Latest news with #RockyTop
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
‘Don't hire him' Customers out thousands after contractor leaves jobs unfinished
ATHENS, Tenn. (WATE) — More complaints have been filed in Monroe County against a home improvement contractor from Meigs County. Records show Jerry Gardner was taken to court last year, lost the case, but never paid up. Two women in Monroe County found out about him because he places ads on and responds to social media sites for those looking for a contractor. Libby Robinson hired Gardner to install flooring one year ago. The agreed-upon cost was $8,000, although Robinson paid more. 'All total, I have paid $9,572. But the bad thing is I didn't have the three bedrooms and the two baths done. They were included in that $8,400,' said Robinson, who questions Gardner's workmanship. 'Oh, it just squeaks when you walk on it. You can hear it. He didn't put it down. You can hear the sounds. I think he just wedged it in there, beat it down, and left it.' NCAA responds to Zakai Zeigler lawsuit seeking to play another season on Rocky Top Gardner was supposed to install jacks under the home to add support, but visual evidence shows no jacks or any type of support were added. Robinson said Gardner told her the job would take two weeks. Katharyn Ahart hired Gardner two years ago. 'He was supposed to do a complete remodel, new floor, new cabinets,' said Ahart. Gardner quit before finishing the kitchen and never painted the walls inside her home. Hardwood flooring was laid, but the workmanship is questionable. 'He put in the floors and they're uneven. I can feel stuff underneath the floor. It kind of ripples,' said Ahart. Her initial contract was $23,000, but costs kept on adding up. 'I had to pay more money for tile. I had to pay more money for the flooring, my own countertop,' said Ahart. 'He ghosted me when I told him I was not going to pay him another dime until he was done.' She paid him a total of $39,500. 'What I'm left with [is] a house I could not live in,' said Ahart. Sweetwater Police: Bear spotted near North Main Steet Because Gardner left so many things undone in the home when he quit, Ahart recently moved back into her home after living with her mother for quite a while. 'Three months shy of two years… long time. A long time to pay my mortgage without being able to live in my own house,' said Ahart. Ahart sent a four-page demand letter to Gardner, but it went unanswered. Robinson became so frustrated with Gardner, she filed a civil lawsuit charging him with breach of contract and won the case. But Robinson hasn't collected a dime. We tried to reach Gardner at the number he gave to his customers, but received the following message: 'We're sorry the number you dialed has calling restrictions that prevent the completion of your call.' Athens couple out $9,000 after contractor never finishes job Amy Guillot and her husband were the first to tell us about Gardner early last month. 'We just wanted someone to come in to put some flooring in for us and have the job done,' said Johnny Guillot. 'We paid him everything upfront,' Amy Guillot added. The contract with the couple was signed in February. They paid Gardner more than $9,000 for work left undone. 'Don't hire him. Do not hire him,' said Ahart. $5 million in funding available for Tennessee senior centers: What to know The people we talked with had to hire a second contractor to complete the work that Gardner never finished. There is a law in Tennessee that says contractors may be charged with a felony when they start work, quit, don't respond to a demand letter, and if law enforcement believes there is enough evidence to press a theft charge. The people we've met with in Athens, Sweetwater, and Tellico Plains said they are considering filing theft charges. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
WWE SmackDown takeaways: Bianca Belair returns; Andrade, Naomi qualify for MITB
WWE SmackDown takeaways: Bianca Belair returns; Andrade, Naomi qualify for MITB WWE Friday Night SmackDown on May 30 took place at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., and featured a face-to-face with Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, John Cena and Logan Paul. This week's episode was packed with solid segments and very good matches. There were two more Money in the Bank qualifiers and Bianca Belair returned. JC Mateo pinned R-Truth, the entire tag team division had a melee including the Wyatt Sicks, and we heard Damian Priest call out Jacob Fatu. Check out the top takeaways from this episode: Bianca Belair gets hometown welcome, warns Naomi Kicking off this week's show was Knoxville's own Bianca Belair, who returned to WWE programming after a few weeks away to heal up, but is still sporting tape and a splint on her left hand. Belair took the mic and started the University of Tennessee's unofficial fight song, "Rocky Top," which went over well with the crowd. After Belair talked about her