Photo by Saul Young
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Members of the Vol Navy line the pier Oct. 4 along Fort Loudoun Lake near Volunteer Landing before the start of the University of Tennessee football game against Northern Illinois.
Photo by Saul Young
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From left, Chuck Brinker, Kyle Ludeen and Zach Showalter tailgate Oct. 4 on the deck of the Kokoasis, a Vol Navy boat docked on Fort Loudoun Lake. The boat’s owner, Andrew Polyack, runs an online forum that Vol Navy members use to communicate with one another
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A few days before the game, the boats dock along the river between the Henley and Gay Street bridges.
Some anchor, side-to-side, jutting out into Fort Loudoun Lake like a floating pier. They call it the Vol Navy.
A lot of the same boaters return for every University of Tennessee home football game, and they don't seem to mind sharing food, conversation and postgame analysis.
"We're down there for every home game," said Rusty Boles, a die-hard member of the fleet who has about 10,000 Power T's on his boat and even some seats from Thompson Boling Arena's renovation.
"We're not fair-weather fans," he said. "We support the Vols no matter what."
Boles said on Thursday that he'll be at the University of Tennessee-Mississippi State game today.
It could be viewed as a tough year for the boaters who come out to support the Vols (2-4). Aside from the team's disappointing record so far, boat owners have to pay more to fuel their boats this season. But the Vols' record didn't matter to Terrell Kerr, a Vol Navy stalwart, who has been part of the fan flotilla on Saturdays for 30 years.
He and his wife, Pete, like the camaraderie, UT football and the chance to stretch out the boating season. They bring their dog, Benny, who will howl along to "Rocky Top."
"He's a little old, so he doesn't hit the high notes like he used to," said Kerr.
On Thursday he said they might not make the game today.
"We're still trying to figure out if we can pull it off," said Kerr, a 1971 UT graduate. "Definitely going to be there for Alabama."
Billy Herron, another Vol Navy regular, said there probably will be fewer boaters there today but that it's not about the team or the economy. It's the time of the game (7 p.m.) and the weather. Cooler temperatures mean fewer boaters on the river, and traveling later in the evening means lower visibility and a better chance of hitting any floating debris in the water. Not all boaters stay the night in Knoxville.
Herron likes that everybody knows everybody and that they're even familiar with where each boater prefers to dock. The gathering doesn't end with the game, he said.
"We analyze the game to death afterwards," he said. "Most of us have grills; we cook out."
He said the Vol Navy might be a little smaller this year. He's not sure why, but he didn't rant about the Vols losses, the coaching or the players.
Teams go through seasons where they win and lose. They have good years and bad years, he said. Right now what the team needs is support, said Herron.
"Especially when they're down," he said.
Darren Dunlap may be reached at 865-342-6334.
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Comments » 26
TommyJack writes:
Arrrrrrr, mateys. That's the spirit.
steve22043#233791 writes:
So who do we want for new football coach and AD? The last few years theres been a few good candidates for football coach. This yeazr there's not so many, and AD is even a tougher call, but that's where the change is most needed.
98memories writes:
I guess I will go out in my canoe.
andy112382#209793 writes:
It is beyond obvoius why the new coach talk, but why do we need a new AD? List a few reasons for me... because he hired Pearl? Is getting the renovation of Neyland Stadium moving along nicely? Got the home of the basketvols looking good?
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
We have been fortunate to have had football teams for so many years with so many good seasons. And you know were all of the fans ever happy throughout the whole year? You mean martyrs, i think. Like you want Fulmer and his team to be , so you can go to work and bragg, i know how you feel i've done the same. And i eat it everytime we lose. Get back on the ship, show your spirit and your spunk. Not enough martyrs around anyway. We could always use one more. Welcome aboard mate.
GerryOP writes:
One more time, WeLoveUT...., most of us support the Vols, most of us do not support Coach Fulmer.
Your words "... Fulmer and his team ..." say it all. It is NOT HIS team, it is OUR team. He is employeed to coach OUR team. WE are The University of Tennessee.
fltapout writes:
WeLoveTennesseeVols
http://www.medicinenet.com/psychotic_...
khelton657 writes:
GerryOp says - "Your words "... Fulmer and his team ..." say it all. It is NOT HIS team, it is OUR team. He is employeed to coach OUR team. WE are The University of Tennessee."
