Tennessee consolidates branding of all sports except for Lady Vols basketball
Retired head coach Pat Summitt’s legacy and stamp on women’s basketball at Tennessee is so strong that the Lady Volunteers nickname for the program will survive a near complete makeover of the school’s athletic branding. The university announced that it will call each of its teams the Volunteers and phase out Lady Volunteers for all women’s sports except basketball. The changes go into effect July 1, 2015, the same time the school is switching its apparel provider from Adidas to Nike.
The school announced the women’s basketball exemption in a release.
The women’s basketball program was excluded from this transition because of the accomplishments and legacy of the championship program built by Coach Pat Summitt and her former players. The Lady Volunteers nickname and brand is truly reflective of Coach Summitt and her legacy and will continue to be associated with the Tennessee women’s basketball team.
“One Tennessee has united all the athletic programs here at the University of Tennessee,” said head women’s basketball coach Holly Warlick. “The value of this bonding enriches the support we can offer to all student-athletes. We now have unlimited access to our tremendous facilities and programs that not only benefit our current athletes while also promoting our pursuit of excellence to future prospects.
The school cited the strength of the women’s basketball program and the Lady Vols logo.
“The Lady Vol logo, however, has long been the monogram of excellence and a tradition among our loyal basketball fans. This is a symbol that is recognized and linked with a superior standard of women’s basketball worldwide. In the 38 years of Coach Summitt’s storied career, she established a tradition unlike any other in women’s basketball, and she did so under the banner of the Lady Vol logo. It is with deep respect for Coach Summitt and this great tradition that we will continue to wear the Lady Vol logo with great pride.”
“I am very pleased that women’s basketball will retain the Lady Vols logo, it honors the legacy of the team and the greatest coach ever, Pat Summitt,” said Athletics Director Emeritus Joan Cronan.
