As hard it may sound, ESPN will show Knoxville some love.
The search for “TitleTown USA” will focus on Knoxville on Monday during SportsCenter at 6 p.m. and will be re-aired at 11 and 1 a.m.
The segment will showcase the accomplishments, the teams and athletes who have contributed to Knoxville’s success in sports.
In addition, ESPN Classic will air Tennessee’s win against Florida State in the 1999 Fiesta Bowl from 2–4 p.m. followed by the Lady Vols win over Stanford in Women’s NCAA championship game from this past season.
ESPN picked 20 sports communities for “TitleTown USA”. The 19 other finalists are Green Bay, Wis.; Louisville, Ky.; Gainesville, Fla.; Detroit; Williamsport, Pa.; Boston; Los Angeles; Columbus, Ohio; Chapel Hill, N.C.; Ann Arbor, Mich.; San Francisco; Pittsburgh; Valdosta, Ga.; Parkersburg, W.Va.; and Chicago; Lawrence, Kan.; Palo Alto, Calif.; Massillon, Ohio; and New York City.
Fans can vote online July 24-26 and the winner will be announced on SportsCenter during the 11 p.m. show on July 27.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
UT's new $45 million football…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 31
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Wow, that's wild stuff but I don't know if I can really agree with it. I think I am swinging to Boston or New York for that one. We don't even have a pro team. I guess Maryville High School is close though.
VolPride_13 writes:
Yeah I agree...Boston or New York, but we do have a shot because of Pat and THE Football team!!
BillVol writes:
nick, who gives a rat's about professional sports? In fact, any city with a pro team should be disqualified from contention for this "honor."
Einstein writes:
I agree with BillVol.
tigerwavenole writes:
Knoxville does have a pro team and it's a good one. The Knoxville Ice Bears have won the SPHL championship two of the past three years and are the current champ. That should count towards Titletown. Yes I know hockey isn't as popular as football or basketball but if you give it a try you'll love it.
rootin4volz writes:
Anywhere but Gaynesville.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Gentlemen,
It seems to be called “TitleTown USA” which implies championships which would include professional sports whether you like it or not.
Given the success of Boston in recent years,(Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots are close enough) I would give them the top spot.
Now my blood is as orange as a piece of sunquist, but if it wasn't for Pat, we'd be looking at some hard times in terms of titles. Except for maybe some sports that I am not aware of.
Tigerwavenole, thanks for the info.
ElizabethtonvolnNC writes:
Agree with Nickj - my corporate office is in Mass. and as much as I hate to admit it - because I can't stand any of those teams - it would have to be Boston.
brokebackvol writes:
funny, they didn't choose Tuscalooser
FWBVol writes:
I know they are so-called minor sports, but let's not forget the UT men's swimming team has won a NC and the men's track team has won multiple titles...I think that adds to the persona for UT.
Maybe they should have had different categories for college and pro teams, but the fact UT is in the mix is impressive.
I'm sure the boys and girls in Bama are crying a bucket of tears, and the KY Mildcats might be upset that mighty Rupp isn't going to get airtime either.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
ZZZZzzzzzzzzz.
Bigger_Al writes:
Yes, Lexington is not going to like being off that list and seeing BOTH Louisville and Knoxville on the list.
Great to be a Tennessee Vol, eh?
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
Could someone explain the inclusion of Louisville to me? Granted, I am a young turkey of only 28 years of age and don't follow a whole lot beyond Football and Basketball, but what have they won?
brokeback,
I have to agree. You would think that Alabama's 412 national titles in football would merit an inclusion. I guess some of those actually have to be valid championships though.
SFOrange writes:
if its all about titles--college and pro...its LA hands down (UCLA--most collegiate national titles, USC--plenty, Lakers, Dodgers, ex-Raiders, Pepperdine--national titles in h20 polo and volleyball, Fullerton--national titles in baseball).
dvols writes:
to he l l with boston and new york!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and espn"s love for them! please dont fall into the media trap!
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
SFOrange,
Good points. I may exclude Boston upon further review because their success is quite recent. Took the Redsox a thousand years to win it. The Celtics 20 plus, and the Patriots were terrible till about 6 years ago.
murrayvol writes:
Knoxville won't win this thing but being one of two SEC venues chosen for consideration is pretty sweet. Perhaps now the Vol Nation can finally put the "ESPN hates on us" schtick in the rearview mirror.
Wonder how Dawgville feels about (almost Florida) Valdosta getting the instate nod? Sweet!
VOLS85 writes:
RUMOR MILL:
There is a report that Todd Campbell was arrested...
...also Doug Matthews said this morning that a DB may be kicked out of the University due to grades soon...lets hope it is one of the 35 besides Morely.
I cannot confirm nor deny these rumors, but I hope they're both wrong...
LargeOrange writes:
I agree with murrayvol, Knoxville won't win it, but it is an honor to be on the list.
gohawks1 writes:
Like marc_ash, I'm wary. ESPN giving a shout out to Knoxville will probably include some four letter expletives, as they rarely show love to this part of the country.
GreerVol22 writes:
you can bet it won't be a shout, more like a squawk or a asthmatic wheeze.
rusty_shackleford writes:
Think they'll replay the "Tennessee Trailer Trash" comment by the Gameday goober, Chris Fowler?
gohawks1 writes:
Heh, heh, heh... asthmatic wheeze - now that's funny, Greer.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Knoxville deserves all the publicity it can get. Say, can anyone tell me if former Ohio State coach, John Cooper lives in the Knoxville area? I thought I saw him recently at a local diner the other day.
gavol2572 writes:
I live about 40 miles north of Valdosta on I-75 and I would have to give that town props on all the high school championships they've won and also the D2 titles also. They are pretty loyal to their programs down there so its kinda cool to see them on the list. But I will say that the power in the high school ranks is shifting from the city school in Valdosta to the county school of Lowndes.
volboy81#211803 writes:
was ESPN guilted into this or is some light finally shining in Connecticut? My bet is on the former!
ladivolfan writes:
I'm just so disappointed that Bluff City didn't make the list.
Go4Two writes:
just watched the ESPN spot great job Govols
philfan writes:
I cannot understand why some of you fans think that ESPN hates Tennessee and has it in for us. I have watched many, many Tennessee football games on ESPN or ESPN2. It would appear to me that they may actually favor us. If and when we win more of the important games, like the Vols-Gators contest, we may well be shown on TV even more often.
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Vol fans please do not be critical of certain tv network...Philfan is right, chill out, cool it, the Vols are on tv so much and maybe if we keep negative thoughts to ourselves we could see our orangeclad vols more often. Chill out.
OldBob writes:
Green Bay has ALWAYS been the only real titletown in America.
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.