The banner on the wall behind Holly Warlick intended to be gracious toward the Tennessee women's basketball coach. But it also referenced the obligation handed down to Pat Summitt's replacement.
"The tradition continues ... Welcome Holly Warlick."
Warlick literally spoke to that tradition in addressing a reception Thursday night at the Knoxville Convention Center. The event was staged in her honor. The gathering of university officials, local dignitaries and boosters didn't need an introduction to someone who grew up in Knoxville and has been a Lady Vols assistant for 27 years.
So Warlick used the forum to introduce her staff right down to the office secretaries. She also laid out her vision for the program, which sounded like business as usual. She addressed not only those in attendance but Lady Vols fans in general by saying, "We sell our fan base to our recruits."
The presentation — both in content and delivery — had a Summitt-like quality to it. Small wonder then that Warlick paid her respects during the address with the following tribute: "I worked for a superstar. Pat has done nothing but teach me the right things to do."
The tutorial apparently included the importance of working a room. Warlick already has demonstrated an appreciation for public relations. This spring, she made every stop on the Big Orange Caravan. She also spoke at a United Way fundraiser in Oak Ridge earlier this month.
"That's how Pat built the program here,'' Warlick said after her talk. "I saw the importance of her getting out, everyone seeing her, selling the program. I've always thought that's important.
"... She taught me to do that. So I'm going to continue to do it. To me, it's part of the job. I understand that, have no problem with it. It's not a difficult part of the job for me."
If anything, this part of the job fits her outgoing personality. Lady Vols assistant coach Dean Lockwood has traveled frequently with Warlick and watched her interact with the public.
"She's one of those people, I've heard people say it about Pat, you'd never know who she was by how she relates to you,'' Lockwood said. "Whether you own the building or clean the building, you're the same."
The mood inside the building on Thursday didn't fully account for other sentiments swirling within the fan base. The combination of Summitt stepping down after 38 years to become the program's head coach emeritus and the consolidation of the men's and women's athletic departments has fostered a sense of apprehension. Richard Fraser, who has followed the team since the 1980s, has detected this feeling in conversation with other fans.
"What they're worried about is that the Lady Vol brand is going to disappear,'' Fraser said, "And, of course, (athletics director) Dave Hart has said that's not going to happen. We don't have any real reason to think it's going to happen, but I think there's still apprehension."
Warlick said that she hasn't come face to face yet with this discomfort. Lockwood thinks that Warlick might help ease the situation through her face time with the fans.
"I think this stuff is very important because it conveys an air of confidence, a sense of certainty about her leadership," Lockwood said. "From a fan's standpoint and from the public's, it's important to see that, to see how comfortable she is in her own skin in this role."
Dan Fleser may be reached at 865-342-6288. Follow him at http://twitter.com/FleserKNS and http://blogs.knoxnews.com/fleser
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Comments » 16
Theo writes:
I trust Holly, I don't trust Hart. Lady Vol fans will need to be vigilant.
RobbieT writes:
I happened upon this accidently through Wordpress. Just looks like a fan writeup, but not for sure. Some Vol may be interested.
http://norcalvol.wordpress.com/
miatatom writes:
Go Holly! Just like Pat, we are with you all the way.
Go Lady Vols!!!!!!
rickangstadt#239402 writes:
Had time to interact with Holly as part of the Cruising for a Cause in Tampa in 2008. She is definitely a down to earth person, very much like Pat. She qill make UT proud given the chance.
SummittsCourt writes:
I too feel the apprehension about losing the Lady Vol brand with the combining of the programs. All of the Lady Vols sports have been competitive and have winning traditions while the mens have all struggled of late. I would hate to see the women's programs start going the way of the men's. Hopefully Hart is a man of his word. we'll see.
TommyJack writes:
The lady deserves support.
KennyGVolsFan writes:
It's funny you say that! I feel the same way!
utvolz#637682 writes:
Holly has orange blood flowing in her veins. She, and the Lady Vol hoopsters will be just fine. I really don't see a drop off with this program. After all, we're STILL TENNESSEE!
pbishop06#1404960 writes:
Holly, you have been taught by the greatest coach in the history of basketball, women and men. You have been prepared to step into the role of Head Coach, but you are not Pat Summitt. You will build on what she has done, but you will make this team successful in your own right. I can't wait for the season to begin because I know this team will flourish under your leadership.
WCBB_FAN writes:
For those of you who are a Tenn. fan please support your new coach and tell the summitters on the summitt to stop bashing UNC and Louisville about their program. I can see war is about to take place on each board and it's all about the # 1 recruit. Folks, this girl is not going to commit to Tenn.
SevenT writes:
Bad decision to promote the career assistant
voloffaith writes:
No not really.......but the statement stirs up the base on your senseless remark.....how about we play out the season that is now how many months off? Bad decision may be to allow seven letters to continue the negative contributions to the site.....
LadyVolFan4Life writes:
I trust Holly 100%. Lady Vol basketball is unique, it's a family of sorts. If the job had gone to an outsider that was in no way tied to the program then maybe I would feel that this was the end of a dynasty, but that didn't happen. Instead, I look at this as the next chapter. People say how she doesn't have any head coaching experience, well she has 1 thing that no one else in the country has, and that is 27 years as an assistant to a true living legend. She has had offers to leave but she stayed with us, she understands the program, the traditions, and the fact that no matter how good other programs become, there is only one Tennessee. She was there almost every step of the way, helping Coach Summitt build a dynasty so I think that we as fans should stand behind her and support her. If you have negative comments, keep them to yourself because Pat Summitt, Holly and her staff, the players, and the true lady vol fans don't want to hear them.
ps11824 writes:
One can tell that some folks such as the not so loyal deaconboozer and WCBB_FAN know nothing of loyalty and very little about the Lady Vols program. If the boozer's comment was sensored, it needed to be. It had to be slanderous. Fans don't want folks commenting on this site who are not loyal to the program. After all, this is a Lady Vols site. There are plenty of junk sites for those ones to go and spew their venomous garbage. Try espn. They allow folks to get away with all manner of defamation.
I can't understand why obusive creatures would think we would appreciate words... only like-minded creatures enjoy such comments as those having to be sensored.
BigRMan writes:
98 reax your comments have more wealth in truth than all the gold in Fort Knoxx. I would trust your judgement and insight almost as much as life itself. You have poured your allegience into this program like the late Dean Martin poured many a martini on the rocks, slightly twisted with a shake, yet unshaken is your trust & loyalty to Holly. It's as refreshing as a cold Evian spring water after mowing the grass in 100 degree heat. I'm with you, you're my rock!
ps11824 writes:
BigR, right back atcha...'preciate that.
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