Lady Vols Patch To Be Added To Univ. Of Tennessee Sports Uniforms In Compromise

Tennessee state lawmakers have "agreed to withdraw a bill" forcing the Univ. of Tennessee to reinstate the "Lady Vols" nickname for its women's sports teams "in return for a commemorative Lady Vols patch on all women's sports uniforms other than women's basketball" for the '16-17 school year, according to Dustin Dopirak of the Knoxville NEWS SENTINEL. After '16-17, female athletes "will be allowed to have the patch on their uniforms at their discretion." State Sen. Becky Duncan Massey said, "It's not the perfect solution, but it is a solution and it preserves the heritage and the logo of the Lady Vols." Dopirak noted UT has "been under fire from Lady Vols fans and former athletes since announcing its decision to restrict the nickname and logo" in November '14. UT Vice Chancellor/Communications Margie Nichols said that the idea of a Lady Vols commemorative patch "was first floated in the summer." UT Chancellor Jimmy Cheek said that he and AD Dave Hart "discussed it extensively in recent days." Cheek added that there had "not yet been any substantial discussion on the design or size of the patch or how much it will cost." He added that he "believes it will be in place by August." Dopirak notes there will be "no uniform changes beyond the patches and the teams will be officially known as the Volunteers." State Rep. Roger Kane and Massey also "pointed out that by continuing to use the nickname for the women's basketball team, Tennessee will maintain the Lady Vols nickname and logo as intellectual property and continue to sell Lady Vols merchandise" (Knoxville NEWS SENTINEL, 2/2). Supporters said that the Lady Vols nickname is "important because it represents the tradition and pride cultivated by legendary women's basketball coach Pat Summitt and other successful Tennessee athletics teams, especially softball" (Nashville TENNESSEAN, 2/2).