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Sharing spotlight no problem for Fulmer
Football coach says no one happier than he is about basketball team's success
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Believe it or not, Phillip Fulmer once had a tough time getting tickets for Tennessee basketball games.
Long before he became Tennessee's head football coach and the SEC's longest-tenured football coach, Fulmer was just another student desperate to get inside Stokely Athletic Center to see Ray Mears' basketball Vols work their magic on the hardwood.
"We used to have to sneak into the basketball games because there weren't any tickets in old Stokely," Fulmer said. "We had a doorman there that knew us, and we'd all have to go stand in the back there. That's how popular basketball was."
Nearly 40 years later, plenty has changed.
Fulmer now sits behind the Vols' bench during home games at Thompson-Boling Arena, for one. The team he's watching this year has ascended to greater heights than those he watched near the Stokely rafters, and this year's Vols are closing in on their first out-right SEC championship since the Mears era.
And men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl is wearing the orange blazer now, instead of Mears.
But now, as then, football and basketball are sharing the spotlight.
Fans still flock to Neyland Stadium from September to November, but now they make Thompson-Boling Arena a regular way station during the winter.
"I don't think anyone in the world is more thrilled than I am for Bruce and our basketball team and what they've been able to do," Fulmer said.
Needless to say, men's athletic director Mike Hamilton, who hired Pearl, shares that enthusiasm.
"I think that the success of the football program has been there for a long, long time, the tradition of the football program has been there for a long, long time," Hamilton said. "I think the basketball program has aspired to achieve some of that success and tradition. Now we're having that. I think you can be successful in men's and women's basketball and football at the same time, as we're proving you can be."
When it comes to fielding prominent football and men's basketball teams, Tennessee is in some elite company.
How elite? Only three other schools - Kansas, Wisconsin and Texas - finished the season ranked in The Associated Press top 25 in football and were ranked in this week's Associated Press men's basketball poll.
Tennessee pulled off the same feat last year, joining Florida, Ohio State, Texas, Louisville, Wisconsin and Southern Cal as the only schools to post top 25 teams in football and men's basketball.
The dual success is a huge bonus for both programs, especially when it comes to recruiting.
When a football prospect can't visit Neyland Stadium during the fall, Fulmer can show off UT's facilities and passionate fan base at a basketball game. The reverse is true for Pearl.
When the Vols recruit a player who is interested in basketball and football, such as recent football signee E.J. Abrams-Ward, both coaching staffs are involved in the athlete's recruitment.
And all that television exposure, whether it's a Saturday afternoon in October or a Saturday night in February, still promotes Tennessee in the end.
"I think it's great," Fulmer said. "Everybody was all concerned when the (NFL's) Tennessee Titans came to Nashville. I told them at the time - just the fact that the name Tennessee's going to be out there on a national basis is a good thing. And now Tennessee basketball, particularly with what they've been able to accomplish the last two years, it just gets our name out there more."
With all the hype and near-24-hour promotion from ESPN surrounding Saturday's game at No. 1 Memphis, the basketball Vols have top billing on the marquee.
Still, football remains king, at least on the balance sheet.
Hamilton says that either directly - through things such as ticket sales, concessions and souvenirs- or indirectly - through things such as marketing rights, development dollars and UT's share of the SEC television rights - football is responsible for bringing in somewhere between 80 to 85 cents of every dollar spent on UT athletics.
"You can make a valid argument that both tangibly and intangibly football accounts for about 85 percent of the revenue for the University of Tennessee athletic program," Hamilton said.
Says Fulmer: "Our exposure, our ability to create a budget in football that can help all the sports, our uniqueness. We've had a lot of success here. There's been a lot of success here that should be good for all the sports.
"Whether it's on-the-field success or budget-wise, our expectations are very high and we carry a big load there. We feel like we've held up our end of the bargain pretty good."
Drew Edwards may be reached at 865-342-6274.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by nicksjuzunk on February 23, 2008 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fulmer said he had to sneak in to watch. Here comes another integrity attack by Adams!
