Big Orange Caravan Winter Tour dates announced

The University of Tennessee Athletics Department and the Tennessee Fund office has announced the 2009-10 Coca-Cola Big Orange Caravan Winter Tour schedule of events, featuring former student-athletes in 20 cities throughout Tennessee and surrounding states.

“These events allow us the opportunity to meet even more of our great fans across the state as well as neighboring states,” Men’s Athletics Director Mike Hamilton said. “The more interaction I have with fans, the more I’m convinced that Vol fans are the best fans in the nation.”

The Coca-Cola Big Orange Caravan Winter Tour officially kicks off at Saturday’s Tennessee Fund Donor Appreciation Day, which takes place prior to the football game against South Carolina. Always a crowd favorite, this year’s official “Tennessee Fund” T-shirt will be on sale at Thompson-Boling Arena.

This year’s Winter Tour schedule consists of a variety of events, including several men’s and women’s basketball game viewing parties as well as a pre-game event when the men’s basketball team takes on MTSU at Nashville’s Sommet Center in December.

Coca-Cola Big Orange Caravan Winter Tour events are free and open to all Tennessee fans and are designed to bring UT closer to the hometown of Vols and Lady Vols supporters. These casual events feature former student-athletes as well as current UT Alumni and Athletic Department staff.

“We will have 20 events scheduled on this tour and I encourage all fans to come out and show your spirit,” Women’s Athletics Director Joan Cronan said. “I am looking forward to better knowing our fans this winter.”

Below is a list of cities hosting Coca-Cola Big Orange Caravan events this winter. Venue locations will be announced closer to the event date and all times are subject to change. Information regarding event times and locations are continually updated on the Tennessee Fund section of UTsports.com or UTladyvols.com, or you can call the Tennessee Fund office for more information at (865) 974-1218.

Date Location Time

Thursday, Nov. 12 Memphis 6:30 p.m.

Monday, Nov. 16 Charlotte, N.C. 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday Nov. 17 Asheville, N.C. 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday Dec. 8 Oak Ridge TBA

Thursday, Dec. 10 Knoxville 6:30

Friday, Dec. 11 Nashville TBA

Monday, Dec. 14 Maryville 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 12 Morristown 6 p.m.

Thursday, Jan 14 Atlanta, Ga. 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 19 Chattanooga 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan 19 Kingsport 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 26 Birmingham, Ala. 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 9 Nashville 5 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 9 West Knoxville 6 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 15 Greeneville 6 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 22 Paris Noon

Monday, Feb. 22 Jackson 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 23 Dyersburg Noon

Tuesday, Feb. 23 Memphis 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 23 Franklin 7 p.m.