recovery and eventual return, Naomi joined her in the ring. Naomi begged for Belair's forgiveness for her betrayal. She said she even went to Belair's parents' house and let herself in when nobody was home. Belair said if she ever came around her family again that putting Jade through the roof of a car would pale in comparison to what she would do to her. Naomi dropped the forgiving vibe and then let through a sinister laugh as she said she'd hate for Bianca to join her mother in a wheelchair (Belair's mother was sitting front row in a wheelchair). Jade Cargill's music hit, and she quickly cleared Naomi from the ring. Cargill and Belair stared at each other, but their friendship remains unclear. This was an intense promo between Belair and Naomi. Bringing in the real-life family just adds a whole different layer to the story. It's unfortunate that Belair is injured, which has paused the story's progression, but this was a great way to keep it fresh. Naomi qualifies for Money in the Bank The first match of the show was a triple threat Money in the Bank qualifier. Two of the competitors were already near the ring, Naomi and Jade Cargill. The third woman was Nia Jax. The big spots in this match kept the crowd invested, most of which were from Jax. We saw a second-rope leg drop, a double cross body, and a second-rope Samoan drop from the former champ. Cargill had her displays of power throughout the match as well. But the finishing sequence was another big moment from Jax - a superplex powerbomb followed by an Annihilator to Cargill. Jax had them both stacked initially, but Naomi moved at the last moment, and secured a three count by rolling up Jax. A win here was big for Naomi, as her heel persona continues to look very strong. The match was solid and Jax's big moments looked legitimately damaging. But what does this mean for Cargill and Jax? Will they find their way into the MITB match? Je'Von Evans, Rey Fenix shine in tag match vs. Los Garza The bouncy one from NXT, Je'Von Evans made his SmackDown debut in a tag match alongside Rey Fenix against Berto and Angel, as Santos Escobar and Ethan Page watched from ringside. Seeing Evans and Fenix on the same team felt like something straight out of WWE 2K as they flew around the ring, inside and out, wowing the Tennessee audience. Unfortunately for the high-flying team, Page got involved, attacking Fenix and Evans from behind while the referee was distracted. Los Garza hit their double-team finisher to score the pin. Page, the NXT North American Champion, will put his title on the line at Worlds Collide next weekend against Evans, Fenix and Laredo Kid. This match was obviously a primer for that match, while also getting Los Garza a much needed win. Everyone looked great here, and it was a fun match that the crowd enjoyed. Zelina Vega disrespected, defends title against Alba Fyre Zelina Vega continues to be the most disrespected current titleholder. For her match against Alba Fyre, Vega's entrance wasn't televised. No, instead, it was "Sign of the Night" time, and then we return to the ring to see Vega holding her Women's United States Championship high while sitting on the ropes. Meanwhile, Fyre, along with Chelsea Green and Piper Niven got a full entrance. Maybe that was payback for Vega breaking Green's nose at Saturday Night's Main Event. Green covered her injury with a colorful, bedazzled facemask, which we first saw in a backstage segment earlier when she demanded Vega be stripped for causing the injury, which led to the match between Vega and Fyre. The match was moving along nicely, until Green decided to get involved when things spilled to the outside. Green removed the facemask, revealing her severely bruised face. She attempted to hit Vega with the mask as Niven held her up, but the champ ducked. A moment later, Vega hit a Code Red to pin Fyre. When was the last time a champion didn't get an entrance on television? I can't recall. WWE seems to treat Vega as if she's a jobber even while holding gold, and this was just the latest example. Yes, the accident at SNME sucked, but those things can happen to anyone at anytime. Her reign might not be long since Giulia has set her sights on belt, but until that happens, do right by Vega, WWE. Andrade qualifies for MITB The second MITB qualifier was between United States Champion Jacob Fatu, Carmelo Hayes and Andrade. Unsurprisingly, Fatu dominated early, and even took out The Miz after he tried to prevent him from attacking Hayes. But as the match wore on, Hayes and Andrade had their moments, which was fun to watch because they always work so well together. "This is awesome" chants poured in after Andrade hit his top-rope moonsault into a backflip on Fatu. "Holy sh*t" chants soon followed when Fatu attempted to send both opponents through the barrier, but they moved at the last moment. The match continued to cook until Solo Sikoa and JC Mateo arrived ringside to cause distractions. Fatu was putting the finishing touches