A recent push from Tennessee lawmakers has led to a compromise with Tennessee’s administration and the use of the “Lady Vols” nickname.
The “Lady Vols” moniker was removed from all female athletics teams in July of 2015, with the exception of the basketball team, in a move that coincided with Nike becoming the official apparel provider of the University of Tennessee. Those teams were all brought under the singular Power T logo with the standard “Volunteers” nickname
Tennessee announced on Monday afternoon that all female teams will wear a Lady Vols patch on their uniforms in 2016-17. Female student-athletes will then have the option as to whether or not they want to wear the patch in subsequent seasons.
“We realize there have been differences of opinion with the choice to use the Power T for all of our women’s athletics teams, except for basketball,” Tennessee Chancellor Jimmy Cheek said in a press release sent out Monday afternoon. “A new branding effort and a combined athletics department, however, will never erase history and tradition. We want to focus on being stronger financially, improving facilities, and training and supporting all of our student-athletes and their programs.”
Cheek, and multiple Tennessee lawmakers, are expected to address the media as Monday afternoon progresses.
