2008 Woodie Awards
Lady Mocs-Lady Vols game divides fans
Chloe Morrison
Issue date: 12/2/04 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
The Lady Mocs took on the Universty of Tennessee Lady Vols at McKenzie Arena Nov. 20 and the fans were vocal, ostentatious and divided between supporting their home town team and rooting for the favorite.
Basketball fans turned out in record breaking numbers, with 10,051 in attendance, making the game the largest turnout in Lady Moc history.
The crowd was speckled with UT orange, but UTC fans were not to be outdone when it came to team spirit.
Some UTC supporters wore yellow hula skirts to help negate the UT orange while other Mocs fans painted the words "UTC" on their chests.
But even some Chattanoogans were supporting Pat Head Summit's team.
Rebecca Henshall said she had lived in Chattanooga all her life, but she was supporting the Lady Vols.
Erik Trotter said he is a UT fan when it comes to football.
"I am a die-hard Vols fan," he said, adding that he was supporting the Lady Vols because he is originally from Knoxville.
Mocs fans attempted to get the crowd more motivated, making efforts to start the wave, but they were unsuccessful. UTC fans also "booed" the referees on various calls, showing spirit for the Mocs throughout the game.
Lady Vol fans were spotted sporting purses with the UTK logo and one fan wore a shirt that read, "Nobody can raise the roof like the Lady Vols."
Some fans in the crowd found it hard not to cheer for both sides, but a few UTC students made it clear they felt it was important to support their home team.
Even though Adam Kohntopp, a UTC sophomore, is originally from Knoxville, he said he supported the Lady Mocs.
"This is my school," he said. "[It is] important to have school pride."
Matt Crigger, a Brentwood, Tenn., sophomore, said even though he likes Vols football, he was cheering for the Lady Mocs.
"I like UTK football, but when it comes to basketball, I support UTC," he said.
Ultimately, the Vols were victorious, doubling the Mocs score with a 68 to 34 win, but UTC fans are not discouraged.
"I think it was a good game," Aaron Delaughter, a Ooltewah, Tenn., sophomore, said. "It is tough to overcome UT, but [the Mocs] showed a lot of heart."
Basketball fans turned out in record breaking numbers, with 10,051 in attendance, making the game the largest turnout in Lady Moc history.
The crowd was speckled with UT orange, but UTC fans were not to be outdone when it came to team spirit.
Some UTC supporters wore yellow hula skirts to help negate the UT orange while other Mocs fans painted the words "UTC" on their chests.
But even some Chattanoogans were supporting Pat Head Summit's team.
Rebecca Henshall said she had lived in Chattanooga all her life, but she was supporting the Lady Vols.
Erik Trotter said he is a UT fan when it comes to football.
"I am a die-hard Vols fan," he said, adding that he was supporting the Lady Vols because he is originally from Knoxville.
Mocs fans attempted to get the crowd more motivated, making efforts to start the wave, but they were unsuccessful. UTC fans also "booed" the referees on various calls, showing spirit for the Mocs throughout the game.
Lady Vol fans were spotted sporting purses with the UTK logo and one fan wore a shirt that read, "Nobody can raise the roof like the Lady Vols."
Some fans in the crowd found it hard not to cheer for both sides, but a few UTC students made it clear they felt it was important to support their home team.
Even though Adam Kohntopp, a UTC sophomore, is originally from Knoxville, he said he supported the Lady Mocs.
"This is my school," he said. "[It is] important to have school pride."
Matt Crigger, a Brentwood, Tenn., sophomore, said even though he likes Vols football, he was cheering for the Lady Mocs.
"I like UTK football, but when it comes to basketball, I support UTC," he said.
Ultimately, the Vols were victorious, doubling the Mocs score with a 68 to 34 win, but UTC fans are not discouraged.
"I think it was a good game," Aaron Delaughter, a Ooltewah, Tenn., sophomore, said. "It is tough to overcome UT, but [the Mocs] showed a lot of heart."
