Page 160 - Cityview_Jan_Feb_2014

2014 Downtown Knoxville boatshow

Orange Sails:

The Vol Navy Tradition

T

by Damion Huntoon
Mooney, who arrived at Neyland Sta- Tennessee River itself from as far as

dium each gameday by boat on the Ten- Chattanooga and Huntsville, Alabama.
The traditions of the university of nessee River. Mooney began traveling Some members of the Volunteer Navy

Tennessee’s football team run deep— via the river because the gameday traf- arrive outside of Neyland Stadium as
but far from silent. From the joyous fic had become so bad in Knoxville that early as three days before game day, to

cacophony of The Pride of the South- his boat got him to the stadium much tailgate, relax, and prepare to support
land marching band playing “Rocky faster than his car. Nautical-minded the Volunteers playing football. Some

Top” while the stadium sings along, to uT fans soon discovered Mooney’s new diehard fans have been known to ar-
the players’ gameday entry via The Vol route, free from traffic and the crowds, rive for the first game and stay docked

Walk, to The Rock (the large painted and followed suit. over the years the throughout the entire season.
rock on campus freshly decorated for numbers grew until finally fans took on Today, the Vol Navy has grown to

every gameday)—to even the orange the name The Volunteer Navy—later more than 200 different boats of all
and white checker board end zones
shortened to The Vol Navy.
shapes and sizes—ranging from 110-

in Neyland Stadium—game days in Members of the Vol Navy commonly foot yachts to 10-foot johnboats. The
Knoxville are pure pageantry from launch from ramps in Tellico, Watts Vol Navy invites anyone to dock—and

dawn to dusk. And of all the university Bar, and Fort Loudoun lakes. Boaters waving the Vol Navy flag (an orange
of Tennessee’s football traditions, the from the eastern points of Douglas and pendant with an anchor fashioned

most unique is the Vol Navy.
Cherokee lakes use the Holston and with the Volunteer’s “Power T”) will
The Vol Navy was started in 1962 by French Broad rivers for their gameday make you friends quickly. The docking

then-uT football broadcaster george
passageways. Many others travel the
protocol is on a first-come, first-serve
basis. Larger vessels are encouraged to

arrive early to moor against the docks,
while smaller boats are encouraged

tie on, thus forming attached chains.
These boat chains can run as deep as 13

vessels, although no boats may tie up
beyond the sail line so as to allow pas-

sage through the Tennessee.
With a short walk from the port of

Volunteer Landing to the 100,000-seat
capacity of Neyland Stadium, Vol Navy

attendees find it easy to get to the game
and back for the post-game parties. Many

forego the game and stay along the docks
visiting, partying, and rooting for uT

from the comforts of their own boats.
To stay up to date with the Vol Navy,

sign up for a free membership at the
Vol Navy’s website, www.volnavyboat-

ers.com. The website keeps all ship-
board Volunteer fans up to date on

news, places to eat, weather conditions,
lakeside events, and local businesses

related to the boat enthusiast’s lifestyle.

14 DowntownKnoxvilleboatshow.com march 6-9, 2014