A patch for a year, but will it fix things?

In July of 2015, the University of Tennessee made a decision that would cause much controversy and become the headline of media buzz involving women’s athletics from then until the present day.

The decision to drop the nickname Lady Vols from all women’s athletics, with the exception of the women’s basketball program, was one that had become a topic of discussion for school officials beginning in November of 2014. It was stated that the reasoning behind this move was for a more unified program and also due to a licensing deal with Nike with the push to streamline and advertise the athletic brand at Tennessee.

On February 1 of this year, athletic director Dave Hart gave a press conference stating details involving a new compromise that was given in hopes to call it even while trying to fulfill the wishes of fans and also hold up a contract with Nike and continuing to pursue a “One Tennessee” mindset for his athletic program.

The new compromise mandates that starting in the fall of 2016, and through the whole next year, all players participating in any women’s athletics will be required to wear a commemorative patch with a Lady Vols logo on it and starting the following year wearing the patch will become optional from player to player. The only team this will not affect is the women’s basketball team because the logo has stayed with their team amidst this new idea.

This compromise has brought out some mixed emotions among well-known Tennessee sports insiders and also from former female athletes, and with that said many are seeing the deal in different ways.

“The patch will do nothing in terms of a compromise with those that are protesting the name change,” Knoxville News Sentinel and Tennessee Football beat writer Grant Ramey stated.

On the flip-side, some feel that this gives an even more heightened sense of pride and excitement for being on a women’s team at UT.

“I am pleased to see the compromise with the logo and patch. I don’t think it takes way any meaning behind the Lady Vols. Being a Lady Vol is being a part of a family. Just because your name changes when you get married you don’t forget and stop cherishing the memories you made with your parents. In a way it makes them even more special,” a former Tennessee athlete who requests to remain anonymous stated.

Many women have passed through the athletic program at the university and have helped to build the legacy that is now what the program is today. The Lady Vols name is an internationally known name and logo, with lots of credit given to former basketball coach Pat Summitt who lead the Lady Vols basketball team to many victories, helped build the name, and paved a way in women’s athletics.

All of Summitt’s work, and was it done for nothing? Yes, the basketball team is still donning the nickname but is not the only program to have great success and to deserve recognition.

Along with basketball, women’s softball and track have also made great strides in making headlines and the initial reaction from former participants was one of hurt.

“…I was very disappointed. Being a Lady Vol is more than just a name on across a jersey. Being a Lady Vol is a way of life,” a former player said.

The hopes that this compromise will fix things for unhappy fans and will also keep the sense of pride and legacy around the women’s program are high and in an interview with The Tennessean, UT chancellor Jimmy Cheek stated that the patch is “in the best interest of all parties.”