Well said GerryOp.Fulmer said the other day he met w/ hamilton to discuss "our building that we are building"
( rough quote) . That's one of the problems, he thinks it is *his* program, too much about him.
southernson writes:
The big Orange spinn here is..... We can suck and still make money..You common fans can stay home you dont spend enough anyway.Matter of fact you dont even matter. Phil is Tennessee Football hes our coach infact we gave him a raise. We will just let you pay for it anyway.... While Hamiliton sits a top his throne looking down on the comman fan pheasants, wonder if he ever allows him self a lil chuckel, LOOK AT THEM LIL ORANGE SHEEP ,HE MUST SAY WITH A ELITE SMURK.. fire hamiliton and his lil fat buddy
JayTee writes:
I hope the VOL NAVY brought plenty of life boats. Even the rats are abandoning this sinking ship. Let's hope the captain goes down with her.
Volalumnus writes:
>>>Michael rowed the boat ashore.......
Last 36 hours have been a handful of meaningless articles for feelgood phooey.
I guess the story now is that to enjoy knowxville, the football traditions we need to keep things as they are?????
Sorry folks, these feel good stories don't change the fact that you can do all that if Mickey Mouse was the coach. For that matter I have seen the Disney REEls with Goofy as the coach and he certainly got more done on the field.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Many don't travel at night.
Hmmmm - beer.
Vol Navy a little smaller,
hmmm $3.75 fuel and the application of the charts...hmmmmm
Oh well, give it your best shot, Orange.
SouthFLVolDog writes:
Staying home won't make a difference. It only hurts the players, fans and looks bad for UT. It won't hurt Fulmer. Sorry to say, but we are stuck with him for a few more years. He is too good of buddies with the ones that count. They will let him stay until he becomes the winningest UT coach ever (which at this rate may take a while). I wish he would just hurry up and do it so he can leave. I hope I'm wrong, but I really don't think these guys will push him out. Maybe if he lost the rest of the games, but that's the only reason.
ncvol17 writes:
I've always loved to see the VOL navy from the stadium. Also, it makes good press for the team. I'm not rich enough to rub shoulders with those folks whose homes are on the river and pilot down to games but they sure make a pretty sight.
rockytoptilidie writes:
You know, Sir, there is a huge difference between being a "fair-weather fan" and a "blind, deaf sheep" - acceptance of mediocrity makes me question anyone that says they are a "TRUE" fan.
Volalumnus - well said, friend. I'm tired of the rah-rah articles. I need to see a panel of KNS writers calling for Fulmer and Hamilton's jobs for lack of production.
Of course, they're afraid to do so because they'll lose locker room access...
CT_VOL writes:
The Vol navy is very much different then the Vol football team. How so? The navy did not choose to sink like the team!
Frank
HeckuvaStandpoint writes:
Don't set sail without plenty of FULMER BINGO cards!!
www.fulmerbingo.com
Boatloads of fun, especially during the post-game press conference or for that long ride home...
wyomingvol writes:
Hmmm, Supporting your team no matter what.....
A novel concept.
ncvol writes:
I love to see the Vol Navy on game day....At night,with the lights on the boats.....It's awesome.....Thanks for dressing up the fleet and looking great. I am so glad that you are supporting your team no matter what. It wouldn't be the same without you. Go Vols !!
volroadwarrior writes:
Maybe we will get a Messiah for President and Head Coach. Maybe they will have pretty teeth, a flat belly and really make us feel good as we go further down the tubes.
stormblast writes:
Nothing...nothing else to write about huh.
givehim6 writes:
OK this week I will let myself dream of a UT win, why? I think Miss. ST. give us the best chance we've had of a SEC win sence Auburn. A maybe for UK.
Colliervol writes:
Don't look now but our ship is taking on water. Will the captain strap himself to the wheel and go down with the ship or will he abandon it before it sinks? What say 'ye?
BigOrangeVol writes:
They are the Navy so their support and loyalty is unquestionable.
Loyalty to Country, Team and Teammate
Serve with honor and integrity on and off the battlefield
Ready to lead, ready to follow, never quit
Take responsibility for your actions and the actions of your Teammates
Excel as warriors through discipline and innovation
Train for war, fight to win, defeat our enemies
Hooyah Vol Navy!
sgtvols writes:
gotta love it. Bobby Maze stated he chose UT basketball over Oak because Oak was a football school. Nuff said?
stormblast writes:
Wow. He said that?
It is what it is... ... ...
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