your brain, there's nothing you can't accomplish.

"The reason why is your mind controls the rest of your body.''

Taylor said he takes his public engagement opportunities seriously, particularly those involving young people.

"I lived in a three bedroom house with eight brothers and eight sisters, and my dad died when I was in the sixth grade,'' Taylor said. "There were a lot of times strangers left food on my family's doorstep. I had a lot of people help me to get to where I am.

"I feel I have a responsibility to be a positive influence for these kids, even if it's just one thing they take out of this today.''

Sophomore linebacker Rico McCoy still remembers his boy's club dealings as a youth.

"I remember Brian Mitchell and Darrell Green of the Washington Redskins coming to our club,'' said McCoy, who hails from the District of Columbia. "They really impacted us, stressing how important it was to go to school and get good grades.''

Junior pitcher James Adkins, making his first Play Day appearance, was taken by the number of children playing and seeking autographs.

"It's awesome seeing all these smiling faces and all the energy they bring,'' Adkins said. "This is the first time I've been able to interact like this.''

Judging from the smile on Adkins' face, it won't be the last time.

Jacqui Schuman, UT's assistant director for student development, said her first year running the program couldn't have gone much better.

"Our goal was to get the student athletes here and get them involved,'' Schuman said. "It wasn't hard to get them to turn out. You could see the Tennessee athletes really liked coming out and interacting.''