BRISTOL – The first time Bruce Pearl visited the Arby’s Classic, it snowed. And Pearl waited in the snow with everyone else. It was Pearl, a long line of high school basketball fans, and a lot of snow on Edgemont Ave.
“I waited in line,” Pearl said, smiling. “It was just, hey: Y’all have to wait, I gotta wait.”
This time, the University of Tennessee men’s basketball coach made his way into Viking Hall early on Tuesday evening.
No snow. No long line.
Pearl, wearing a black sports jacket, orange shirt and blue jeans, took a seat at a courtside table near the visitor’s bench.
“It’s a great tournament,” Pearl said. “I’d heard about the Arby’s Classic before I got to Tennessee.”
Pearl watched Bearden face off against Miller Grove (Lithonia, Ga.) in the semifinals of the Classic.
He playfully exchanged a smile and quick handshake with Briarcrest Christian senior guard Leslie McDonald, who has committed to the University of North Carolina.
And then Pearl again stood in a long line filled with fans.
But times have changed.
This time, Pearl stood a little taller. And he was signing autographs.
Engulfed in a swarming sea of children and admirers, Pearl signed everything that was handed his way during game-breaks. Hats, pictures, Arby’s slam-dunk contest scoring cards, business cards, shirts – all and more were handed to the spreader of Big Orange.
“I appreciate the response,” Pearl said. “I appreciate seeing all the orange in these fans.
“We’ve worked hard. They follow us on TV. You know you’re making it when I have a couple young guys give me some advice: That I should keep (Vols junior forward) Wayne Chism closer to the basket.”
The fans wanted Pearl’s autograph. And Pearl went out of his way to give a smiling collection of Classic attendees an unexpected, signed present for the New Year.
“This says a whole lot,” said Richard Ensor, Arby’s tournament director. “You can see all these kids love UT. And any time we can get a big-name coach here, it’s wonderful. It just adds more to our tournament.”
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Comments » 25
hdhurst writes:
you gotta' love him...Pearl is a pearl.
adamsck#591720 writes:
I hope Hamilton will pay that guy whatever it takes when the time comes. He's the best thing to happen to UT basketball since Ray Mears declared war on Adolph Rupp.
armyvol544 writes:
My nephew was at the tournament and got close enough to get coach Pearl's picture. He said everyone loved it when he showed up and he treated every great.
armyvol544 writes:
Should be "every one"
NoMoreWooAfterGoodOleRockyTop writes:
Thanks army...you are a grammatical titan.
WorkinLikeHeck writes:
"And any time we can get a big-name coach here, it’s wonderful. It just adds more to our tournament.”
Foolmore's and big name do not go hand in hand any longer. Pearl's does.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
P.T. Barnum would be proud.
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
Hey Workin, did you know Fulmer was fired and we have a new football coach? Just wondering because you still can't post without mentioning him. Seeing as how it happened almost 2 months ago I figured you would have moved on by now.
ncvol writes:
Pearl is a pearl....ditto...
Go Vols!
Greer_Vol_22 writes:
With Pearl's ex doing nails these days there is plenty of room for Bruce and his new significant other to "stand out at Arby's". Bruce is my hero!
http://advertisingwizards.blogspot.co...
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Yep, and Elvis, too.
GO VOLS!!!
JUGHEAD
THE_VOL writes:
And the kool-aid flows! I guess you fools think he was the ONLY coach there??? LMFAO!!!
mattlock writes:
Wow, you really burned us. . or perhaps he was the only coach there that matters to vol fans, which is what this site is for. . .
A wise man once said its better to have yourself thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.
creepykev#228270 writes:
Yeah, The Vol we hate hearing about UT and it's coaches that's why we come to this site to not read about them.
murrayvol writes:
Me either.
murrayvol writes:
No, not Elvis. He was recently spotted at a Minit Mart buying a fourpack of Twinkies.
GR82BAVOL writes:
The man knows how to work a room...he was awesome at the Classic!
We're fortunate to have him. He's a winner.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
A swell guy, God help us all to be more than we can be.
suPEARLman writes:
He is suPEARLman!!!
LDDFC912 writes:
CPF is in Bristol..... AT ESPN!!!!!! Let it go. I get tired of the constant Jerry Springer like bickering. He was let go...He got paid.Money in the bank! Move on!
POWER_T writes:
Anyone know who, if anyone, he was recruiting?
OrangeAppeal writes:
Hey Jerkin...
VolCrazy writes:
Nobody said anything about that. Keep laughing, the rest of us are, too. Just not for the same reason.
trl_x writes:
LOL! What an idiot...
Volumni writes:
The young kids sure are right about Chism needing to stay closer to the basket. A few times a game, okay, but when he spaces out and drifts to the perimeter, we are in trouble. We have enough wings, especially with Tyler trying to prove he's a guard too.
Would be awesome to beat Kansas today! Go Vols.
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