rocky top

Welcome back to the Everything Orange podcast! How have we hit our 25th episode already? Our guest today is football head coach Josh Heupel, who took over on Rocky Top in 2021, he has since led the Big Orange back to national prominence. Listen to learn more about his “family first” foundation, how he’s seen growth and development within the program the past three years, and what it’s meant being a part of an athletics department seeing across all its teams!

Welcome back to another episode of the Everything Orange podcast. Today, our guest is swimmer Camille Spink who is settling back onto Rocky Top after having an exceptional outing at her first swim and dive SEC Championships. Listen to learn more about why Rocky Top felt like home to her, how she’s progressed in just a couple months with the program, her thoughts on how SEC championships went for her and what is ahead of her with NCAA’s and the 2024 Paris Olympics on the horizon!

Our guest today is a legend, an icon and one of the most decorated female basketball athletes to ever put on a uniform, LVFL Candace Parker. While at Tennessee, she became the first woman to dunk in an NCAA tournament and brought home back to back national championship titles in 2007 and 2008. As the first pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft, she went on to have a successful professional career being named WNBA Rookie of the Year, WNBA Finals MVP, as well as winning two Gold Medals for Team USA and three WNBA championship titles – AND she’s not done playing yet! Off the court, she is a mother, a wife, a broadcaster, and an inspiring role model for young women ever… including me! 

In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to highlight an individual in Tennessee Athletics history who embodied what it means to be a Volunteer. Our guest today, former men’s basketball head coach Wade Houston, is a trailblazer, a visionary, and a force for change. His life story is a testament to the power of determination and the ability to overcome adversity. Throughout our conversation, we'll unravel the layers of his personal, athletic and professional journey, exploring the challenges faced, the triumphs achieved, and the lasting legacy he’s created.

Welcome back to another episode of the Everything Orange podcast. Today’s guest is graduate men’s tennis player Angel Diaz. On this episode, Angel shares what made him want to leave Ecuador to pursue a collegiate career in the states, the growth he’s seen both as an athlete and person while at Tennessee, and what he’s looking forward to in his final season on Rocky Top!

Welcome back to another episode of the Everything Orange podcast. Today’s guest is Tennessee’s third rowing head coach in program history, Kim Cupini. Listen to learn more about what stood out to her about joining the Tennessee Athletic staff, what it means for her to get the opportunity to represent the Lady Vol legacy, and what excites her about her first season leading the rowing program on Rocky Top! Plus stick around to hear her thoughts on the latest sports movie release: The Boys In The Boat.

Welcome back to another episode of the Everything Orange podcast. Today’s guest is graduate linebacker Keenan Pili. Listen to learn more about the Pili family football roots, his unique path to Tennessee, the growth he’s experienced since his 2023 season ending injury and ultimately what led him to return to Tennessee for his seventh (yes you read that correctly) year of college football!

Hey everyone! Welcome back to another episode of Everything Orange. Today’s guest is Women’s Tennis Head Coach and former Lady Vol Alison Ojeda. Listen to hear about her journey to Rocky Top as an athlete and coach, lessons learned after a momentous 2023 season, what it means to her to be a female head coach at the collegiate level and how her baby girl got the name “Summit”!

Happy (late) New Year everyone and welcome back to the first Everything Orange episode of 2024. On today’s podcast, we have graduate transfer guard Dalton Knecht, who made an immediate impact on Rocky Top from just about every spot on the court. In his first week as a Volunteer, he earned SEC Player of the Week honors and hit his 1,000 career points milestone. He averages 15 points per game and earned a career high 37 points against UNC earlier this season. Tune in to learn more about how he learned to love the game, his reason for transferring to Tennessee and how the fanbase that has embraced and celebrated him from the very beginning!  

On this week's episode of Everything Orange, Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White joins the podcast.  Boasting a literal lifetime of experience in the industry, White oversaw a period of unprecedented competitive, academic and service excellence at the University of Central Florida from 2015-21 and at Buffalo from 2012-15. From the moment he arrived on Rocky Top three years ago this upcoming January, a point of emphasis for White was the development of a comprehensive five-year strategic plan for Tennessee Athletics. From NCAA tournament runs to SEC Championships, professional draft picks to success in the classroom, Tennessee is America’s College Sports City. Listen to hear an update on our fall sports seasons, fundraising efforts, campus renovations and more!

