NcDeuce
05-27-2004, 01:31 PM
Vols' Fulmer, Peterson say thank you to troops
Tennessee coaches express appreciation during Big Orange Caravan stop
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- When the Big Orange Caravan comes into a town, it's usually an exciting time for the people there getting a chance to meet and talk with the coaches from the University of Tennessee, but Wednesday's stop at Fort Campbell was a little bit different.
To be sure, head football coach Phil Fulmer was there, as was men's basketball coach Buzz Peterson, women's assistant coach Nikki Caldwell, Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling, as well as other University of Tennessee personnel.
But this year, they were asking as many questions to the soldiers as they were being asked themselves.
"I have a lot of questions to ask them," Peterson said. "What was it like in Iraq? What was the everyday living like? Things I want to know. It's pretty interesting and I'm looking forward to spending more time with the soldiers here (Wednesday)."
Peterson added that Wednesday's stop was extra special to him.
"I wanted to be on this stop," he said. "These guys are the real heroes to me. For us to come here and spend some time, it's just a small thanks for all that they have done for making our lives easier here back at home. This is a very special trip."
That sentiment was echoed by Fulmer, who added that he received a special picture from some Vols fans in Iraq during the U.S. invasion of Baghdad.
"The professionalism and how determined these men and women seem to be has really been an eye-opening experience," he said.
"Back when the troops were just starting to take control over there, we got e-mails from soldiers showing a large water tower that had been painted orange with a big white 'T' on it there in northern Iraq.
"It's a great ... message I think that, one, college athletics everywhere is important to our soldiers, and two, that Tennessee football is everywhere as well."
Fulmer added that a former Vol was among troops that took Baghdad.
"We had one of our own lead a platoon into Baghdad, Greg Johnson," he said. "He came back and had some incredible stories to tell our guys. Those were the same kind of conversations we've had here (Wednesday). And (the soldiers) say it very humbly. They are the true volunteers.
"We're the Tennessee Volunteers, he added. "And we come by our nickname with our tradition, but when you sit and talk about a war and defending a nation -- the world, really -- to have the men and women of our services doing what they are doing, that is truly volunteering."
But among the conversations with the troops, Fulmer did talk a little bit about the upcoming season. He mostly answered questions about who's going to start at quarterback, as well as the running game.
"C.J. Leak will be our quarterback starting off," Fulmer said. "Then we'll see if he can fight off the composition. Whoever it is, he's going to be new, and that makes for some challenges."
As for running the ball, the Vols have a number of choices to choose from, but how well they throw the ball will determine how well the running game goes.
"I thought Cedric Houston had a great spring," he said. "I thought he separated himself from the other guys. David Yancey certainly made it interesting for Jabari Davis and Gerald Riggs.
"I think we'll be better at running back, he added. "If we can throw the ball like I hope, we can and make people play honest. But we've not been able to make people play honest in a couple of years."
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040527/localsports/514041-224598.jpg
Staff Sgt. Scott Hoffarth, background, with the 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, video tapes as Kelli Maddox watches University of Tennessee football coach Phil Fulmer high-five her son Brock, 4, after autographing a football during the Big Orange Caravan stop at Fort Campbell Wednesday.
Tennessee coaches express appreciation during Big Orange Caravan stop
FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- When the Big Orange Caravan comes into a town, it's usually an exciting time for the people there getting a chance to meet and talk with the coaches from the University of Tennessee, but Wednesday's stop at Fort Campbell was a little bit different.
To be sure, head football coach Phil Fulmer was there, as was men's basketball coach Buzz Peterson, women's assistant coach Nikki Caldwell, Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling, as well as other University of Tennessee personnel.
But this year, they were asking as many questions to the soldiers as they were being asked themselves.
"I have a lot of questions to ask them," Peterson said. "What was it like in Iraq? What was the everyday living like? Things I want to know. It's pretty interesting and I'm looking forward to spending more time with the soldiers here (Wednesday)."
Peterson added that Wednesday's stop was extra special to him.
"I wanted to be on this stop," he said. "These guys are the real heroes to me. For us to come here and spend some time, it's just a small thanks for all that they have done for making our lives easier here back at home. This is a very special trip."
That sentiment was echoed by Fulmer, who added that he received a special picture from some Vols fans in Iraq during the U.S. invasion of Baghdad.
"The professionalism and how determined these men and women seem to be has really been an eye-opening experience," he said.
"Back when the troops were just starting to take control over there, we got e-mails from soldiers showing a large water tower that had been painted orange with a big white 'T' on it there in northern Iraq.
"It's a great ... message I think that, one, college athletics everywhere is important to our soldiers, and two, that Tennessee football is everywhere as well."
Fulmer added that a former Vol was among troops that took Baghdad.
"We had one of our own lead a platoon into Baghdad, Greg Johnson," he said. "He came back and had some incredible stories to tell our guys. Those were the same kind of conversations we've had here (Wednesday). And (the soldiers) say it very humbly. They are the true volunteers.
"We're the Tennessee Volunteers, he added. "And we come by our nickname with our tradition, but when you sit and talk about a war and defending a nation -- the world, really -- to have the men and women of our services doing what they are doing, that is truly volunteering."
But among the conversations with the troops, Fulmer did talk a little bit about the upcoming season. He mostly answered questions about who's going to start at quarterback, as well as the running game.
"C.J. Leak will be our quarterback starting off," Fulmer said. "Then we'll see if he can fight off the composition. Whoever it is, he's going to be new, and that makes for some challenges."
As for running the ball, the Vols have a number of choices to choose from, but how well they throw the ball will determine how well the running game goes.
"I thought Cedric Houston had a great spring," he said. "I thought he separated himself from the other guys. David Yancey certainly made it interesting for Jabari Davis and Gerald Riggs.
"I think we'll be better at running back, he added. "If we can throw the ball like I hope, we can and make people play honest. But we've not been able to make people play honest in a couple of years."
http://www.theleafchronicle.com/news/stories/20040527/localsports/514041-224598.jpg
Staff Sgt. Scott Hoffarth, background, with the 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, video tapes as Kelli Maddox watches University of Tennessee football coach Phil Fulmer high-five her son Brock, 4, after autographing a football during the Big Orange Caravan stop at Fort Campbell Wednesday.