Special to the News Sentinel
Judy, left, and Earl Brown pose with Tennessee's Chris Lofton during Vols' 2007 summer trip to Europe.
Road trips are rarely this convenient for Earl and Judy Brown of Louisville.
They were scheduled to be in Hattiesburg, Miss., on business this week. So this afternoon, they'll drive up I-59 to Birmingham and settle in for another basketball weekend with their beloved Tennessee Vols.
It's almost as though the NCAA tournament selection committee had the Browns in mind when it sent UT to Birmingham for the first- and second-round games of the tournament. Not only does the tournament fit their work schedule, they already have tickets.
Following the Vols isn't always that easy for the Browns, who have attended 141 consecutive UT football games (home and away) and only missed two basketball games this season.
They didn't just see the basketball games that counted. They saw the exhibition games in Europe, and the Pilot Rocky Top League games last summer at Bearden High School.
They saw UT's upset of Memphis in February when Earl was so ill he could barely stay upright. And they saw the SEC tournament game in Alexander Memorial Coliseum last Saturday when Earl secured a ticket five minutes before tipoff.
The Browns are just what third-year UT basketball coach Bruce Pearl has in mind when he talks so passionately about expanding the fan base on the road.
UT should put their picture on a basketball ticket brochure.
They're ticket-buying, long-distance-traveling is proof that you don't need a degree from UT to bleed orange.
They met at the University of Chattanooga, where Earl played the trumpet in the school band, and Judy was the band director's secretary. They began their football streak in 1996, even though Earl's job still took him all over the world. Back then, a road trip might go something like this: Kuwait, Pakistan and Gainesville.
Now that Earl has his own business - he consults other businesses on organizational development - the couple can maneuver their way through a basketball schedule.
The two games they missed this season had nothing to do with business. It was about the streak.
Judy wanted to follow the basketball team to New Jersey for two games in late November. Earl couldn't bear the thought of breaking the football streak.
"I negotiated," Earl said. "I told Judy we'd both go to the first game in New Jersey, then I'd go back for the (Kentucky) football game, and she could stay for the other basketball game."
Judy chose Earl and the streak over the basketball team.
Since then, they've been all basketball.
Judy only missed one night of games in that sweltering Bearden High gym last summer.
She had a good excuse: Her mother had to go to the hospital after a car wreck.
"I was interested in the team and also wanted to show support for the players," Judy said in explaining her devotion to the summer league. "If it were my child, I would be there. And I have adopted the team."
The Browns stand by their adopted family in sickness and in health.
Earl was struggling terribly with the flu and low blood sugar at the Memphis game.
His condition worsened as the game went along.
Finally, in the second half, other UT fans had to help him to a first-aid station.
He made it back to his seat for the last six minutes of the game.
The Browns had a different kind of problem when the SEC tournament moved to the Georgia Tech campus after a tornado hit the Georgia Dome on Friday night.
How would they get tickets?
After exhausting all their contacts, they decided to show up at the coliseum, wait and hope. Their hopes were answered one ticket at a time.
A stranger handed Judy a ticket and said, "Merry Christmas."
At Earl's insistence, she entered the coliseum alone.
When UT officials saw one of their biggest fans, they wondered about one of their other biggest fans.
They came up with a ticket for Earl five minutes before the UT-Arkansas game.
Judy and Earl don't have tickets for the East Regional in Charlotte - if the Vols advance that far - but they're working on it.
Judy's brother has connections at the University of North Carolina-Charlotte, and Earl has business clients in North Carolina.
They're also thinking beyond the East Regional to the Final Four, just in case.
"We'll be notified later if we made (UT's) Final Four (ticket) list," Earl said.
Never mind whether they make the list. If UT is playing in the Final Four, Earl and Judy will be there.
As Earl likes to tell UT athletic director Mike Hamilton, "We're not million-dollar contributors, but we're million-dollar fans."
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knews.com.
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Comments » 41
jasvol writes:
The Brown's said it right, million dollar fans! The only problem with this article is it was written by JA.
LargeOrange writes:
Adams I still think you suck and owe CPF an apology for demeaning his character especially on the radio in AL and GA, but I could learn to forget if you find more of these stories and print them. I go through a lot to try get to as many games as I possibly can (my personal best is making it to 12 of the 13 games in 1998, (missed the SEC game even though I live in Atlanta, but that is a story for another day), but I am not even close to being in the Browns league. Kudos to them, and others like them. Like the Adams lovers like to say about you, I call them like I see them, and I liked this piece.
