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Amado the mother hen of VOLSCARS
Her volunteer work makes event for UT athletes a hit
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Melissa Amado has been a parent in training while ushering the VOLSCARS awards banquet from first-year curiosity to a second annual event on the University of Tennessee athletic calendar.
“It’s my baby,’’ said Amado, a former Lady Vols soccer player.
Amado definitely looked the part of a frazzled mother Monday night. She stayed a fifth year to work in the Thornton Center and continue working on the event. She devoted a lot of time and sacrificed a lot of sleep, doing everything from editing music to sewing costumes.
“People, they call me crazy now,’’ Amado said. “And they’re like, ‘What do you want? Just tell me what you want.’ I think everyone is starting to get frustrated.”
No matter, Amado the perfectionist has stuck to her vision for the event.
“There’s a certain look,’’ she said. “There’s a certain feel.”
It was on display at the Knoxville Convention Center, with both men’s and women’s athletes dressed for the occasion.
“I think everyone actually loves it,’’ Amado said. “We all walk around in our sweat pants all day.”
Vols wide receiver Josh Briscoe conceded that some of the guys might have needed some incentive to dig deeper in their closets.
“I think we sold them on the free food,’’ he said. “Any time there’s free food, people really dress up for it.”
Whatever the case, the turnout was strong and the participation was solid, everything from fashion struts to musical performances. Offensive lineman Vladimir Richard wore a sequined vest for his part in the musical show. Now that’s a real commitment.
The concept of the VOLSCARS was developed by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. The athletes have been quick studies on it being an enjoyable way to get together and honor their achievements.
“Going into last year, people thought it was going to be a formal, boring event,’’ said Briscoe, the incoming SAAC president. “After seeing the things that happened last year and the way it went, we figured this was another opportunity to socialize and have fun.”
Amado said last year served as an immediate turning point.
“People were very, very skeptical,’’ she said. “And then as soon as the event happened, people were talking about it for weeks. It was very gratifying.”
One of the big additions this year was a dance party that took place after the ceremony.
“For us to come together as group, it just shows how strong we are,’’ Briscoe said. “Even though we’re separate (athletic departments) we’re still one.”
Amado is preparing to hand off her baby. She hopes to return here someday and see that the VOLSCARS has grown up elegant and enjoyable, just as she envisioned.
“That would be gratifying,’’ she said, “that I’ve been able to leave my mark here.”
As for the awards, Vols sprinter Rubin Williams was the best male athlete and hoopster Candace Parker the top female.
Vols golf coach Jim Kelson was men’s coach of the year and basketball’s Pat Summitt was the top women’s coach.
© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Posted by CrankE on April 22, 2008 at 7:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And VOLSCARS means....???
Posted by BigOrangeJeff on April 22, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Since it's an awards show, it's a hybridization of Vols and Oscars.
Posted by byobbio on April 22, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have no idea what VOLSCARS is. IS it VOLS CARS? Or VOL SCARS? Who does it benefit? Where does the acronym come from? Man, who wrote this article? Did you guys leave off half of it?
Posted by BillVol on April 22, 2008 at 12:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
VOLSCARS is not an acronym. It is supposed to rhyme with "Oscars" -- as in the Academy Awards. I don't know why they capitalize every letter.
It's kind of a cheesy name for the event, but I think this is a great thing for our athletes. It is a time when they can dress up and have a good time. Hats off to Melissa Amado for coming up with this idea!
Posted by CrankE on April 22, 2008 at 12:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I thought it might be like NASCAR. Whatever.
Posted by smitbo7 on April 22, 2008 at 2 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The idea began with UK's student-athletes award event called the Catsbys. A play of words from the ESPN award show the Espys. Molly Justice tried to bring this event to life more than 5 years ago. It took a lot behind the scenes work, but Melissa finally got the ball rolling and two years later... another success story.
Posted by pdhuff on April 23, 2008 at 9:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Telling best male athlete was not a football Vol.
Berry comes to mind.
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