On this week's episode of Everything Orange, freshman distance runner Dean Casey joins the podcast. A native from Ennis Ireland, Casey found his home away from home on Rocky Top and never looked back. During his freshman season, he earned multiple SEC accolades including being named SEC Freshman of Year – the first and only time a XC Volunteer has won the award since it was introduced in 2000. Listen to learn more about his path to becoming a Volunteer, what this past season meant to him and some common misconceptions about the Irish!

On this week's episode of Everything Orange, volleyball Head Coach Eve Rackham Watt joins the podcast. Following a historic regular season, Rackham Watt has helped lead the team to a 24-4 record thus far with road wins over Kentucky and Florida. Now heading into the NCAA tournament, the Lady Vols will be hosting the first and second rounds this weekend for the first time since 2011. Listen to hear more about what she’s learned throughout her first head coaching position on Rocky Top, how she juggles all the different hats she wears, and why this group was destined for a special season!

On this weeks episode of Everything Orange, redshirt senior forward Jaida Thomas joins the podcast. Listen to Jaida talk about her journey to Tennessee, what the past five years have meant to her, and all the big moments she’s experienced representing the Lady Vol logo. Plus she brings on a special guest with her that you’re not going to want to miss!

On this week’s episode of Everything Orange, VFL quarterback Sterling Henton aka DJ Sterl the Pearl joins the podcast. Learn more about Sterl’s playing days on the gridiron, how the opportunity to be Tennessee Athletics DJ came to be, and what it means to him to be such an integral part of the game day experience. Get ready to smile until your cheeks hurt!

On this week’s episode of Everything Orange, senior transfer guard Jewel Spear joins the podcast. Listen to learn more about her journey to Tennessee, why she makes an effort to support different athletic programs across campus, and what she is most looking forward to during her first season as a Lady Vol. Also, if you’re a fan of Rod Wave’s music, stick around to see if you know the lyrics to his songs better than Jewel herself.

Welcome to the 10th episode of the Everything Orange podcast! Joining us is men’s basketball shooting guard Santiago Vescovi, who decided to return to Rocky Top for his fifth and final year of eligibility. In this episode, the Montevideo native discusses his Uruguayan roots; his journey across the world to Knoxville, Tennessee; and some special memories and relationships from his past four years as a Volunteer. Also, if you’ve seen Santi carrying around a cup and thermos, have no fear! We’ve got all the answers on what Yerba Mate is all about and its cultural significance. 

On this week’s episode of Everything Orange, senior transfer long distance runner Ashley Jones joins the podcast. Leading the way for the Lady Vols with a 12th place finish at Pre-Nationals over the weekend, Ashley Jones has been a significant addition to the team this season. However, her athletic success didn’t just happen to her by accident. The adversity she has had to overcome to even be in the position that she is in today is truly incredible. We promise that after listening to this episode, you will walk away feeling inspired.

Welcome back to another episode of the Everything Orange podcast, where we catch up with graduate transfer defensive back Gabe Jeudy-Lally. Listen to hear more about Jeudy-Lally’s experience growing up in Texas high school football culture, his journey to Tennessee, and what it means to represent the Power T. Prior to his arrival at UT, he earned his undergraduate degree in three years, started on his MBA and is currently working on his masters – so he knows a thing or two about being a student-athlete. Also, stick around to learn a little bit of Russian and his Ukrainian roots!

Welcome back to another episode of the Everything Orange podcast, where we catch up with senior swimmer Mona McSharry. The Tokyo 2020 Olympian representing her home country of Ireland, found her way across the pond to Rocky Top because of one thing: Family. Listen to learn more about what life for Mona was like growing up in Sligo, Ireland, her biggest battle she’s had to face during her swimming career, and what it means to be competing in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Featuring a special guest: her best buddy, pal and four legged friend, Luna McSharry!

On this week’s episode of Everything Orange, redshirt freshman setter Caroline Kerr joins the podcast. In her debut season, Kerr is leading the SEC in assists per set and has received conference honors four straight weeks so far this season. Listen to learn more about how her hard work landed her at Tennessee, what it means to represent the Lady Vol logo, and the team’s identity this season.