News broke on Monday that the Tennessee women’s athletics teams will be wearing a commemorative Lady Vols patch in 2016-17 and then will have the option to do so in the future as a sort of compromise amidst continuing debate surrounding that name, which was eliminated for all female teams except the basketball team in 2015.
Tennessee chancellor Jimmy Cheek and athletics director Dave Hart released complete statements on the decision on Tuesday via UTSports.com:
Cheek:
“We have worked diligently with members of our Knox County legislative delegation to reach a compromise that is in the best interest of all parties to continue to honor the Lady Vols.
All Tennessee women’s athletics teams will wear a commemorative patch on their uniform, honoring the legacy of the Lady Vols during the 2016–2017 season. The patch will include the Lady Vol logo. Women’s basketball will not wear the patch because they have maintained the name Lady Vols as a tribute to Coach Pat Summitt. After that season, each student-athlete will have the option of wearing the patch on her uniform.
We realize there have been differences of opinion with the choice to use the Power T for all of our women’s athletics teams, except for basketball. A new branding effort and a combined athletics department, however, will never erase history and tradition. We want to focus on being stronger financially, improving facilities, and training and supporting all of our student-athletes and their programs.
We are fully committed to providing all of our student-athletes with the best resources so they can be successful on and off the playing field. The move to the Power T has built great unity among the women and men who wear it in competition every day. Our resource allocation for all student-athletes is at an all-time high. Both men and women have access to our newest, state-of-the-art facilities.
Our leadership in the athletics department is strong; our student-athletes, coaches, and administrators are all moving in the same direction. Athletics Director Dave Hart and his staff have made significant strides in academics, finances, and facilities. In addition, the culture within the athletics department is the best it has ever been. We are proud to be One Tennessee.”
Hart:
“I have always said we are going to continue to find ways to honor the legacy of the Lady Vols as we move forward. We believe a commemorative patch worn by all of our female athletes, except women’s basketball players who will continue to use the Lady Vols logo, will be a great tribute to the tradition of the Lady Vols.”
