Alex Pidgeon — captain of Tennessee Rowing — joins this episode of the Everything Orange podcast. The Montreal native shares her journey from competitive swimming to rowing, starting on an erg at 16 before ever stepping into a boat — and how she went from resisting the sport to leading the Lady Vols through a historic third-place finish at the NCAA Championships. Now in her senior season, Alex reflects on her transition from Canada to the SEC, what it means to wear the Orange and White, and how ...
May 22, 2025•32 min•Season 2Ep. 31
Shunsuke Mitsui stands as one of the most distinguished players in Tennessee men’s tennis history, embodying resilience, consistency, and unwavering determination on Rocky Top. Born and raised in Shizuoka, Japan, Shunsuke took a leap of faith that brought him over 6,500 miles from home to Knoxville. Over four unforgettable years, he’s racked up over 100 wins in both singles and doubles, earned First Team All-SEC honors every season, and helped lead the Vols to national prominence. We dive into h...
May 08, 2025•51 min•Season 2Ep. 30
Dave Parrington — the most decorated diving coach in SEC history, a former Olympian, and the driving force behind Tennessee’s decades-long diving success — is officially retiring. After 35 years on Rocky Top, Dave is closing the chapter on a legendary coaching career that includes 9 NCAA champions, 47 SEC titles, 16 SEC Coach of the Year honors, and more than 300 divers mentored under his leadership. We look back on his incredible journey from Zimbabwe to the international stage, explore the leg...
May 01, 2025•43 min•Season 2Ep. 29
He’s an NCAA champion, an Olympic finalist, a world champion, a world-record holder, and the fastest swimmer in NCAA history. But for this week, Jordan Crooks is also our guest on the Everything Orange podcast! Holding every major sprinting record in Tennessee history and having already made a global name for himself, Jordan concluded his collegiate career this last winter as one of the most decorated swimmers to ever set foot on Rocky Top. We look at Jordan’s incredible four-year progression si...
Apr 24, 2025•45 min•Season 2Ep. 28
Sarah Schmitt — the Lady Vols' pole vault record-holder — joins us in this episode of the Everything Orange Podcast. The junior standout reflects on her journey from gymnastics to pole vault, her breakout 2023 season, and what it meant to break both the indoor (4.46m) and outdoor (4.38m) school records in the same year. With another SEC medal under her belt and a top-6 finish at NCAA Indoors, Sarah shares how she balances mental and physical toughness, the unique mindset it takes to clear big ba...
Apr 17, 2025•39 min•Season 2Ep. 27
Karlyn Pickens — the record-holder for the fastest softball pitch ever thrown — joins us in this episode of the Everything Orange Podcast. The Lady Vols star reflects on her historic 78.2 mph pitch, the support she’s received at Tennessee, and how her record has made an impact towards putting women's sports on the big stage. With the team now entering the home stretch of the regular season, Karlyn also breaks down Tennessee’s momentum-building wins over Oklahoma and Mississippi State, the team's...
Apr 10, 2025•30 min•Season 2Ep. 26
Fresh off his NCAA Tournament debut Chaz Lanier — new Tennessee record-holder for three-pointers made in a season — joins us in this episode of the Everything Orange Podcast. The Nashville native reflects on his record-setting performances in Tennessee’s wins over Wofford and UCLA and the team’s relentless mindset heading into the Sweet 16 against Kentucky. He shares insights on playing under Coach Rick Barnes, the team’s “It’s Not About Me” philosophy, and what it takes to keep pushing forward ...
Mar 27, 2025•23 min•Season 2Ep. 25
Lady Vol Tennis has surged into the top 10 of the national rankings, and the stellar play of Catherine Aulia has been big reason why. The junior from Australia joins the Everything Orange podcast, giving us a broad look at the success of Tennessee Women’s Tennis in 2025. Cat breaks down the schedule and gives us insight into the roster that’s been assembled by ninth-year head coach Alison Ojeda. The back half of SEC play and the NCAA postseason still looms in the Lady Vols’ upcoming schedule, bu...
Mar 20, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 24
It’s spring football time in Tennessee! Andre Turrentine joins the podcast this week to discuss spring ball, off-season work, and reflections on his previous seasons at Tennessee - highlighted by his diving endzone interception to keep Iowa from scoring in the 2024 Citrus Bowl. From the biggest offseason focuses to standout players in the DB room, we get insight into the team's progress in working with Coach Banks. Andre discusses his journey from Nashville to Knoxville, his pride in representin...
