If not anything else, UT students all have one thing in common: being Volunteer with rich traditions.

"I feel like traditions connect us to past generations and to those that are to come," Avery Howard said, junior in agriculture and the current traditions committee director for the Student Government Association.

"While it is important to hold on to traditions, we need to progress as time goes by and adapt when needed," he said.

Clarice Hawkins, junior in audiology said traditions make you a part of the UT culture.

Hawkins transferred in spring of 2009 as a sophomore from the University of Memphis.

"When I first got here I did everything in my power to reject the UT atmosphere," she said. "I wanted to reject it because I felt that I was true blue as tiger all the way through."

"When you get here you can't help but to be engulfed by the culture."

"UT's traditions connects the past with the future unlike any place I've seen before," she said. "No matter when you come here, how you come here, or where you come from, you still feel at home because everyone welcomes you."

Howard agreed with Hawkins and said Traditions do connect us to past generations and those that are to come. 

"While it is important to hold on to traditions, we need to progress as time goes by and adapt when needed."

Howard said his position in SGA this past year allowed him learn the UT's history.

"The duties of this position are to preserve UT's Traditions, while at the same time generating new ones," he said. "One tradition is Orange & White Week that was very successful. We had a great week of events and were able to even achieve Coach Derek Dooley coming to one of the events!"

Howard said "Rivals Week" was one of the new traditions started. This past year it was called "Dog-Eat-Dawg" because it was during the week of UT's game against the University of Georgia. UGA's mascot is the bulldog.

"I think the tradition of the game day atmosphere is a huge tradition that is widely known by even those who are not connected with the university," he said.

Shannandor McClain, sophomore in social work said she loves game days mainly because of the "Vol Walk."

"The Vol Walk lifts the student body's morale on game days," she said. "I think that's when school spirit is high and we're very dedicated fans."

Howard said having the traditions committee in SGA helps provides programs that students look forward to yearly. He said one tradition that students enjoy is Homecoming.

Amber Ingram, senior in biology said Homecoming week holds her favorite events every year.

"I think Homecoming is a time when everyone is on one accord," she said. "There is so much to do throughout the week and the football game is a great way to end it."

"There is a chance to meet alumni and you get to see how excited they are to be back here. That school spirit never leaves them," she said.

No matter how the traditions adapt and change over time, the UT Vol spirit is here to stay.