Sept. 12, 2006

VOTE NOW

The University of Tennessee mascot "Smokey" has been named to the fifth annual Capital One All-America Mascot Team. Smokey is one 12 lovable, hard-working, furry fanatics deemed the best of the beasts.

And the fuzz, fur and tails are flying as Smokey vies for the most coveted title in the land -- "Capital One National Mascot of the Year."

Starting today, fans can cast their votes online at www.capitalonebowl.com for their favorite All-America mascot. The winner will be announced during the Capital One Bowl on Jan. 1.

"This is a great honor for us," said Joy Postell, spirit coordinator for the University of Tennessee. "We hope our fans will log on Thursday and show their support for Smokey."

Fans will determine the winner. Online voting consists of 11 weekly head-to-head match-ups between the All-Americas. Then the six mascots with the best win-loss records face-off in online playoffs starting in November.

This year's fuzzy crew was chosen from Division I-A and I-AA athletics programs with college football teams. They made the squad after being ranked on mascot "musts" such as interaction with fans, originality and pedigree. The panel of judges included mascot guru and historian Dr. Roy Yarbrough, and representatives from ESPN and Capital One.

Over the past four years, Capital One has helped thrust the spotlight on these unsung champions of the gridiron. Smokey will be starring in a national advertising campaign, which this year features the mascots participating in .Fur Factor,. a series of gravity defying (and fictitious) competitions. In addition to the bragging rights, Smokey received $5,000 for its school's mascot program. The Mascot of the Year receives an additional $5,000 scholarship to help fund its school's mascot program.

UT TO PUT LIMITED NUMBER OF MEMPHIS FOOTBALL TICKETS ON SALE

A limited number of tickets for UT's game against Memphis on Sept. 30 are on sale to the public online at utsports.com, by phone at (800) 332-VOLS and at Thompson-Boling Arena. Tickets are $50 each. Individual game tickets on sale are those remaining from the unused student allotment.