CoverOrange writes:
That is what is so hokey about the committee keeping teams close to their fan base. Tickets for certain venues are sold out long before the tourney selection is announced and in some cases before the season begins. Have to be a millionaire fan to have a chance.
Silent_Fulmer writes:
Adams owes Fulmer an apology almost as much as Fulmer owes an apology for letting go of momentum after he got fat and happy with a 98' title and never was able to regain control before it was to late.
Were now the middle of the pack in the SEC. 0 SEC titles in 10 years this fall is proof enough.
Having free objective opinions in the news is what makes America great.
Enjoy your kool-aid blinders and go to big orange caravan tour LargeOrange. Once there you will find Fulmer and he will tell you that "he can wear an orange blazer too" and "to pack your bags for Pasedena" or where ever the title game is that year.
LargeOrange writes:
Pearlowns... You must be an idiot. #12 in the country and SEC East Champions is far from middle of the pack in the SEC. You have no credibility after this post.
MrBamSeydu writes:
NICE ARTICLE JOHN!!!!
Don't mind these so-called men who run around GoVolsxtra message board slandering you and whining about your Fulmer article. I thought women were the ones who never drop things? But I guess I'm wrong. These guys are still playing the crying game and you're STILL writing articles.
Oh, and I really love their cute little "boycotts" where they still read your columns and comment each and every one. Isn't that just precious?
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I want to be the Browns when I grow up(;-D)! Hope there are thousands more following our Vols all the way to the championship! I'm afraid the real world is as WD40 describes, however.
VOLinDAWGland writes:
But LargeOrange don't ya know that our defense sucks???
Just thought I'd pre-empt Pdhuff to save him some typing because that's just the type of guy I am.
Bigger_Al writes:
John Adams only tips 5%.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Naw, volinDawgLand, I've swore off and joined DLA- D-Line anonymous. Sjt18 has convinced me they'll be better (that's a given) and I'm attending meetings now.
Hope this fall our little DLA group doesn't suffer a major relapse. We'll know after UAB.
Wish I had your faith.
TheVolMan writes:
Bingo yemmusdarb! Great post about the cowardly whiners who haven't quite grasped the meaning of the word "boycott." LOL...
PS: Great article JA
mdvol31#660955 writes:
Kudos to the Brown family for going to all the games possible but that JA wrote the article surprised me!!John you still suck in my book but I know when to give a thumbs up.
RockyTop1 writes:
Who would say John tips 5% because in his eyes the service is always bad. He leaves a single penny...Good article though. GO VOLS and all TRUE VOL Fans!!
rootin4volz writes:
I wonder if the Browns (kudos to you, by the way Mr and Mrs Brown) think that Phil Fulmer's head ought to roll like John Adams does? Doubt it. Hey Johnny-Boy...where's the apology?
LargeOrange writes:
Good post mdvol31. It cracks me up that all of these 1st amendment Adams boot lickers show up to every one of his articles and praise him for voicing his opinion and his right to do so, but flame anyone who disagrees with what JA did. They don’t have the same rights? I don't believe I ever called for a boycott of John Adams, As I said before, I skim through his articles in case he quotes someone that might be saying something interesting. yemmusdarb I WILL be at the Atlanta caravan tour stop, I think it would be fun to see some of you Fulmer haters who like to call others cowards, show up and say what you think about CPF to his face, to do other wise would be shows the true cowardice. What about you TheVolMan are able to come out from behind your anonymous keyboard and say what you think like a real VolMan? I promise you, if I ever run into John Adams at a game, dinner or what ever, I will respectfully tell him exactly what I think about his article and radio road tour. Can you honestly say you would do the same to Phillip Fulmer’s face? You could very easily, CPF publishes dates and times where he will be and you can walk right up and say anything you want, if you had the stones,
dvol writes:
Hang in there John. I have a pretty good feeling these so called Fulmer fans will see the light before next football season is over.
comshirt writes:
I am fortunate to number Earl and Judy among my personal friends. When Earl was in the middle east last March my son and I attended the sweet 16 in San Antonio with Judy last year. They are true Vol fans, bleeding "Big Orange"! Go Earl and Judy!
etsuvol99#227561 writes:
Another yawner by Adams.
