UT shutdown would be big problem for Vols
By Mike Griffith, News-Sentinel sportswriter
June 29, 2002
If the University of Tennessee shuts down for the second term of summer school, so might the football team's national title hopes.
"We need to have a second session of summer school for eligibility purposes,'' UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "There would be some concerns.''
UT's first session of summer school ended three days early on Friday as a result of the threat of a possible state government shutdown.
According to a staff e-mail sent by UT vice president and provost Loren Crabtree, the premature end to the first term of summer school was necessary because "the General Assembly's inability to pass a budget has put the university at risk of closing July 1.''
Fulmer said the absence of a second term of summer school would put the Vols at a tremendous competitive disadvantage.
According to NCAA guidelines, players must earn 24 hours of credit per year to retain academic eligibility, 18 of which must be earned in fall and spring terms.
Fulmer wouldn't specify which players would be at risk of losing their academic eligibility if classes do not resume as scheduled.
"I will not discuss the specific academics of my players,'' Fulmer said. "We'll cross that bridge if we come to it.''
An overwhelming majority of the team - approximately 95 percent - has remained on campus to participate in the Vols' voluntary offseason conditioning program.
"A lot of games and championships have been won as a result of our summer programs,'' Fulmer said. "It's a very important time for our football team.
"I'm very hopeful that this matter can be settled appropriately for the benefit of all of those involved in higher education,'' Fulmer said. "There are a lot of issues out there - it's not just the athletes. You also have the UT hospital and medical center involved.
"Hopefully, some reasonable men and women will settle this in our legislature. I do think it will be worked out.''
The Vols' football staff received a memo Thursday indicating that they should allow the incoming freshman players to report as scheduled this week. At least 17 of the 20 signees who have yet to enroll in school are expected to arrive on Tuesday and attend orientation on Wednesday.
Tennessee has been established as the early favorite to win the SEC Championship, and many magazines have them ranked in the nation's top 5 in their preseason polls.
By Mike Griffith, News-Sentinel sportswriter
June 29, 2002
If the University of Tennessee shuts down for the second term of summer school, so might the football team's national title hopes.
"We need to have a second session of summer school for eligibility purposes,'' UT coach Phillip Fulmer said. "There would be some concerns.''
UT's first session of summer school ended three days early on Friday as a result of the threat of a possible state government shutdown.
According to a staff e-mail sent by UT vice president and provost Loren Crabtree, the premature end to the first term of summer school was necessary because "the General Assembly's inability to pass a budget has put the university at risk of closing July 1.''
Fulmer said the absence of a second term of summer school would put the Vols at a tremendous competitive disadvantage.
According to NCAA guidelines, players must earn 24 hours of credit per year to retain academic eligibility, 18 of which must be earned in fall and spring terms.
Fulmer wouldn't specify which players would be at risk of losing their academic eligibility if classes do not resume as scheduled.
"I will not discuss the specific academics of my players,'' Fulmer said. "We'll cross that bridge if we come to it.''
An overwhelming majority of the team - approximately 95 percent - has remained on campus to participate in the Vols' voluntary offseason conditioning program.
"A lot of games and championships have been won as a result of our summer programs,'' Fulmer said. "It's a very important time for our football team.
"I'm very hopeful that this matter can be settled appropriately for the benefit of all of those involved in higher education,'' Fulmer said. "There are a lot of issues out there - it's not just the athletes. You also have the UT hospital and medical center involved.
"Hopefully, some reasonable men and women will settle this in our legislature. I do think it will be worked out.''
The Vols' football staff received a memo Thursday indicating that they should allow the incoming freshman players to report as scheduled this week. At least 17 of the 20 signees who have yet to enroll in school are expected to arrive on Tuesday and attend orientation on Wednesday.
Tennessee has been established as the early favorite to win the SEC Championship, and many magazines have them ranked in the nation's top 5 in their preseason polls.