on the match. He hit his signature top-rope moonsault, but before he could go for the pin, Sikoa hopped on the apron telling him to do it again. Mateo hopped up too, demanding a second. Jimmy Uso appeared to attack Mateo. Meanwhile, Andrade and Hayes went at it in a wild back-and-forth sequence. Andrade hit his finisher to get the three count. Fatu was rightfully ticked off. On paper, this was one of the best qualifiers for MITB, and it certainly delivered. Andrade winning was somewhat of a surprise. Between him and Hayes, two wrestlers who deserve much more, one of them had to eat the pin here. Fatu didn't need the MITB, but Andrade and Hayes can greatly benefit from the briefcase. We'll see what happens with Andrade advancing to the big match. Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso get their hands on John Cena, Logan Paul The final segment of the show featured Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, John Cena and Logan Paul. Rhodes entered first and delivered a short promo before welcoming Uso to the ring. Cena came in next. After Cena called Rhodes and Uso "John Cena wannabes," Paul joined the group in the ring. With Paul and Cena set to tag against Rhodes and Uso, the hard sell was on for the heel team. Cena put over Paul, while Paul focused on belittling the crowd. He then likened the matchup to two "nepo babies" against two self-made men. Uso challenged Cena and Paul to throw down right now instead of at MITB. Cena wanted to leave, Paul wanted to fight. Rhodes delivered a sharp one liner, and the brawl was on until the show concluded. Paul did well on the mic here, but there was no back and forth, which left more to be desired. In fact, Rhodes and Uso only delivered one line each after Paul was done talking. The melee was expected, but it did show that Rhodes and Uso know how to work together, foreshadowing what could happen at MITB. Considering Cena showed up, the segment gets points on that alone, but it could have been better with more banter on the mic.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vols star Zakai Zeigler sues NCAA, seeking to play 5th season on Rocky Top
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — Tennessee basketball star Zakai Zeigler is suing the NCAA in an effort to extend his career on Rocky Top for an additional season. The lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court seeks to allow Zeigler to play a fifth season at Tennessee while pursuing a graduate degree. It alleges that the NCAA's rule permitting only four season of competition with the five-year eligibility window constitutes an illegal restraint of trade in violation of state and federal antitrust law. UT basketball lands five-star commit Nate Ament Attorneys representing Zeigler have requested a preliminary injunction to allow Zeigler to suit up for the 2025-2026 season. Current NCAA rules allow athletes four years of competition in a five-year window beginning when the athletes first enrolls, allowing some athletes a redshirt year in which they can maintain eligibility without participating in competition. Zeigler's lawsuit contends that four-year competition limit denies him the ability to compete and earn name, image, and likeness compensation during his fifth year, while athletes who redshirt are eligible for NIL compensation for all five years of the eligibility window. Zakai Zeigler breaks SEC single-season assists record It marks the latest in spate of lawsuits against the NCAA following the Supreme Court's 2021 decision in NCAA v. Alston to strike down rules limiting education-related benefits for student athletes by ruling that NCAA bylaws unreasonably limited competition among schools for athletes. Zeigler's lawsuit makes a similar argument in their bid for the additional eligibility. By restricting Zeigler's participation in this market through an arbitrary limitation on player eligibility, the NCAA directly impacts his ability to compete in the commercial marketplace that has emerged in the wake of Alston. Zakai Zeigler lawsuit Zakai Zeigler's mother is the rock to his game The 23-year-old point guard from Long Island, New York has been one of Tennessee's best and most beloved athletes over his four seasons on Rocky Top. He is the first player in history to be named to the SEC All-Defensive Team four times and just the third player ever to win multiple SEC Defensive Player of the Year Awards. After his mother's home burned down in 2022, Vol fans raised over $350,000 of aid for his displaced family. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Ranking all 16 SEC fight songs from best to worst