Fulmer bashers seem to come in 2 groups:
1. Old people who are upset at the way Majors went out.
2. People who don't know anything about football. You can tell these people by the way they throw around words like "predictable" when describing UT's offense, but when you're at a game and you ask them to predict the next play, even after letting them see the formation, they can't.
rockytopfrog writes:
I can understand attending all real games and even pre-season games, but all of the Rocky Top League games? These folks need to discover life beyond UT athletics.
Go Vols!
GoVol writes:
John - no one is reading...still.
givehim6 writes:
Nice article, go home john.
ect1983 writes:
LargeOrange----Let's see, you call PearlOwns an idiot(I think that same line was uttered in Napoleon Dynamite),anyone who agrees with JA a bootlicker, Adams sucks, all in a couple of lines... phenomonal.(we are so happy that you "can learn" <doubt it> to forget the columns you don't like) Where did yemmusdarb say he "hates " Fulmer. Where did anyone say Fulmer was a coward ?? Your other Orange Tinted wearing glasses friend RockyKnoxx called JA a coward....Would you call PearlOwns an idiot to his face ? Doubt it. Idiots are apparently any who disagree with you----Narcissistic, maybe ?
Here is a fact for you--I went to UT 1969-1973; First year, coached by Dickey---like him or not, the best "COACH" in the true sense of the word we ever had since Neyland. Replaced by the nicest Coach we ever had---Bill Battle----In 6 years, 59-22...5 bowls, 4-1 in those bowls...Never a losing season. Fired. Why ?---a steady course downhill...10-1,9-2,8-3...6-5.It took 10 years to recover.Any parallels in the last 6 years ? One can desire a change at the top and not hate the man. Mentor, teacher, etc(what coach isn't by the way ?) is nice---well, we have a lot of problems with the law, inconsistent punishment,5 coaches leave the "big happy family"...and many are thinking that 24-14 and winning one out of 4 crappy 2d rate bowls makes the coach deserve 2 raises and an extension.....maybe at Ole Miss or Miss State....but not here @ good ole UT; if so, we are then satisfied with MEDIOCRITY. If you are happy with Eastern Division champs,fine...most of my era are not ! Do i think you are an idiot for thinking otherwise..NO. Do I think we deserve more than E Division championships...HELL YES....Bcs bowls every 3d year, SEC every 5th is reasonable imo. JA is right about CPF to me...maybe not you. What if we lose to Fla, UGA, Bama and Auburn ? Would you want a change ? What will it take ?
The preening self-preserving PR from Hamilton and CPF is , as Tony B says, fatiguing...It is a tired act.
To call people idiot bootlickers with no credibility b/c they agree with JA that PF needs to go....I would say is somewhat ironical. Grow up.Your trite immature name-calling comments are embarassing.
LargeOrange writes:
1) I don't think any one other than a few TN fans think that TN Football is in the "middle of the pack" in the SEC 2) yemmusdarb is the same guy who on Saturday said about the tornado's that hit Atlanta that "IT WASN'T A BIG F'N DEAL!!!!" those were his words, we had 170 mph winds that came through my actual neighborhood and people died and many are left homeless, the very day he wrote this, sorry, but that was an idiotic thing to say, maybe I am still a little pi$$ed on that one. 3)I didn't say that anyone called Fulmer a coward, TheVolMan is the one that said that the people who disagree with JA are "cowardly". I was just asking if the people that ridicule CPF on a daily basis with childish name-calling and doughnut references etc.on this site would have the courage to say it to his face at one of the Caravans, (which you brought up). 4) As to your assertion that Dickey was the "best COACH" since Neyland, I think he was a good coach, but not better than CPF. Dickey coached 6 years and won 46 games an average of 7.6 wins in an 11 game season. How far is that from the 8 wins in a 12 game season or 10 in a 14 game season that you call MEDIOCRITY? You talk about "2d rate bowls" Dicky went to 5 bowls and only won 2 of them, the '65 Bluebonnet Bowl(3d rate) and '66 Gator bowl (2d rate). That is the record of the Coach that you remember as the best since Neyland, why not apply the same standard to the current coach? I do want better and believe we will be there sooner with the current coach and the new additions he has added, than some always unnamed new coach. You don't and that is fine. Realistically, I don't expect a BCS bowl next year, but I think '09 is realistic after we get the new O program installed and stable. Either way, CPF is here for at least a few more years and all the whining to the contrary is not going to change that. Perhaps you should grow up and get over what you can't do anything about.