Posted by pdhuff on February 23, 2008 at 7:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Feel good article. And they say Phil doesn't like the lime-light.
Beat U of M.
Posted by mparker on February 23, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I'll tell you one dang thing: the Vol fans CAN help recruiting by creating a positive image around the program.
I think it's naturual to gripe when you lose a game, especially the way games where lost against cal, UF, bama, and lsu. All four games had big 'turning points' that realted to the coaching staff as much as the players.
What burns me is the contant, never-ending assaults on Fulmer's character. How many of you actually know the man?
Well, anyway, I know it won't change, but if some of you think about it, remember that what you post DOES matter in some ways more than you realize.
Posted by weisgarber2003 on February 23, 2008 at 7:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ah, stay the course, Philly is such a swell guy.
Posted by sidwalkvol on February 23, 2008 at 7:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
how many schools can boast of football, men's bb and women's bb all in the top tiers?
Posted by grvol on February 23, 2008 at 8:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Then why did he lobby so hard to keep Buzz around?
Posted by TnFarmer on February 23, 2008 at 8:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
mparker I knew the man for years and he is all about winning and making the money. He has finally gotten too old to continue chasing the young girls. I guess he feels a little guilt since his kids are getting grown. So character attacks may be a feasible way to rid K-town of PHATT PHIL
Posted by brat52 on February 23, 2008 at 9:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can you say jealous, envious? To attack someones character doesn't take any brains. It shows how low and sorry some folks really are! People who are successful (Fulmer) will always have naysayers because some just can't be happy with other folks being successful and they aren't. Maybe if they would get off their lazy duffs and try and do something that is good for someone else and others, success just might come knocking at their door, but wait! That is just too much like work and takes soooooo much effort! Heck, it is just easier to set in your lazy chair, drinking your brews and smoking your rabbit tobacco and complain. Do I always agree with Fulmer? No. We live in a free country so we can disagree with each other. But let us be civil about it. Stop the character attacks, and debate the facts. Imho, we have a major boast to make. Having the longest tenured coach in the SEC is nothing to sneeze at. It says stability, quality, and a solid foundation. If I were a betting man, Just about any other college in the country would be delighted to have a successful, talented coach as we have in Fulmer. Is he perfect, no, and neither are those who set and grouse about everything he says and does. There has only been one perfect man in this world and that was Jesus Christ. My Dad used to say there are those whom even Jesus couldn't make happy. That is a sad thought indeed. So you miserable old grousers, GET A LIFE! Before you wake up and find out that life has passed you by!
Posted by ryjenkins on February 23, 2008 at 11:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)
WE DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by rbatten9 on February 23, 2008 at 11:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok little brother fans come out and brag like you did before the game.
Posted by pearlman on February 23, 2008 at 11:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Hay Phil. Just in case you did not hear, WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by jhmclain on February 23, 2008 at 11:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
UT needs to pay what ever it takes to keep Pearl as the BB coach. I go back to the Mears years and they have had nothing like this since. I could see from the the very first game that UT was on TV with Pearl as coach that win or lose his teams would at least be fun to watch. To do what they did tonight with a subpar game from Lofton is just incredible!
Posted by dopedawg on February 23, 2008 at 11:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
We won!!!!!!!!!!!WE WON!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by RocketVol on February 23, 2008 at 11:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Sharing? Did I see that right? Sharing?
No! Bruce and Pat stand alone right now.
Posted by BigOrangeVol on February 23, 2008 at 11:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)
MSU singin' the blues!
Hey Tiger High, you were exactly who we thought you were; C-USA pretenders.
47% at the Free Throw line!
Bird was awesome with 16 points, 6 boards and 3 assists. 10 boards by JuJaun; 13 points and 7 boards by Weezy; J.P. gets 13 pts and 8 rebounds and C-Lo wins the game at the foul line...what more can you ask?
12-7 versus Priscilla's Pansies.
Now lets' go slam the 'dores!
GO VOLS!!!
Posted by budd on February 24, 2008 at 12:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The only spotlight Fulmer is sharing these days is from a KPD patrol car when they pull another one of his players over.
