Mocs on the Mic

On the latest episode of Mocs on the Mic, host Chris Goforth delves into the volleyball seasons with Director of Volleyball and indoor head coach Julie Torbett and beach volleyball head coach Darin Van Horn.

Torbett is coming off a 2023 season in which she led the Mocs to a 19-14 record on the year, marking her second consecutive winning season at the helm of the UTC volleyball program.

Her tenure at Chattanooga has already seen her reach her 500th career head coaching victory, coach multiple all-conference selections, as well as lead the Mocs to back-to-back SoCon Tournament Semifinal appearances in her first two seasons with the team.

Van Horn is just kicking off the fifth season of Chattanooga beach volleyball, a program that was established by Van Horn back in 2020. Just a season ago he coached the Mocs to a 19-15 record, marking the program’s highest single season win total since its inception.

Last weekend, UTC beach volleyball kicked off its 2024 regular season at the Jacksonville Invitational, marking the beginning of the team’s 25-match schedule over the coming months culminating in the Ohio Valley Conference Championships, which are set to run April 25-27 in Morehead, Kentucky.

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On the latest episode of Mocs on the Mic, men’s tennis head coach Chuck Merzbacher and women’s head coach Chad Camper join host Chris Goforth to preview the upcoming 2024 spring season.

The men’s tennis team is coming off one of its most successful campaigns in program history after finishing the 2023 season with an 18-7 overall record, which included a 6-1 mark in league play and the program’s first-ever Southern Conference regular season title. The Mocs advanced to the 2023 SoCon title match for the first time since 2006 and eventually finished as runner-ups.

The women’s team put together another winning season in 2023 after finishing 14-8 overall and marking the sixth winning campaign in seven tries under Camper. The Mocs earned a national ranking early in the 2023 season after starting the year 10-1 which featured an eight-match winning streak, its longest since 2015.

Both teams have kicked off play against nationally-ranked opponents during the first week of action and feature numerous home events over the coming weeks and months. Follow Mocs on the Mic on GoMocs.com, Spotify or Apple Podcasts as we discuss all things Chattanooga Mocs! Click to subscribe to get notified when each episode drops.

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On this episode of Mocs on the Mic, host Chris Goforth delves into the men’s and women’s golf seasons with head coaches Colette Murray and Blaine Woodruff to recap the fall and look forward to the spring.

The Mocs golf teams had good starts to the season. Their respective falls included two team wins for the men and three individual titles between the two programs.

The guy are Top 25 in the mid-season NCAA Division I Rankings with two wins and two runner-ups in four fall forays. The team crowns came at Marquette and Furman with medalist honors for Samuel Espinosa (Marquette) and Paul Conroy (Furman).

The ladies came into the season with just two letter winners returning from 2022-23 and a nearly brand-new squad. They boast a win by transfer Makenzie Cooper at Old Dominion and solid beginning all-around.

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Chattanooga women’s basketball head coach Shawn Poppie and junior guard Addie Grace Porter check in with Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank host Chris Goforth to give an update on the team.

The women are off to a 14-3 start this season, including back-to-back victories over Mercer and Samford to open Southern Conference play. Poppie and Porter discuss the team’s hot start to the season, as well as preview Saturday’s in-state rivalry game against ETSU.

Under Coach Poppie, the Mocs have a record of 34-16 since he took over head coach responsibilities for the team in 2022. Poppie’s win percentage of .680 while at UTC ranks third in program history behind Jim Foster (.875) and Wes Moore (.760).

Porter is currently averaging 5.1 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game for the Mocs. The Lebanon, Tenn., native serves as one of the two captains for Coach Poppie’s 2023-24 squad.

The Mocs return to action this coming Saturday in a battle of the top two teams in the Southern Conference with UTC set to host ETSU. The game is scheduled to tip at 2 p.m. in the Roundhouse.

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On the latest episode of Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank, Mocs wrestling head coach Kyle Ruschell joins host Chris Goforth to recap the 2024 Southern Scuffle hosted by UTC.

The Chattanooga Mocs had its best finish in the recently completed Southern Scuffle since 2012. It was an impressive performance.

Four medalists, also the most since 2012, took the podium:

- 3rd place: Isaiah Powe (141)

- 4th place: Blake Boarman (133) & Noah Castillo (149)

- 7th place: Austin Paradice (157)

That led to the third top 10 ending coming in 8th. That also dates back to 2012.

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On the latest episode of Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank, host Chris Goforth welcomes Anastasia Zhukova, former member of the Mocs women’s tennis program and a member of the newest class of the UTC Athletics Hall of Fame.

Zhukova was a two-time Southern Conference Player of the Year in her two seasons in the program. She posted a 23-1 dual match singles record at No. 1 in 2006 and a 24-2 dual match singles record at No. 1 in 2007 for a .940 career winning percentage (47-3). She was an All-SoCon singles and doubles honoree both years and was an ITA Scholar-Athlete with a 3.9 GPA. Her No. 23 Division I ranking is the highest in UTC history and she was also No. 47 in the country in doubles. Zhukova was named to the SoCon All-Century team announced in 2021.

