Tennessee Athletic Director Danny White has had quite an eventful week. From the SEC Tournament championship in Hoover last weekend to the Knoxville Regional this weekend, White has been extremely busy working to build Tennessee Athletics.
In the last week, though, there were three separate events that became massive wins for the Tennessee Athletic Director and the Vols’ fanbase.
After Tennessee defeated Florida in the SEC Tournament championship game last Sunday, one Tennessee fan attempted to one-up Danny White with a trolling tweet on Twitter, but it didn’t go well.
“Yeah, a late tweet is better than no tweet. I guess. Did you even watch?” the fan wrote to White in a now-deleted tweet in reference to White’s tweet celebrating the Vols’ championship victory.
White responded on Twitter with a brilliant, subtle response that sent the Tennessee fanbase wild on Twitter.
No, didn’t see it. How’d it go? https://t.co/uT0R4FQoFc pic.twitter.com/VfSKkH3ThA
— Danny White (@AD_DannyWhite) May 30, 2022
See Also from RTI: LOOK – Tennessee Releases Lindsey Nelson Stadium Redesign Images
“Hey AD, thank you so much for giving your all for Tennessee,” one Twitter user responded. “We appreciate and love you!!!”
“Ahhh savage!!!! Lol. You made em delete it,” VFL Ramon Foster commented. “Go Vols”
White’s picture on Twitter prompted 128 responses from the Tennessee fanbase, almost unanimously praising the Tennessee Athletic Director. But even with all that positivity, it doesn’t compare to the reaction to White’s next announcement a few days later.
On Thursday afternoon, Danny White teased a new render of the Neyland Stadium renovation, specifically showing off dual V-O-L-S signs on both sides of the south jumbotron. Since the V-O-L-S letters were taken down before the 2000 season, Tennessee fans have been clamoring for their return atop Neyland Stadium. During his first football season last year, White gave the fans a taste of what was to come when he put the old letters out on display in front of Neyland Stadium on game days, allowing fans the opportunity to take photos with the larger-than-life letters.
However, as of White’s announcement, it looks as though the letters will definitely and officially be making a comeback.
White’s announcement regarding the dual V-O-L-S letters prompted 564 responses in less than 24 hours as Vol fans could barely contain their excitement for the reveal.
— Danny White (@AD_DannyWhite) June 2, 2022
“That is just responsive leadership,” one Twitter user commented. “Giving folks what they want. Thanks Danny!”
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for putting our athletic teams in positions to be successful!” another Twitter user responded to White’s announcement. “You have far exceeded my expectations thus far into your tenure! #VolNation appreciates you taking our suggestions into consideration!”
Despite Tennessee fans’ hesitancy when White first accepted the job (see: text a buddy), it looks like a strong portion of the Tennessee fanbase is fully behind White and his efforts after more than a year in his role.
“I can’t believe I am saying this Danny you have exceeded my expectations,” one Twitter user commented.
One day after posting the V-O-L-S sign tease, to round out the announcements before the Knoxville Regional begins on Friday, White and the Tennessee Fund revealed the first looks at Tennessee’s Lindsey Nelson Stadium renovation project. As Tennessee’s baseball team has continued to gain national prominence in the last few seasons, fans have been pleading for more access and better facilities for Lindsey Nelson.
Now, according to the announcement on Friday, Tennessee has confirmed that they are looking to establish Lindsey Nelson Stadium as one of the premier stadiums in all of college baseball.
Need your input #VolNation! Let’s build the best baseball stadium / experience in the country! #GBO🍊 https://t.co/LCet0b2AiF
— Danny White (@AD_DannyWhite) June 3, 2022
Once again, fans were fired up about the news. The excitement didn’t come without suggestions, of course, but that is what Tennessee has been asking for since the announcement. Many of the exact specifications and design choices are not yet set in stone, which gives Tennessee the flexibility to adjust some plans regarding fan feedback.
Nevertheless, Tennessee fans were just excited to see the announcement with their own eyes.
“Sir, you are that dude,” one Twitter user responded. “Thank you for resurrecting VOLS.”
One user even suggested putting up giant V-O-L-S letters behind the baseball scoreboard, which is a funny way to tie in both of White’s announcements from the last two days.
There’s no question that Tennessee Director of Athletics Danny White has had a tremendous week when it comes to interactions with the Vols’ fanbase. From trolling on social media to announcing renovation plans that fans have been patiently waiting years to see, White’s week was full of victories.
Tennessee, AD Danny White, and the entire Tennessee fanbase will now be looking for a couple more wins on the diamond in the Knoxville Regional this weekend. Tennessee will take on Alabama State in the second game of the Knoxville Regional on Friday night at 6:00 p.m. ET.
