On Monday, Tennessee softball saw its season come to a close just one game away from playing in the 2026 Women’s College World Series national championship series. With the pair of losses to Texas, it not only ended the season but also the college career of star pitcher Karlyn Pickens.
In a program that has had incredible talent, Pickens shines as one of the greatest players to ever put on a UT softball uniform. Her head coach, Karen Weekly, touched on the impact the pitcher had after the season-ending loss.
“Karlyn will have a legacy forever at Tennessee, forever,” Weekly said. “Her name is synonymous with some of the greats who have come through Tennessee. All you have to say is Karlyn. Everybody knows what you’re talking about. Just like you say Peyton or Chamique or whatever, Candace, everybody knows who you’re talking about. The fact that Tennessee means so much to Karlyn and the Lady Vols softball program means so much to her is what really makes my heart happy.”
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Was Pickens’ career good enough to get her number retired, though? Currently, Tennessee has honored two players with this: Monica Abbott and Sarah Fekete Bailey.
Here’s a look at whether Pickens fits the criteria to join the group.
Criteria and Rules
The student-athlete must have demonstrated outstanding character, integrity, and commitment to the University of Tennessee during his/her athletic career.
There’s no reason to think Pickens wouldn’t fit this criteria. Her teammates and head coach, Karen Weekly, have spoken nothing but glowing about her. She also played her entire four-year career at Tennessee, despite opportunities to leave for potentially bigger NIL packages.
Any student-athlete under consideration must have graduated or have left the University in good academic standing, which would have made them eligible to return and compete.
Pickens was an academic All-American and graduated.
Former student-athletes are eligible for this honor five years after exhausting their eligibility. If they left school early without exhausting their eligibility, they are eligible eight years after leaving UT.
Pickens would be eligible for the honor in 2031.
Extenuating circumstances may be considered by the committee, and modifications of the policy may be considered under such circumstances by mutual agreement of the Faculty Athletics Representative and the Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics.
Three of the Five Following Must Also be Met
SEC Player of the Year
Pickens is a two-time SEC Pitcher of the Year, but never won SEC Player of the Year. However, no full-time pitcher has won the award since 2001.
National Award (Player of the Year, Sullivan, or similar honor)
Pickens does not own a national award that would fit this criteria.
First-Team All-American
Pickens is a three-time First-Team All-American.
Career record holder in a significant category (as determined by the committee) at the UT, SEC, or national level upon completion of career
Pickens holds the record for the fastest-ever pitch in softball at 79.4 miles per hour.
National championship during tenure
Pickens did not win a national championship.
Conclusion
Pickens certainly fits the initial list of criteria and rules to have her number retired, but the possession of three of five that also need to be met will be up for discussion. There’s no debate that Pickens does not meet the National Award or National Championship criteria. However, you could make a case for the other three.
While she wasn’t the SEC Player of the Year, she won the SEC Pitcher of the Year award twice. While pitchers are eligible to win player of the year, recent history has seen it just go to offensive players, while pitchers get honored with their separate award. Then, Pickens fits the First-Team All-American criteria not just once, but three times. Her record for the fastest pitch will then be up to the discretion of the committee on if it is a significant enough category to count.
So, is Pickens a shoo-in for her number to be the third to hang at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium? No. But she certainly has an argument, and it’s not at all out of the realm of possibility.
