Backers of Lady Vols nickname rally outside trustees meeting
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – As Tennessee prepares to eliminate the Lady Vols nickname for all women’s sports other than basketball, fans rallied at a university board of trustees meeting Thursday to protest the decision.
About 60 fans chanted “Do the right thing” and “Save the Lady Vols” as trustees arrived. Some held pictures of former Tennessee women’s basketball coach Pat Summitt. Others carried signs with messages such as “We’re Not Going Away.”
Tennessee announced in November all its teams other than the women’s basketball squad would be called the Volunteers starting in 2015-16. The move takes effect Wednesday.
Rep. Roger Kane had sent a letter signed by 45 legislators asking trustees to discuss the matter, but trustees declined to put it on the agenda. Tennessee officials say they’re making the move to promote brand unity.