Ranking all 16 SEC fight songs from best to worst There are so many college fight songs that are iconic. The best fight songs are instantly recognizable by most fans. Michigan and Notre Dame have classic examples. A good fight song is an ear worm, with victorious fans singing it all the way home and defeated fans hearing it ringing in their ears for days. Fight songs fire up and rally a team's fans, unifying the cheering effort around a common tune everyone knows and sings together. They are the best kind of sing-alongs. Typically a rousing short song played by the school's band, fans have been singing along to fight songs for over a century. Some have a long history. The first official fight song dates back to 1885 when T. J. Hurley wrong "For Boston" for Boston College. Some of the best fight songs in college football are in the SEC. There are also a few that are far from memorable. A lot of variables go into a good fight song. Like all music, some songs are more memorable than others. Another key to a great fight song? Historically, the team has have to had success in order for the majority of college football fans to have heard it in the first place. A team might have a great song, but if it has spend the past 50 years barely making it to a bowl game, then it doesn't really matter in the big picture. 1. Tennessee Volunteers: "Rocky Top" Technically, Rocky Top isn't Tennessee's official fight song. That distinction goes to a song called Down the Field. But let's face it, Rocky Top is the only fight song people outside of Tennessee remember. The best fight songs are instantly recognizable to everyone, not to just the home fans. It helps that Rocky Top is an established song. But it's the arrangement and the way the Tennessee band belts it out that makes it a classic. 2. Texas Longhorns: "Texas Fight" Texas Fight! Isn't it great? Longhorns fans are lucky to have such a great, recognizable fight song and an even better Alma Mater. The song has all the hallmarks of a good fight song. It's rousing, it has a great intro and it's easy to sing along to. Texas Fight has the best attribute a fight song can have, it is instantly identifiable. Three notes in and you know. It is one of those songs that rings in the ears of opposing fans for days. Texas Fight, Texas Fight, And it's goodbye to A& Fight, Texas Fight, And we'll put over one more Fight, Texas Fight, For it's Texas that we love 'em hell, Give 'em hell, Go Horns Go!"And it's good-bye to all the rest! Yea Orange! Yea White! Yea Longhorns! Fight! Fight! Fight!Texas Fight! Texas Fight, Yea Texas Fight! Texas Fight! Texas Fight, Yea Texas Fight! The Eyes of Texas are upon you, All the livelong Eyes of Texas are upon you, You cannot get Fight, Texas Fight, For it's Texas that we love 'em hell, Give 'em hell, Go Horns Go!" And it good-bye to all the rest! 3. Georgia Bulldogs: "Glory, Glory" Similar to Tennessee, Georgia has an official fight song and one that everyone associates the school. Glory is set to the tune of the Battle Hymn of the Republic, which obviously also helps its instant recognizability. But it is the standout arrangement, which dates back to 1915, that makes Glory special. Georgia fans will often replace a part of the song with disparaging words about their rivals. Glory, glory to old Georgia!Glory, glory to old Georgia!Glory, glory to old Georgia!G-E-O-R-G-I-AGlory, glory to old Georgia!Glory, glory to old Georgia!Glory, glory to old Georgia!G-E-O-R-G-I-A 4. Alabama Crimson Tide: "Yea Alabama" What a great intro. It's one of the longer intros of any fight song and it just builds the tension as Alabama fans get ready to explode. If you grew up outside the SEC, Yea, Alabama was one of those fight songs that you instantly recognized, but couldn't quite place. That changed after Nick Saban made the Crimson Tide must-see TV. The song dates back to 1926. A campus humor magazine ran a contest, starting in 1925, but nothing popped. After Alabama won the Rose Bowl, the editor of the school newspaper won the contest. Yea, Alabama! Drown 'em Tide!Every 'Bama man's behind you, Hit your teach the Bulldogs to behave,Send the Yellow Jackets to a watery if a man starts to weaken, That's a shame!For Bama's pluck and grit haveWrit her name in Crimson on, fight on, fight on men!Remember the Rose Bowl, we'll win roll on to victory, Hit your stride,You're Dixie's football pride,Crimson Tide, Roll Tide, Roll Tide!! 5. Oklahoma Sooners: "Boomer Sooner" Texas fans HATE this song. Most have had it ringing in their ears many times after leaving the Cotton Bowl. But that's also why it is a great fight song. Boomer Sooner is iconic, instantly recognizable and a great example of a top tier fight song. The lyrics date back to 1905 and refer to the refer to the Oklahoma Land Run 16 years earlier. The Oklahoma band also plays Oklahoma! from the musical Oklahoma! but it's Boomer Sooner that is played constantly. Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner Boomer Sooner, Boomer Sooner Boomer Sooner, OK U! Oklahoma, Oklahoma Oklahoma, Oklahoma Oklahoma, Oklahoma Oklahoma, OK U! I'm a Sooner born and Sooner bred and when I die, I'll be Sooner dead Rah Oklahoma, Rah Oklahoma Rah Oklahoma, OK U! 6. Florida Gators: "The Orange and Blue" Florida's fight song has a very traditional sound. There is one small riff right before the second verse that is very recognizable and is played on it own during games. Orange and Blue was more recognizable to the mass college football audience when the Gators were thriving under Steve Spurrier and Urban Meyer. The song dates back to 1916, but the current arrangement dates back to 1964. On, brave old Florida, just keep on marching on your way!On, brave old Florida, and we will cheer you on your play!And as you march along, we'll sing a victory song anew;With all your might, Go on and fight Gators, fight!For Dixie's rightly proud of you. So give a cheer for the Orange and BlueWaving Forever!Forever pride of Old Florida, May she droop sing a song for the flag today,Cheer for the team at play!On to the goal, We'll fight our way forFlor-i-da! 7. LSU Tigers: "Fight for LSU" Dating back to 1950, Fight for LSU has gained recognition in the past couple decades, thanks in large part to the Tigers rise as a college football power. Sporting a solid intro similar to Alabama, it really gets going near the end. Like Knights of old, Let's fight to holdThe glory of the Purple carry through, Let's die or doTo win the game for dear old trying for that high score;Come on and fight,We want some more, some on you Tigers, Fight! Fight! Fight!for dear old L-S-U. 8. Arkansas Razorbacks: "Arkansas Fight" Arkansas Fight has a great opening. The Arkansas band really plays it up too, especially in the Nolan Richardson basketball era. The rest is decent but not especially memorable. Hit that line! Hit that line! Keep on going!Move that ball right down the field!Give a cheer. Rah! Rah!Never fear. Rah! Rah!Arkansas will never yield!On your toes, Razorbacks, to the finish,Carry on with all your might!For it's A-A-A-R-K-A-N-S-A-S for Arkansas!Fight, fight, fight! 9. South Carolina Gamecocks: "Fighting Gamecocks Lead the Way" The South Carolina fight song sounds more like a Broadway show tune than a fight song. That's with good reason. Fighting Gamecocks Lead the Way was adapted from the musical number Step to the Rear from the Broadway show How Now, Dow Jones. It's still referred to by many as Step to the Rear and it is still pretty catchy. Hey! Let's give a cheer, Carolina is hereThe fighting Gamecocks lead the wayWho gives a care, If the going gets toughAnd when it is rough, That's when the 'Cocks get going Hail to our colors of Garnet and BlackIn Carolina pride have weSo, go Gamecocks go—fight!Drive for the goal—fight!USC will win today—go 'Cocks!So, let's give a cheer, Carolina is hereThe fighting Gamecocks all the way! 10. Texas A&M Aggies: "Aggie War Hymn" The Aggie War Hymn doesn't sound like a fight song. They like to be different at A&M and, as a fight song, the Aggie War Hymn is different. The intro is almost identical to the Mickey Mouse Club theme. The tune is also very long for a fight song. While other fight songs like Texas Fight and Yea Alabama mention school rivals in the lyrics, more than half of the Aggie War Hymn talks about trying to beat Texas. Which is admittedly rare. There are also so many non-sensical words. That said, it is recognizable and identifiable with Texas A&M. Most of the fight songs lower on this list can't say that. Hullabaloo, Caneck! Caneck!Hullabaloo, Caneck! Caneck!All hail to dear old Texas A&MRally around Maroon and WhiteGood luck to dear old Texas AggiesThey are the boys who show the real old fightThat good old Aggie spirit thrills usAnd makes us yell and yell and yellSo let's fight for dear old Texas A&MWe're going to beat you all toChig-gar-roo-gar-remChig-gar-roo-gar-remRough Tough! Real Stuff! Texas A&M!Good-bye to texas universitySo long to the orange and the whiteGood luck to dear old Texas AggiesThey are the boys that show the real old fight'The eyes of Texas are upon you . . .'That is the song they sing so well (Sounds like Hell!)So good-bye to texas universityWe're going to beat you all toChig-gar-roo-gar-remChig-gar-roo-gar-remRough Tough! Real Stuff! Texas A&M 11. Ole Miss Rebels: "Forward Rebels" Also known as Rebel March, Forward Rebels is your prototypical southern fight song. Which is probably why it sounds very average. Very few college football fans would be able to match this song with Mississippi. Forward Rebels, march to fame, Hit that line and win this game, We know that you'll fight it through, For your colors Red and Blue -- Fight, Fight, Fight. Rebels you're the Southland's pride, Take that ball and hit your stride, Don't stop 'till the victory's won, For your Ole Miss. Fight, fight for your Ole Miss. War Eagle has a long intro, similar to Yea Alabama, but it has a false stop that is disconcerting. It feels like it ends after a few seconds. But then it goes on into a pretty ordinary fight song. War Eagle, fly down the fieldEver to conquer, never to yieldWar Eagle, fearless and trueFight on, you orange and blueGo! Go! Go!On to vict'ry, strike up the bandGive 'em hell, give 'em hellStand up and yell, Hey!War Eagle win for Auburn,Power of Dixie Land!z 13. Mississippi State Bulldogs: "Hail State" Hail State has been the Bulldogs fight song since 1939. It actually sounds like an AI wrote it. It's very generic. It is hard to think anyone outside of the state of Mississippi has ever heard it. 