Mar 13, 2025•28 min•Season 2Ep. 23
Freshman McKenzie Siroky is an up-and-coming star for Lady Vols swimming — already etching her name amongst the top-10 times in program history for the 100 breast this season. But McKenzie’s stardom didn’t begin in the pool, but rather on the ice, where she was a hockey standout in her hometown of Livonia, Michigan. There she played varsity hockey on the boys high school team, eventually earning a scholarship opportunity at powerhouse Minnesota Duluth. In this episode of Everything Orange, McKen...
Feb 20, 2025•49 min•Season 2Ep. 22
Baseball season is upon us! With Opening Day in sight, Nate Snead joins the podcast to recap his first year on the Tennessee Baseball team and how he's gearing up to kick off the 2025 season. Nate offers a glimpse into this new roster for the Vols, this year's team chemistry, and his role on the team as they head into the new campaign. He also reflects on last year’s unforgettable National Championship run - highlighting his performance closing out Game Two of the CWS Championship Series....
Feb 13, 2025•41 min•Season 2Ep. 21
Under Karen Weekly's leadership, Tennessee Softball has become one of the nation's most consistent and successful programs. Karen's approach has not only empowered her athletes to thrive on the field, but her Lady Vols have also shone brightly through notable academic success and community involvement. Karen's journey to coaching was an unusual one, working as a lawyer and professor before stepping into the role of co-head coach alongside her husband and Hall-of-Famer Ralph Weekly. Over a 24-yea...
Feb 06, 2025•38 min•Season 2Ep. 20
He’s a living legend amongst Tennessee Basketball fans. Known for his toughness, his consistency and a knack for making the big play, Zakai Zeigler is our guest on the Everything Orange podcast. Zakai’s journey from unheralded prospect as a freshman to SEC Defensive Player of the Year as a junior is well-documented, but in our wide-ranging conversation, Zakai reveals how his odds-defying ascension finds its footing in an unwavering faith, valuable relationships, and good old fashioned Southern h...
Jan 30, 2025•43 min•Season 2Ep. 19
In the midst of her first season on Rocky Top, transfer senior Samara Spencer joins the podcast this week to talk all things Lady Vols Basketball. Samara discusses the new, uptempo era of the Lady Vols under head coach Kim Caldwell, wacky postgame locker room awards, and her red-hot, nine three-pointer performance vs. North Carolina Central. We wouldn't let Samara go without a round of team superlatives and she happily gave us the inside scoop on the team's best dancer, chef, trash talker and mo...
Jan 23, 2025•34 min•Season 2Ep. 18
We’re kicking of 2025 with a bang, welcoming the new Voice of the Vols to the Everything Orange podcast! After 26 legendary seasons as the play-by-play broadcaster for the Tennessee Titans, Mike Keith announced in early January that he was returning home to Rocky Top as the new voice of Tennessee Football and Tennessee Men’s Basketball. The Nashville native and UT alum will make his official return to the booth in fall 2025. In this episode, Mike shares the way the Big Orange passion of his yout...
Jan 16, 2025•40 min•Season 2Ep. 17
Tis the season! For the holidays, yes. But more importantly — the College Football Playoff! With the Vols set to open CFP play this weekend, we caught up with redshirt senior wideout Bru McCoy! In a conversation rich with Rocky Top reflections, Bru looks back on the 2024 regular season and previews the upcoming playoff tilt in Columbus. He also shares his Senior Day memories before reminiscing on his new Home Sweet Home in Knoxville, Tennessee. And just for good measure — we’ve baked in a little...
Dec 19, 2024•31 min•Season 2Ep. 16
Chancellor Donde Plowman joins us on the podcast this week! In five years at the helm of UTK, she has served as an advocate for student-athletes, supporting their pursuits on and off the field, and raising the standard across campus athletically and academically. Plowman discusses the recent surge of success for Tennessee Athletics and its impact on the entire Volunteer State, while also noting the personal mark that Tennessee student-athletes and coaches leave with its fans. Plowman's vision an...
Dec 12, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 15
Winter is fast approaching, so we’re getting everyone up to speed on what’s been happening with Tennessee’s fall sports! Football and volleyball are on the cusp of postseason appearances and soccer and cross country just wrapped successful 2024 campaigns. Speaking of cross country, we’ll also catch up with first-year head coach Justin Duncan, who guided the Lady Vols to a 26th-place finish at the NCAA Cross Country Championships. All this and more in our late-fall/early-winter update episode!...
Dec 05, 2024•20 min•Season 2Ep. 14
Tennessee Basketball’s all-time leading scorer Allan Houston joins the Everything Orange podcast this week! Houston’s unique legacy at Tennessee is twofold, having been coached in the orange and white by his trailblazing father, Wade Houston — who was the first Black head basketball coach in SEC history. In this episode, Allan reminisces on his father’s influence, his standout NBA career with the New York Knicks and his present-day work with the Allan Houston Legacy Foundation and The FISLL Proj...
