Why is Tennessee called the Volunteers? And who are the Tennessee mascots?

The University of Tennessee sports teams take their name from the state’s nickname: The Volunteer State.

There is some debate how the state got the name Volunteers, but it is usually attributed to one of two events.

Why is Tennessee called the Volunteer State?

President James Madison called on Tennessee to help defend the "Lower Country” during the War of 1812 against Great Britain and asked to send 1,500 troops for the defense of the lower Mississippi region.

A separate expedition was placed under the command of Andrew Jackson, major general of the Tennessee militia.

Those same "Vols" became famous for their victory defending New Orleans in late 1814-early 1815. It was a resounding victory (even if the war was technically over). Jackson’s status as a national hero skyrocketed, propelling him to the White House in 1828.

Mexican-American War volunteers

A little while later, Tennessee was asked to help again.

Native Tennessean President James K. Polk’s secretary of war called for 2,600 volunteers to help fight in the Mexican-American War and 30,000 responded, ready to fight.

Who are Tennessee's mascots?

The university has three mascots, the fluffy one, the furry one and the man.

Smokey (the mascot)

Smokey is the most recognizable mascot at UT and has been elected to the Mascot Hall of Fame (yes, this exists).

Smokey (the real dog)

Smokey X is the Vols current live mascot and has been since 2013. He's from a long line of Bluetick coonhounds that started representing the Vols in 1953.

Disclaimer: Smokey X appears only at football games, not basketball games.

Davy Crockett

The native East Tennessean was a soldier and congressman best known for giving his life during the Battle of the Alamo in Texas' war for independence from Mexico.

Today "Davy" leads cheers by flying the Tri-Star flag as he leads the football team on to the field and waving the famous Power-T flag throughout each football game.