Jim Balloch, Reporter - GoVolsXtra's Department

Recent Work

Pat's first home game: rickety bleachers, ham biscuits, and a small, noisy crowd Published 04/29/2012 at 4 a.m. 10 Comments
A small, dark old gym. A coach so young she looked like she belonged in a uniform herself. Just 53 fans in the stands. Many of them were family, friends or roommates of those players. And after the game, the ...
UT students on Summitt: sadness, support and admiration Published 04/18/2012 at 9:41 p.m. 1 Comment
From die-hard sports fans to those indifferent to athletics, University of Tennessee students expressed sadness at the decision of Lady Vols basketball coach Pat Summitt to step down.
Many wore orange for Pat Summitt Published 08/27/2011 at 4 a.m. 3 Comments
Thousands of people around Tennessee and the nation responded to the Facebook-generated campaign for people to wear orange on Friday in honor of Lady Vols Coach Pat Summitt, recently diagnosed with early onset of the Alzheimer’s type dementia.
UT students show their support of Summitt Published 08/23/2011 at 11:14 p.m.
As news that University of Tennessee Women's basketball coach Pat Summitt had been diagnosed with early-onset dementia spread across campus, the common reaction by students was a combination of shock and support.
One picture, two lives: Cathy Clarke, Cait McMahan united in art and recovery Published 04/24/2011 at midnight 11 Comments
Cait McMahan was leaping into the air, fists clenched, neck veins popping, mouth open in a scream of joy. The High School All-American basketball player had just led her Heritage High School girls’ basketball team to a rip-roaring come-from-behind win ...
After 30 years, anthem singer at Lady Vols games to hold court last time Published 11/14/2010 at 11:26 p.m. 7 Comments
Margaret Cox's blood runs just as orange as any avid fan of University of Tennessee Lady Volunteer basketball.
Ex-Vol Richardson pleads guilty to attempted robbery Updated 01/11/2010 at 7:45 p.m. 106 Comments
KNOXVILLE - Former University of Tennessee football player Nu'Keese Richardson pleaded guilty this morning in Knox County Criminal Court to one count of attempted robbery.
UT Athletic Dept. to return donations from accused swindler Bolze Updated 05/22/2009 at 9:43 a.m. 21 Comments
KNOXVILLE - The University of Tennessee Athletic Department will return $186,000 in contributions it received from accused fraud artist Dennis Bolze.
Former UT player victim of alleged Bolze scam Updated 03/31/2009 at 7 p.m. 1 Comment
KNOXVILLE - U.S. District Judge Thomas Varlan said today that he will issue an order forbidding bankrupt businessman Dennis Bolze's two shell corporations from engaging in any more business.
Warlick has been part of Summitt's climb Updated 01/25/2009 at 12:12 a.m. 6 Comments
Holly Warlick has been part of more Pat Summitt wins than any other player or coach - except Summitt herself.
Chasing 1,000: As latest milestone nears, Summitt's focus remains same Published 01/25/2009 at midnight 13 Comments
How much did it really take, coach Pat Summitt, to get so many wins? How many sacrifices? How much sweat? How much drive? How much patience? How many times did you slice a player with your famous stare? Or lift ...
Fans celebrate 8th national title with Lady Vols Updated 04/09/2008 at 11:34 p.m. 20 Comments
At the Lady Vols victory celebration on Wednesday, Shannon Bobbitt stood at a podium, reached up - way up - and pulled the microphone down - way down - to her face.
Will stadium score as site for UT fireworks? Updated 03/17/2008 at 11:49 p.m. 55 Comments
If you hear a lot of explosions near the University of Tennessee this afternoon, don't duck.
UT’s basketball teams have the orange faithful on the brink of madness Published 02/24/2008 at midnight 5 Comments
Electricity is colorless. In many cartoons and illustrations, it is represented by blue or yellow bolts. But Thompson-Boling Arena sizzles with orange electricity these days. The voltage has been rising steadily since 2005, when Bruce Pearl arrived like a lightning ...