Tennessee Marching Band Honors Tony Vitello & National Champion Baseball Team
It’s football season in Tennessee, but the Volunteers are still celebrating their baseball team’s recent success.
In June, Tennessee Baseball secured its first national title in program history. To honor this achievement, the Tennessee Football season opener against Chattanooga on Saturday featured a special tribute during halftime.
The Pride of the Southland marching band took to the field, forming the shapes of a baseball and a diamond while playing. They then stepped it up a notch, creating a football-field-sized replica of pitcher Kirby Connell’s mustache and spelling out “Tony V” in recognition of head baseball coach Tony Vitello.
Vitello’s team set a program record with 60 wins during the 2024 season before capturing the Men’s College World Series title against Texas A&M.
The University rewarded Tony Vitello by making him the highest-paid coach in college baseball. Just last week, Vitello signed a five-year extension that keeps him in Knoxville through 2029, doubling his salary from $1.5 million to $3 million, with an additional $250,000 signing bonus.
“As an athletics department, we strive to lead the way in college sports, and Tony has built a baseball program that sets the standard across the sport,” said UT athletic director Danny White.
“The on-field success in the nation’s top conference is unparalleled, and the excitement he has brought to Vol Nation has been incredible to see.”
Vol Football was pretty incredible to witness on Saturday, too.
Tennessee knocked off Chattanooga, 69-3, at Neyland Stadium as much-hyped quarterback Nico Iamaleava stole the show. Iamaleava threw for 314 yards and three touchdowns before Tennessee pulled its starters for the second half. Now, the Vols prepare to take on No. 24 NC State next Saturday in Charlotte.
Morale is high on good ol’ Rocky Top.