rockyknox writes:
ect1983, I guess it is safe to say that you look up to John Adams for leadership. So Sad.
cdonsbach writes:
GO VOLS!
anthony writes:
The question is not, why do people hate adams, but why do people take up for him?? If the guy was doing his job, it wouldn't be an issue. Journalism is the only business where the customer is not always right. Where you can be called names. Made to feel guilty for caring(conspiracy theory-you crazy bunch of UT fans), and where the business calls for the firing of a coach??? You go figure out now who the cowards are and the patriots, or heroes. It 's a psychological issue, not a whole lot of you will understand it.
cdldoc#211897 writes:
They look like nicefolks and I really like Chris Loften, but I DON"T READ STUFF WRITTEN BY THIS CAJUN, ADAMS. I prefer folks of Phil Fulmer's character.
ect1983 writes:
RockyKnox---where in the world do u come up with I look up to JA ?I like his columns. Enjoying his columns doesnt mean I agree with all of them. In re to CPF...I absolutely agree with JA. As I said above...all he and ths KNS wants is for you and I to read and discuss...
LargeOrange...You dont live in Ktown. I have been a season ticket holder for 39 years...west side, section U...I dont know what your definition of "few" is, but there are a helluva lot of long time donors...and not small ones...including me, that think we are middle of the pack of the SEC...and trending down. Mr Hamilton knows how we feel...he is much more aware than you are that UT fans are as divided as Hillary and Barack.
Next, my life doesn't revolve around scouring these blogs to see what someone said last week about the tornado....and if you would take the time to read YOUR OWN POSTS....you called Pearlsown an idiot, not yemusdarb...you write so much phooey,and sling words like idiot,bootlicker, Adams sucks,etc you forget who you have called what. So try to remember who you called what..if you forget, refer back or print them off.
Now, since I figure by your immature posts, that you are about 15 yrs old, listen closely, Sonny-Boy....in 1964, Dickey took over a horrible program;he turned it around QUICKLY..I saw it, you weren't born yet. There were only about 12 bowls then.But most importantly, he left us in great shape...2 SEC titles in 3 years, and, according to Alabama standards,a national championship in 1967.
Now, we have a coach that is 52-25 in the last 6 years,missed one bowl game,lost 3 ,won two. Fair.At best. Great...for Ole Miss or Miss State. The Three bowl losses were at the very least,uninspiring... The discipline is non-existent. When someone is making over 2.3 million a year, and the patrons..like me...have to earn $5000 before taxes to sit in two seats, we have a situation that DEMANDS excellence....we are mediocre by the standards compared to when I went to school. You, and many of your ilk remind me of Kevin Bacon @ the end of animal House..."all is well". No, it isn't.
LargeOrange writes:
ect1983 - You figure wrong as usual. I have had six seats since 1985. 4 in W and 2 in XX3, so don't talk to me about donations, I wasn't grandfathered in when the donations went up. You say, "missed one bowl game,lost 3 ,won two. Fair.At best." Exactly the same record as your hero Doug Dickey. Winning the toughest division in the toughest conference in America 7 of the last 15 years is not MEDIOCRE. If you don't like what you see, give up your tickets and save the donation. I am sure that there are plenty of FANS that would love to sit in them and cheer rather than female dog and moan. Since you went to the Animal House references, you remind me of Dean Wormer, who said, "I hate those guys".
LargeOrange writes:
etc1983 posted at 10:43 p.m. "we are mediocre by the standards compared to when I went to school"
I bet you had to walk barefoot in the snow uphill both ways to get to school, didn't you? You are delusional if you think that Tennessee has ever had a better era than Neyland in '38 and the mid 50's and Fulmer in the late 90's. Your memories are cloudy, BTW they have medications to help with that, check with the AARP on that, but I wonder why, if you have been this long time fan, and Adams admirer, why did your GoVols account just get created in Feb 22nd 2008? Huh Steve?
EuroLandVol writes:
The Browns are an absolute treasure to the University of Tennessee Empire. They support the Vols in good or bad, hot or cold, home or even WAY away in some 3rd world gym in the Czech Republic. I have no doubt that Earl and Judy will be at all the games next year with their Tennessee Banner and American Ensign, singing every verse of Rocky Top even when we are getting beat by some unranked team.
