In the final leg of its 2024 journey, the Big Orange Caravan made its way to the Meadowview Convention Center in Kingsport, Tennessee, providing fans from across the Tri-Cities region the chance to meet some beloved figures from the Vols nation.
Following visits to Chattanooga, Memphis, and Nashville, head football coach Josh Heupel, along with men’s and women’s basketball head coaches Rick Barnes and Kim Caldwell, joined Athletic Director Danny White in gracing Tennessee fans with their presence.
The event offered attendees an array of attractions, including food, drinks, entertainment, and, most importantly, the opportunity to interact with the coaches, secure autographs, and capture memorable photos. It served as another platform to highlight the robust Vols community thriving across the entire state.
Commenting on the significance of the occasion, Athletic Director Danny White emphasized, “The bond with the university, and in our case, the statewide pride, holds great importance. It’s remarkable how deeply people care about this university, this orange. We are privileged to have such devoted fans, and we never take them for granted.”
While Rick Barnes and Josh Heupel were seasoned veterans in such events, it presented a valuable opportunity for newly appointed women’s basketball coach Kim Caldwell to experience firsthand the fervent support of Vols fans in East Tennessee.
“Amidst spending countless hours in the office, glued to your phone, focused on recruiting, getting out and witnessing the passion of the fans and understanding the purpose behind your efforts is truly refreshing. It’s a unique experience because not everyone gets to encounter this,” Caldwell expressed. “Having people request your autograph is a new experience for me. Witnessing the line of fans and realizing its significance is incredibly humbling.”
Wednesday saw an impressive turnout as Vols enthusiasts flocked in, forming a line that stretched well into the parking lot even before the doors opened at 5 p.m. While it’s a familiar sight for Heupel, he continues to deeply value the opportunity to witness such enthusiastic support.
“One of the most remarkable aspects of being here at Tennessee is our incredible fanbase,” Heupel remarked. “It’s unparalleled, the largest and most passionate in the entire country. This immense support is invaluable because it fuels our players with energy and has significantly contributed to our turnaround.”
Barnes has participated in the Caravan numerous times, yet he remains deeply moved by the opportunity to engage with Vols fans.
“When we engage with our supporters, we hope for appreciation and love for what we do. As a Tennessee Volunteer, you can’t help but feel blessed to have this role and to know that people genuinely care,” Barnes reflected. “There’s a core group of die-hard Volunteer fans who remain steadfast in their support. I’m continually impressed by our fan base because I genuinely believe they’re the finest in the nation.”
