Phillip Fulmer has wasted no time in trying to live up to his message of unity he preached during his introductory press conference as Tennessee’s athletics director on Friday. On Friday night and Saturday morning, he sent out letters to every UT letterman and every current UT student-athlete asking for patience, leadership, and unification not even 24 hours after accepting the job as Tennessee’s AD.
Fulmer sent out letters to every UT letterman asking for them to “help me unite our Tennessee Volunteers family” and promised “we will be champions again.”
Here’s a screenshot of the letter as shared by C. John Chavis on Twitter:
As a service letterman I got this just now. @CoachPhilFulmer sent it out to all Lettermen. pic.twitter.com/vojf2UwtPP
— C. John Chavis (@CJohnChavis) December 2, 2017
That wasn’t the only letter Fulmer sent out, however. He also penned a letter to every current student-athlete enrolled at Tennessee.
Our staff writer Will Boling used to be on Tennessee’s track team, and he relayed some of Fulmer’s letter to the student-athletes on Twitter:
Phil Fulmer sent an email to every student athlete tonight.
He writes, “Change is never easy, but if we all come together and support one another, we can show the world the Vols & Lady Vols are strong, unified and unshakable.”
— Will Boling (@will_boling) December 2, 2017
He also added that he’s planning to meet with every athlete in the coming weeks.
When I️ ran track at UT, Dave Hart never sent us anything like that.
— Will Boling (@will_boling) December 2, 2017
Here’s how Fulmer’s letter to student athletes ends.
This man embodies class in every way. pic.twitter.com/s4BZ0PiXWv
— Will Boling (@will_boling) December 2, 2017
For years, it’s been apparent to even those outside the program that things were in disarray behind the scenes in Tennessee’s administration. It never truly seemed like everyone in charge of making decisions at UT was on the same page. And that was all for various reasons throughout the years.
But Fulmer wants unity and leadership not only from Tennessee’s administration, but from the athletes, former athletes, and fans. And if his first 24 hours on the job is any indication, he’s steadfastly determined to make that happen.