Nov 21, 2024•38 min•Season 2Ep. 13
Vol Football safety Will Brooks is in the studio with us this week! The Birmingham, AL native gives insight on his experience going from a walk-on to the "Hardest White Boy on the Block." Brooks breaks down the Tennessee defense, his highlight-reel interceptions, and how he meets his goals.
Nov 14, 2024•27 min•Season 2Ep. 12
Joining the podcast this week: Senior Lady Vols Basketball forward Sara Puckett! She shares her excitement about the new era under Kim Caldwell for Lady Vols Basketball, gives us an insight into the team chemistry, and shares what her ideal off day looks like.
Nov 07, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 11
It’s that time of year — pumpkins, witches, candy corn … and the return of basketball season! Head men’s basketball coach Rick Barnes makes his Everything Orange debut in this spooktacular Halloween episode! Strap in for a frightfully fun conversation that winds from roster construction and coaching mentors to his penchant for pulling pranks and a quest for the perfect hot dog. Rick or Treat!
Oct 31, 2024•50 min•Season 2Ep. 10
Tennessee Football VFL and 2x Super bowl champion Trey Smith joins the Everything Orange podcast this week! He touches on his setbacks and triumphs as a Vol, playing for the Kansas City Chiefs, and his recent endeavor ⎯ starring in a Hallmark movie.
Oct 17, 2024•23 min•Season 2Ep. 9
It's only early October, but what a fall we've seen already on Rocky Top! While country music star Morgan Wallen and our top-10 football program have kept Neyland Stadium rocking, our soccer, volleyball and cross country squads have notched several outstanding performances and results. We'll dive in to everything that's stood out this far from our fall campaign in this abbreviated, roundup episode.
Oct 10, 2024•16 min•Season 2Ep. 8
It’s a 3-in-1 episode this week, starring an outstanding trio from Tennessee Volleyball! Transfer Nina Cajic talks about her record-setting performance against Western Michigan and volleyball’s special place in her family tree; Kiki Granberry reflects on her growth into a leadership role and her special talent for keeping her nails intact during games; and freshman Paityn Chapman shares her perspective on how she’s been able to hit the ground running during her rookie campaign.
Oct 03, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Joining the podcast this week: the FBS leader in rushing touchdowns! Junior running back Dylan Sampson — who has logged 10 rushing touchdowns through just four games this season — breaks down his outstanding performances so far, with a special emphasis on last week’s win at No. 15 Oklahoma and a four-touchdown showing on his birthday. The Baton Rouge, Louisiana, native also talks about his “why” and recalls last summer’s “trip of a lifetime” to Africa with the VOLeaders Academy....
Sep 26, 2024•39 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Coming up on this week’s episode is a fierce competitor who embodies the perfect blend of grit, heart, and humor. She’s the athlete you love to root for and the teammate everyone wants by their side. Mac Midgley shares her thoughts on the Lady Vols' top-five win, the identity of Tennessee soccer, and the unforgettable summer trip that kicked off her 2024 season!
Sep 19, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Tennessee sent 32 current and former student-athletes to the 2024 Paris Olympics. On this week’s episode we spotlight five of those athletes and their experience at the Games. Cierra Burdick (3x3 basketball, USA), Martin Espernberger (swimming, Austria), Javonya Valcourt (track, Bahamas), Brooklyn Douthwright (swimming, Canada), and Davonte Howell (track, Cayman Islands) reflect on what it was like to represent their countries on such a large stage, Olympic Ring tattoos, and of course, the viral...
Sep 12, 2024•36 min•Season 2Ep. 4
We’re still buzzing from the Olympic Games this summer and excited to welcome to the podcast Tennessee Director of Swimming & Diving Matt Kredich! Seventeen (17!) Vol and Lady Vol swimmers qualified for Paris 2024 — second-most of any school. That group represented Rocky Top well, claiming two Olympic medals, breaking five national records and advancing to seven event finals. Kredich talks about the Olympic culture at Tennessee, his travels to Paris as a coach and cheerleader, and a touching...
Sep 05, 2024•23 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Joining the podcast this week is one of the nation’s most feared on-ball defenders, whose tenacious style of play and sparkling off-court personality epitomizes everything we love about the Tennessee Basketball program. In this episode, Jahmai Mashack offers insight on the Vols’ reloaded roster, discusses his role as a veteran leader and finally addresses the allegations about his taste in music.
Aug 29, 2024•32 min•Season 2Ep. 2