Posted by TennesseeTuxedo on February 24, 2008 at 2:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"After witnessing tonight's titanic win and the way this team went about their business for 40 minutes, the value of Bruce Pearl can never --- never -- be overstated.
Cheers to Bruce and the all the players . . . what a great, great night for Tennessee.
From Bruce Pearl:
Quote:
"...we’re not going to shy away from the one-versus-two questions.”
12 words. It's brief, it's part of a longer thought...but the confidence and swagger that is Bruce Pearl is thorougly on display with that sentence. And it's no surprise his players act and react on the court no different than Bruce because that's what college teams are: A reflection of their coach. They play with confidence, they play with swagger, they respect their opponents. But they go out there with the expectation...the expectation...of winning.
The converse of that is Phil Fulmer. Even when the cupboard has been loaded with talent, he wants no talk whatsoever about SEC championships, the BCS, being thought of as a great team, being thought of as a favorite in any game; he is gun-shy about daring to talk great because, Heaven-forbid, his team might have to back up his belief in them if there is, in fact, belief.
Following their leader, as any college team does, the Vols on the football field act and react with timidity. They go out there with the hope...the hope...of winning.
Where the football team recites, as a matter of uniform routine, how they believe they play better as an underdog -- how they forever seem to need a chip of disrespect on their shoulders -- the basketball team has a collective "bring it on" directed at every opponent no matter who they are.
They want, they desire, they demand that they are thought of as great, as a favorite and as a team and program to be reckoned with.
- One set of Vols acts and plays like a favorite.
- Another set of Vols acts and plays like the scrappy, disrespected underdog."-- StageVol
The results, the attention and the level of regional and national respect afforded both teams is in direct proportion to the respective men at the top.
Posted by 96VolGrad on February 24, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Tuxedo,
Shut it down. Quit whining. The school doesn't care about what you think. Neither do other fans. Opinions are like noses. Everyone has one and yours smells. Quit multi-posting your garbage on the site.
Sincerely,
Everyone.
Posted by givehim6 on February 24, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It's very good to say were #1! Seeing the BB vols play last night brought me just as much excitement as I use to get when the football vols played in an SEC champioship or national chamioship game us to give me! Better get the edge back phil, because bruce is THE MAN!
Posted by TommyJack on February 24, 2008 at 12:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I appreciate Dr. Fulmer's support.
Posted by TennesseeTuxedo on February 24, 2008 at 3:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Its funny that the University of Fulmer fans feel that they have to take some credit for the success of Bruce Pearl and his team.
Why does it matter what Phil Fulmer thinks about sharing the success of the UT basketball team?
The value of Bruce Pearl never ever be overstated. You can't say the same thing about Phil Fulmer can you?
Posted by vol88 on February 24, 2008 at 5:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
tdtn is back in a monkey suit.
Posted by pdhuff on February 24, 2008 at 5:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
vol88 5:02 - Gen Fritter would resemble that remark. LOL
Tuxedo - how's the Kevlar holding out?
Posted by TennesseeTuxedo on February 24, 2008 at 5:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have fact and truth to back what I say up. Trust me, I'm no rookie at this.
Fulmer is trying to get in on Pearl's success and try to siphon off some credit. Its ridiculous for this article to be even run.
Posted by TommyJack on February 24, 2008 at 6:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TennesseeTux: I'm no defender of Dr. Fulmer, but that just makes zero sense.
Posted by TennesseeTuxedo on February 24, 2008 at 7:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What makes no sense is Phil Fulmer trying to siphon off some credit for the basketball team's success, as he tried to do in this article. That is arrogance defined.
Posted by weisgarber2003 on February 24, 2008 at 9:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"Posted by RocketVol on February 23, 2008 at 11:36 p.m.
Sharing? Did I see that right? Sharing?
No! Bruce and Pat stand alone right now."
That little truth has yet to be internalized by Philly and "holistic" Hammie.
