April 17, 2003

2003 Coca-Cola Big Orange Caravan Schedule

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - Asheville, N.C., will be the first stop on the University of Tennessee's annual Coca-Cola Big Orange Caravan next week.

The 2003 Coca-Cola Big Orange Caravan will begin its 14-stop tour of the state of Tennessee and other locations around the southeast on Wednesday, April 23. The location of the event has been changed to Morris L. "Mac" McGough Arena at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with an autograph session and dinner at 6:30 p.m. before the program begins at 7 p.m.

The Asheville event will feature head basketball coach Buzz Peterson, football coach Phillip Fulmer, women's basketball coach Pat Summitt and Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling in addition to other coaches and athletic department staff. Contact UT Alumni Chapter President Althea Aycock (828-687-1523) or the VASF's Brian Carroll (865-974-1218) to reserve a spot. Tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth when reserved in advance and $10 at the door.

The University of Tennessee athletic department has several ties to western North Carolina. Peterson, who just completed his second season at UT, was a prep All-America basketball player at Asheville High School. Assistant basketball coach Chris Ferguson is a native of Hendersonville and has coached at Freedom High School, UNC Asheville and Appalachian State. Assistant football coach Dan Brooks is a native of Sparta and played and coached at Western Carolina University. Senior associate athletics director Mike Hamilton is a native of Brevard.

Following the stop in Asheville on Wednesday, the Coca-Cola Big Orange Caravan will continue to Kingsport, Tenn., on Thursday, April 24.