Memories

Travel Misadventures Don Pinkston’s additions to the bus-pushing story Our street footwear in those days was not the tennis shoes like today, so there was not easy footing, and the back exterior of the bus was wet, dirty, with that diesel/oil smell. Some of us had gloves but those who

The Bear I had a bear story too. My first year at UT was full of firsts. Not on the track but in the beauty of the Smoky Mountains. I loved to get to Gatlinburg or Cade's Cove at every opportunity. My knowledge of the Park even so many years later

Recruitment Stories I was discharged from the USMC in 1969 and went directly to the University of Tennessee where I tried out (walked on) the track team. It was a total and complete shock to my fragile psyche. I went from carrying bodies in combat to carrying a baton around

Recruitment Stories I came to Tennessee initially as a football player; ACL surgery on my left knee curtailed those efforts. Coach Rohe, however, was a name known to me, as it should be remembered that he was, in addition to his track duties, also the head football recruiter. The 1969

Coppley Vickers at the 1964 Florida Relays - By Tom Scott One of the most courageous performances I ever witnessed was that of Coppley Vickers on March 28, 1964, in the Florida Relays. This was Vick’s first opportunity to run for Tennessee in an outdoor meet after transferring from Furman.

STORIES ABOUT THE RAILROAD TRESTLE OVER LAKE LOUDON The only time I ever short cut a workout was one of our morning Cherokee Bluff runs. I got started late and was going to be late for something. I had heard about several who would cut the run short by walking

Memories of Knoxville Track Club Officials Charlie Durham, co-founder of Knoxville Track Club Chuck Rohe has been a special friend for over 50 years. He was one of the best recruiters in the USA in track and football and a great motivator and promoter. His work ethic was amazing. I

Recruitment Stories After being accepted at Furman University, Coach Rohe called me to tell me he was going to UT and asked me if I would like to go there instead. I said, “Yes,” thinking, “Does a wild bear sleep in the woods,” because, otherwise, I was going into the

Bob Barber 1963-67 ​I wish I could add more to the '66 Bear Story, but the fearless leader of that '66 XC team slept through most of the commotion.  Larry Kelly woke me up to tell me about it, so I did witness the broken screen door and the dent in the refrigerator after

​Most people do not know this story. I was a 27-year-old Air Force Captain instructing at the Officer Training School in San Antonio, TX. I had decided to leave the military in November 1967. My desire was to enroll in a master’s program and become a college track and cross country coach. In the