Posted by hueypilot on February 24, 2008 at 9:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
As the longest tenured football coach in the toughest football conference in the country, who has an enviable career won-lost record, who has spent all but a few years of his football playing and coaching career at his (and our) alma mater, then what he thinks about any of our University's athletic programs, particularly one doing as well as Men's B,ball is relevant. I see no "siphoning" here. Fulmer's a sports fan, like most all of us. And this is his school, too. In those Ray Mears days the football team had a section behind the visitors bench and stood the whole game and were a real part of the home court advantage. Fulmer was a student during that era so his observations are true and relevant. Posters like Tuxedo really make me scratch this old head. So much hatred. Pitiful.
Posted by TnFarmer on February 24, 2008 at 9:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Only articles that need to written with PHATT PHIL in em are the resignation letters. He needs to go now while the spotlight is "still" not on him. I'm with ya TNTUX..... partly!
Posted by TennesseeTuxedo on February 24, 2008 at 10:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Exactly, the basketball team's success has nothing to do with Phil Fulmer whatsoever, but yet he wants to try and grab some credit in the form of "sharing".
Imagine if Bruce Pearl ever came with such a statement during football season-especially a season when the football team was ranked number one in the nation.
Posted by posivol on February 26, 2008 at 7:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
TennesseeTuxedo---your just a moron.
85 cents of every dollar created by the football team who is coached by who?
you want to keep pearl then you damn well better be a 100% supporter of the football team since their paying his way dumbass!
dont think for minute either that pearl dosnt see the fickle fans shooting ole phil down and may be thinking dadgum if im rebuilding a team are they going to be calling for my head also.
maybe he will decide a program like indiana may be more supportive in the bad times as well as the good.
be a fan all the time,if you dont have something good to say then please just dont say anythijng at all.and also dont forget fulmer already brought us a national championship and as much as i like pearl,we are still waiting!
Posted by sjt18 on March 3, 2008 at 9:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
mcbrim1998, If the early promise of UT's O under Clawson bears fruit... you may regret your "support" for the man who hired them.
In case you don't remember, UF's D wasn't exactly good last year. Unlike UT's young D, yours didn't seem to get better and probably played their worst game of the season in the last game... then you lost valuable coaches.
Watch your blue and orange game or whatever it is you call it. If your O lights up your D the way it did last spring... forget any delusions you had about winning another NC.
Posted by volboy81 on March 3, 2008 at 10:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Vol FANS should work together as good as Fulmer, Pearl and Summitt! Coach K probably doesnt even know Cutcliff yet....Kevin Stallings probably doesnt know Vandy has a football team! (they do?)...I bet Pete Carroll couldnt care less about basketball. We are fortunate to have cooperative coaches who put egos aside and help each other!
Posted by sjt18 on March 3, 2008 at 10:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
UF, OSU, Texas, and others have proven that the football and basketball programs can compliment each other very well in precisely the ways being described here.
TennesseeTuxedo... I don't see anything in this article that comes close to an attempt to "siphon off credit". They do mention the reality that the football program finances everything else... so in that one respect CPF DOES deserve part of the credit... otherwise it just sounds like he's happy they're doing well and hopeful for a complimentary relationship like that at other schools.
You did read the part about CPF being a long time UT BB fan... right? But somehow you KNOW that he's only plotting to steal some credit...
Wow. That's just pitiful guy.
Posted by sjt18 on March 3, 2008 at 10:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)
volboy81, Don't know about Carroll... but I can pretty much guarantee that very little happens in Duke athletics that Coach K doesn't approve.
Posted by DadwasaVol on March 3, 2008 at 12:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Keep complaining about Fulmer and keep recruits from coming to Tennessee.
Posted by weisgarber2003 on March 6, 2008 at 9:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Fulmer isn't sharing the spotlight, because he ISN'T IN the spotlight and hasn't been for the last few years. The spotlight is on Pearl and Summitt. Fulmer has a long, long way to go to get into the spotlight.
Posted by SpringCityVol on March 7, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Now that you have spotlight sharing down, maybe you should try meal sharing fat boy.
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