Tune in to hear about her time at UTC and what she is doing today.

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On the latest episode of Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank, host Chris Goforth continues his talks with the newest members of the UTC Athletics Hall of Fame. This week’s guest is current Mocs softball head coach Frank Reed.

Reed, in his 23rd year at UTC, was inducted into the 2023 Class alongside former student-athlete Michelle Fuzzard LaCourse. The six-time SoCon Coach of the Year has more than 700 wins at UTC and is on pace to top the 1200 career mark this spring. He has guided the Mocs to eight SoCon regular season titles and 10 SoCon Tournament crowns, the most of any school in the league. UTC has made 10 NCAA Tournament appearances. He has coached three SoCon Players of the Year, six SoCon Pitchers of the Year, four SoCon Freshmen of the Year and dozes of all-conference student-athletes.

The pair also discuss the 2024 Chattanooga softball season that includes 15 home games as well as two annual tournaments.

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On this episode of Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank, host Chris Goforth meets with football head coach Rusty Wright to recap an exciting season.

The Chattanooga Mocs completed the 2023 football season last weekend reaching the second round of the FCS Playoffs for the fourth time in school history. It was quite the campaign.

The Mocs won eight games for the 13th time and six in the SoCon for the fifth occasion. It was definitely a tribute to the character in the locker room.

The Mocs battled injury and 10 consecutive weeks of games before a rest to continue building the program on a solid foundation.

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On this episode of Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank, host Chris Goforth talks with the first of our UTC Athletics Hall of Fame inductees, Michelle Fuzzard LaCourse (2008-12).

She earned multiple accolades in her five years with Chattanooga. She was named the 2008 SoCon Freshman of the Year and Player of the Year in 2011. She was named to the league’s All-Conference First Team three times and is the first player in SoCon history to earn First Team (1B) and Second Team (P) honors in the same season (2009).

She, along with softball head coach Frank Reed, was honored on October 6. The UTC Athletics Hall of Fame was established to formally recognize outstanding contributions to the heritage and tradition of the University's intercollegiate athletics program. A total of 240 individuals have been inducted into the UTC Athletics Hall of Fame during special ceremonies held each year. 

Follow each episode of Mocs on the Mic on GoMocs.com, Spotify or Apple Podcasts as we discuss all things Chattanooga Mocs! Click to subscribe to get notified when each episode drops.

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On the latest episode of Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank, host Chris Goforth catches up with former Mocs football player and wrestler Torrez Finney.

Goforth and Finney, also known as “The Punisher”, discuss his fight in Dana White’s Contender Series in Las Vegas on October 10 and his future in MMA. Finney is 7-0-0 and got a submission against previously undefeated Yuri Panferov.

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On this episode of Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank, host Chris Goforth welcomes Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development Ryan Jones.

Jones directs the Mocs Club, the philanthropic arm of the athletics department. On “Mocs Give Day” a record $1,103,861 was raised in cash and commitments from 711 donors. Jones and Goforth discuss where that money is used and future projects.

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On the latest episode of Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank, host Chris Goforth and cross country head coach Andy Meyer preview the Southern Conference Championships.

The Mocs are on the road to Kernersville, N.C., for the Friday morning championship meet. The women, led by Lesley Boyd, run the 5-kilometer course at 10:00 a.m. and the men’s 8K will start at 10:45 a.m.

Boyd is a two-time SoCon Runner of the Week this season and set a personal best time of 16:38.3 at the Mocs home meet two weeks ago. The men are led by junior Aaron Isbell and freshman Jack Martin. Martin claimed his first victory at the UTC Home Meet at Camp Jordan earlier this season.

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On the latest episode of Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank, host Chris Goforth moves into the next season with a look at wrestling. Head coach Kyle Ruschell previews the Mocs upcoming season and the Blue and Gold match this Saturday at First Horizon Pavilion.

The Chattanooga Mocs wrestling program is headed back to one of its favorite haunts. The grapplers are back at Finley Stadium Saturday for the annual Blue-Gold match.

There are 11 bouts on tap during pregame tailgating in the pavilion. It starts at 10 a.m.

The season starts November 4 on the road. The first home match is December 16 against Little Rock and Queens at Maclellan Gym. Tickets are on sale now at GoMocs.com.

Follow each episode of Mocs on the Mic on GoMocs.com, Spotify or Apple Podcasts as we discuss all things Chattanooga Mocs! Click to subscribe to get notified when each episode drops.

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On the latest episode of Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank, host Chris Goforth checks in with soccer head coach Gavin McKinney and Director of Volleyball Julie Torbett on the progress of their seasons.

