KNOXVILLE — Tennessee football legend Doug Atkins will have his No. 91 jersey retired Saturday at Neyland Stadium prior to the Tennessee Volunteers’ final home football game of the season against the Vanderbilt Commodores.
The pre-game ceremony starts at approximately 12:05 p.m.
Atkins played defensive end on the UT team that won the 1951 national championship. He went on to a successful pro football career and is the only Tennessee alumnus to be named to both the college and NFL halls of fame.
“Doug is regarded as one of the finest defensive players in football history, and we’re very pleased to honor him in this way,” said UT senior associate vice chancellor Jeff Maples.
Jefferson Pilot sports will televise the UT-Vandy game, which kicks off at 12:30 p.m. Stadium gates open at 10:30 a.m.
Normal security measures will be in place for the game Saturday, Maples said.
Items prohibited inside Neyland Stadium include:
– alcoholic beverages, cans, bottles or coolers;
– radios without headphones;
– open umbrellas;
– video cameras;
– stadium seats with arms;
– large bags or parcels;
– backpacks;
– weapons of any kind.
Fans are allowed to bring the following items inside the stadium:
– cushions and stadium seats without arms;
– binoculars, small cameras, pagers, and cell phones;
– diaper bags that accompany infants.
Phillip Fulmer Way from Middle Drive to Tee Martin Drive, Peyton Manning Pass, Middle and Lower drives and Estabrook Drive will be closed 30 minutes before kickoff.
The traditional Vol Walk from Gibbs Hall to the stadium starts at 10:15 a.m., and the Pride of the Southland marching band will leave the Music Building for the stadium at 10:50 a.m.
The Volunteer Village commercial exhibition area will be open on the Humanities building lawn from 9 a.m. to noon.
The College of Arts and Sciences Faculty Pre-Game Showcase features geography professor John Rehder who will discuss his book Appalachian Folkways, which examines the geography, settlement patterns and folk culture of Appalachia. The presentation begins at 10:30 a.m. in the University Center Ballroom.
Saturday’s game also marks the last time that graduating seniors will play at home for the Vols. Those seniors will be individually recognized before kickoff.
On Saturday, Give The Gift of Sight, a non-profit charitable organization, will collect used eyeglasses for people in need around the world. Fans who wish to donate used prescription eyeglasses, sunglasses and reading glasses can deposit them in specially-marked collection bins outside Neyland Stadium.
For more information on traveling to Knoxville, visit the UT Men’s Athletics Web site at http://utsports.collegesports.com/travel/tenn-travel.html.
For a schedule of ongoing construction in the Knoxville area, visit the Tennessee Department of Transportation Web site at http://www.tdot.state.tn.us/smartfix/jwp/closures.asp.
For more information on the Give The Gift of Sight collection drive, visit the UT Athletics Web site at http://utsports.collegesports.com/genrel/111605aaa.html.
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Contact:
Jeff Maples (865-974-3061)
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