NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Volunteers kicked off their annual Big Orange Caravan in style on Tuesday, making their first stop in Nashville at the Marathon Music Works. This statewide tour is a gesture of appreciation towards the fans, and Nashville’s event allowed attendees to engage with prominent figures from the university’s athletics program, including football coach Josh Heupel, men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes, and the recently appointed women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell. Athletic director Danny White was also in attendance.
The tour is scheduled to continue its journey, with Chattanooga Convention Center up next on Wednesday. The caravan will then move on to the Memphis Botanic Garden on Thursday and will conclude its run at the Meadowview Convention Center in Kingsport, Tenn., on May 8.
Before an enthusiastic sellout crowd in Nashville, the coaches and the athletic director shared insights and engaged in a photo session and autograph signing. White discussed various significant topics during his media session, including the role of athletic director amidst the transformative period in college sports, the notion of revenue sharing with athletes, and the potential for a new long-term football scheduling model within the SEC. He also emphasized the importance of Nashville to the Tennessee brand and commended Caldwell on her integration into the Knoxville community.
During his media availability, White highlighted the significance of events like the Big Orange Caravan, particularly for a new coach like Caldwell, to experience the passion of Tennessee’s fanbase. He praised Caldwell’s immediate impact, her efforts in recruiting, and her ability to foster strong relationships within the team. White also spoke about Tennessee’s efforts to reinforce its presence in Nashville, a critical market for the university, citing population growth and the increasing number of alumni in the area as key factors.
White pointed to the success of Tennessee’s athletic programs as a major draw for university applications, celebrating the powerful marketing engine that is collegiate athletics in America. Amidst the ongoing discussions in the era of the transfer portal and NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness), White emphasized the importance of addressing the broader structural issues within college sports. He expressed hope for solid leadership to navigate the challenges and maintain the unique value of the college athlete experience.
Looking ahead, White shared his anticipation for the SEC’s forthcoming decisions on a long-term football scheduling model and discussed the potential for more neutral-site games in Nashville, affirming the city’s importance to Tennessee’s athletic strategy while also emphasizing the primary focus on hosting games at Neyland Stadium.
The Big Orange Caravan’s stop in Nashville served not only as a platform for discussing the future of Tennessee athletics and college sports at large but also as a testament to the enduring bond between the university’s sports programs and their fanbase.