Coach Torbet earned her 500th career head coaching victory last week against Furman. The Mocs are 15-6 on the year and starting Southern Conference play at 3-3. The Mocs got off to their best start in program history and look to carry that momentum into the final 10 matches of the season.

Women’s soccer put together a program-best six game win streak and went 6-2 in non-conference action. The Mocs are 3-2-1 in Southern Conference play and have three matches left to the season.

Volleyball will be on the road to Samford Friday and Mercer Sunday before returning to Maclellan Gym on October 26 to host UNCG.

Soccer closes out the home slate of the regular season Thursday night at Finley Stadium against Wofford. The final two matches of the year will be on the road at UNCG and Samford.

Follow each episode of Mocs on the Mic on GoMocs.com, Spotify or Apple Podcasts as we discuss all things Chattanooga Mocs! Click to subscribe to get notified when each episode drops.

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On the latest episode of Mocs on the Mic, men’s golf head coach and senior Sam Espinosa talk with host Chris Goforth on the team accomplishments so far and this year’s schedule.

The Mocs are off to a hot start. The guys captured wins at Marquette and Cincinnati to make it six in the 15 tournaments of the Blaine Woodruff era.

Samuel Espinosa claimed his first win as a Moc at Erin Hills, beating two top 50 players in the WORLD rankings and then was fourth just behind Paul Conroy in third at the Bearcat.

Follow each episode of Mocs on the Mic on GoMocs.com, Spotify or Apple Podcast as we discuss all things Chattanooga Mocs! Click to subscribe to get notifice when each episode drops.

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On this episode of Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank, host Chris Goforth gets an early look at the upcoming season for men’s and women’s basketball.

Women’s head coach Shawn Poppie, in his second season, previews the 2023-24 schedule that features a home contest against SEC foe Mississippi State and tournaments in Florida and North Carolina. The Mocs claimed the 2023 SoCon Tournament title, it’s 19th since joining the league and 16th NCAA Tournament appearance. UTC opens the season at home on November 6 against King University.

The women’s program is one of three at UTC celebrating 50 seasons of competition. Also celebrating the Golden Anniversary are volleyball and tennis.

Men’s head coach Dan Earl previews the upcoming 2023-24 schedule while highlighting this year's roster ahead of his second season at Chattanooga. The Mocs kick off the new campaign at home for just the second time since 2015-16 when they host Covenant College on November 6 at 7:00 p.m.

Follow each episode of Mocs on the Mic on GoMocs.com, Spotify or Apple Podcasts as we discuss all things Chattanooga Mocs! Click to subscribe to get notified when each episode drops.

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On the latest episode of Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank, host Chris Goforth catches up with Torrez Finney.

Finney, a former Chattanooga football player and wrestler, turned his focus towards mixed martial arts. He is headed to Las Vegas next month for a UFC event.

Tune in to hear Torrez relate his journey and his hopes for the future in MMA.

Follow each episode of Mocs on the Mic on GoMocs.com, Spotify or Apple Podcasts as we discuss all things Chattanooga Mocs. Click to subscribe to get notified when it drops!

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On this week’s episode of Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank, we find out what goes into planning and executing the Game Day experience for Mocs football.

Host Chris Goforth talks to Finley Stadium Executive Director Brian Wright and UTC Deputy Athletics Director for External Operations Andrew Horton about the responsibilities of each organization on game day.

The Mocs open the 2023 home slate this Saturday, September 9 against Kennesaw State. Tailgate in the First Horizon Pavilion and cheer on the football team in the Moc Walk. There is plenty to do before the game, lots to eat and drink at the game. The game kicks off at 6:00 p.m.

Follow each episode of Mocs on the Mic on GoMocs.com, Spotify or Apple Podcasts as we discuss all things Chattanooga Mocs. Click to subscribe and get notified when it drops!

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On the latest episode of Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank, host Chris Goforth and Chattanooga football head coach Rusty Wright preview the 2023 season.

Coach Wright has his squad prepped and putting the final touches on the trip to North Alabama. It starts with 10 straight weeks of games before the bye and then the regular season finale at Alabama.

Learn more about what's to come with T.O.'s most celebrated teammate Rusty Wright.

Follow each episode of Mocs on the Mic on GoMocs.com, Spotify or Apple Podcasts as we discuss all things Chattanooga Mocs. Click to subscribe and get notified when it drops!

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It’s Chattanooga football time on Mocs on the Mic presented by SmartBank. The season kicks off Sept. 2 at North Alabama. This episode features the architects of the offensive and defensive strategies for the coming season.

Host Chris Goforth is joined by the coordinators with Joe Pizzo representing the offense and Lorenzo Ward on the D side of things. Both are entering their fifth years in the Scenic City leading their respective groups.

Follow each episode of Mocs on the Mic on GoMocs.com, Spotify or Apple Podcasts as we discuss all things Chattanooga Mocs. Click to subscribe and get notified when it drops!

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