I decided a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to do a piece on some of the most recognizable Vol fans. Then I said, They each deserve their own separate spotlight. But as i sat down and starting doing interviews with those involved, I realized this was way bigger than i had ever dreamed. So the first one will be broken down into at least three segments over the next few days and then I will move to the second spotlight leading up to the Cal kickoff.
A few years ago i came across a website that talked about a fan organization in Knox-Vegas. "For the fans, By the fans" it bragged. This was my first introduction to the Big Orange Army. that was back in 2004, and a lot has changed. I mean a LOT has changed. That same little fan group has now become a large corporate entity that will be the working model for groups like it all over the country and the world. That is haw far the Army stretches. two months ago as the Army began a huge membership drive, they had over five thousand registered members in thirty states and five different countries. Five countries. With celebrity members ranging from Coaches Fulmer and Pearl, Charlie Daniels, to Dolly Parton, Kid Rock to Bill Dance, people all over are growing to know the strength of the BOA. If you want to see for yourself, simply go to the nearest eastern Tennessee Wal-mart, because they are now stocking BOA apparel. From Knoxville to Nashville, Tuscaloosa to Tampa, where ever you see the Vols you will see the Battle helmets of the BOA. Let me introduce you to the group.
In 2002 a young man, under protocol, we will call him Jamison. General Jamison that is. The general was looking to get involved. Wanted to be more than just an average fan. There was a fan group in place. Known as the Vol Navy. But as the General told me, "If you can't afford a boat, you can't float." So that is where things were. He was not satisfied with that, but a visionary was beginning to take shape in the young General. He saw the growth potential of an organization that was fan based, fan motivated, and fan driven. But anytime you deal with the University of Tennessee athletics, you deal with very large numbers. Fans of UT sports are very passionate about their teams, traditions, and history. Something they would be willing to go to battle for. The more and more he looked at big picture, he saw what the answer was. If you need to give structure to large numbers of people, people that are willing to stand up for their convictions, and for the colors that run true in their heart, you have to look no farther than the United States Military to see the perfect example. Leadership, guidance, and structure are what strength is built upon. Under that premise, the Big Orange Army was born. But don't get me wrong, it was not all smooth sailing. Jamison was not the only person that saw the potential of the BOA. So did the administration of the University. So as soon as it began, the university began its effort to absorb the BOA into its own guidelines. But Jamison did not give up so easily. He knew if it was absorbed then it would not ever see its potential. If it was run by the powers that be, the fans would never have a say in its direction. They could never take ownership, or feel that they were truly a part of the heart of the movement. So he fought, for two years, and in a federal courtroom he was granted ownership of the BOA. And on September 30, 2005 General Jamison signed a license agreement with the University of Tennessee to give birth to what we know now as the Big Orange Army.
In the next installment I will go into the details of how the BOA grew from the adversity that tried to choke it down, to the Icon it has become.