'Hail dear ol' State! Fight for that victory today. Hit that line and tote that ball, Cross the goal before you fall! And then we'll yell, yell, yell, yell! For dear ol' State we'll yell like H-E-L-L! Fight for Mis-sis-sip-pi State, Win that game today!' 14. Vanderbilt Commodores: "Dynamite" Debuted in 1938, Vandy's fight song has Dynamite has quite possibly the best name of any fight song in America. Unfortunately, the song itself isn't dynamite. It is pretty average and forgettable. Dynamite, DynamiteWhen Vandy starts to fightDown the field with blood to yieldIf need be save the shieldIf victory's won, when battle's doneThen Vandy's name will rise in fameBut, win or lose, the fates will chooseAnd Vandy's game will be the sameDynamite, DynamiteWhen Vandy starts to fight! (Fight!) 15. Kentucky Wildcats: "On, On, U of K" More identifiable to college basketball fans, the Kentucky fight song better is so generic it sounds more like the background music on a Warner Brothers Looney Tunes cartoon. Dating back to 1922, On, On, U of K is very ordinary. On, on U of K. We are right for the fight today!Hold that ball and hit that line. Every Wildcat star will fight, fight, fight for the Blue and White, as we roll to that goal, we'll kick, pass and run 'till the battle is won, and we'll bring home the victory. 16. Missouri Tigers: "Every True Son" Sometimes it works when a fight song borrows a tune, like Georgia's Glory. But Mizzou's Every True Son set to the tune of It's a Long Way to Tipperary is odd and feels really out of place. It is more reminiscent of Lawrence of Arabia than college football.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Alcoa's Halle Bailey following mom's famed footsteps to Tennessee softball team
ALCOA, Tenn. (WATE) — Like most high school athletes, Alcoa softball star and University of Tennessee commit Halle Bailey is competitive. 'When deciding to go to Tennessee, it was like, 'Mom played there.' So I didn't want to go there at first,' Bailey explained. 'But then I was like, 'Why not try to be better than her?'' That's a tall task for Halle. Sarah Fekete Bailey was a four-year starter at Tennessee and is one of just two Lady Vol softball players to have her jersey retired. But don't be surprised if Halle joins mom in the outfield soon. Twins carry on Leach family legacy as third and fourth sisters to play softball at Tennessee 'She's actually a lot more talented than I was at her age,' said Sarah Fekete Bailey. 'She has a lot more athleticism than I ever thought about having.' That talent brought Halle to Hall of Fame Stadium in Oklahoma City at just 12 years old, the same place where her mom led the Lady Vols to their first ever College World Series appearance back in 2005. 'They have their headshot on the board,' said Sarah Bailey. 'It was just surreal that I was able to do that 10, 12 years before that. Just seeing her become her own identity in this sport is pretty cool.' So when it came to choosing a college, mom thought Halle would create her own identity at another school. 'I was for sure that she wasn't going to go to Tennessee because of me,' said Sarah Fekete Bailey. However, that wasn't the case. 'I did not want to go to Tennessee at all because everyone thought I was going to go to Tennessee, but then I got there and I was getting goosebumps all over my arms,' said Halle Bailey. 'I knew this is where I'm meant to be. I can go cheer for a team I've cheered for my whole life.' Tennessee offers official jerseys, game gear at 2025 athletics inventory sale 'Mama's glad,' smiled Sarah Bailey. 'My blood runs orange. I'll get to see a lot more games this way.' Before mom watches Halle from the stands, she's with her on the field as head coach of the Alcoa High School softball team. 'Before I started coaching her her freshman year, we actually went out to what I call a 'peace dinner' and it should have been a sign of what was to come when the fire alarms started to go off the whole meal,' joked Sarah Bailey. 'I was like, 'If this is what it's going to be like, it may be a bad sign.' But it's actually been a really cool experience.' 'She's got a double whammy because I'm also assistant principal at the high school, so it's not just on the softball field,' her mom joked. CONTINUING COVERAGE: University of Tennessee Athletics Right now, Halle is reminded of who her mom is in the hallways and on the diamond. But soon she will be reminded on Rocky Top. 'I don't think that she sees it as a competitive thing,' said Sarah Bailey. 'I just think she wants to do the best that she can.' However moms don't know everything. 'Just seeing her jersey on the wall just makes me want to be better than her,' smiled Halle Bailey. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