This was a great season for Tennessee and much of it goes to the credit of folks like the Browns. Tennessee has never had it so good with strong football, basketball, and Lady Vol programs. Even the not so attended sports are doing well. Listen Necks, these are the good times. Savor it.
VOLnAla writes:
Great Story!! Go VOLS!
ect1983 writes:
Your personl insults , name-calling,----now we are up to needing medications, AARP insults,delusional, etc in addition to Adams sucks, idiot, bootlickers, and god knows what else, screams insecurity,narcissism , and of course , your 14 yr old mindset (I was mistaken when I said 15)..Yes I did walk thru snow,barefoot;I definitely am a member of AARP (great benefits, including motel discounts, car rentals, and travel benefits. Wait 36 yrs and you can join. The reason I just got an account is to address and irritate (boy, did I succeed) sniveling jock sniffing ,fawning little boys like you. . Your irritation and taking the bait at all the posts that disagree with you is fun. Three of the posters that have flamed you just laugh at your responses. They are the ones that got me to get an account...b/c of you. I thank them evry day.To respond with two different posts to my last one says it all. PS as usual,Hillary,you make statements that are figments of your juvenile imagination, to wit: I never said Dickey was my hero---where did that come from ?I didn't say I admire Adams, I said I enjoy his columns...especially when they irritate people like you, Little boy. And no, I dont hate those guys at all...I dont hate you--I just like to laugh at your responses; its like shooting fish in a barrel----too easy.
ronbliss writes:
This is a remarkable story. This reminds me of the time I was trapped in warfare in Hawaii, while I was stationed in the Navy. Stories like this gave me the extra power to make it through the blissful night.
Bliss, what, bliss who? Bliss oh yeah.
LargeOrange writes:
You are right etc1983, I have wasted way to much time on you. I hope you and your 3 friends enjoy your FB season and good luck on getting that new HC.
rockytop321 writes:
I was worried about you when they were hauling you down the stairs in Memphis, glad to see you're OK!!! Hey Earl, can I have a refund for those SEC tournament tickets you sold me in Atlanta (LOL)? Glad to see you survived the tornado, I was on the roads (not fun). Have fun this weekend, I'm in Colorado following my son playing college baseball. Great story, great people.
VolsAllways writes:
ect1983 yesterday @ 10:26 a.m. says - "you make statements that are figments of your juvenile imagination, to wit: I never said Dickey was my hero---where did that come from ?" I noticed that in this same thread at March 19, 3:33p.m. ect1983 said "Dickey---like him or not, the best "COACH" in the true sense of the word we ever had since Neyland.". While you did not use the term "hero" per se, when you described Coach Dickey as the best "COACH" since Neyland, I don't think it is fair to claim that this was a “figment of the other poster's juvenile imagination" based what you had stated earlier. I noticed you used an old lawyer trick by focusing on the word "hero", thus making argument about semantics rather than the substance. This allows you to avoid addressing the point made that the two coaches being compared did have the exact same bowl record over the same number of years. You defined the standard and judged it to be "fair at best" in Fulmer's case, but judge Dickey as the best COACH since Neyland on the exact same bowl record. Bias and hypocrisy? Looks that way to me, JMO. Good post LargeO!
LargeOrange writes:
Thanks VolsAlways- I dropped this because I was brought up to be kind to animals and old people. Like I said a few days ago to Old etc, you shouldn't bring a knife to a gun fight. I don't know what he thinks he is doing to the fish in a barrel, maybe he is trying to stab them with his pocket knife at the Sr. Center aquarium. I hope his metamucil doesn't kick in before he can get to the men's room. LOL
volusherG writes:
Hey VOL fans!
How about helping a BIG ORANGE BROTHER out!
Click or copy and paste the link below and vote for awVols1985, the TENNESSEE representative on CBSsportsline's Member Mayhem contest! Once you get there click on the page 1 link to cast your vote. Let's keep UT in the essay tournament too!
Thanks for your interest and participation!
http://www.sportsline.com/mcc/message....
GO VOLS ! ! !
BillVol writes:
Mike Hamilton should make sure that these good Vol fans are always with tickets. It shouldn't be all about money at UT. It is, but it shouldn't be.
Cleve writes:
How ironic that this jack-hole writes an article about Tennessee fans! Why not write an article about something you know about, like playing badminton with baby chicks or spy-camming Dave Hooker's dressing room? You are an idiot. Go away.
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