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UT sues Action Sports Media over Big Orange Army

By Darren Dunlap (Contact)
Originally published 01:11 p.m., February 18, 2008
Updated 12:18 a.m., February 19, 2008

The battle brewing between the University of Tennessee and Action Sports Media over use of university trademarks boiled over into federal court last week when UT filed suit against the Alcoa company.

The university accuses the company of using several of UT's "well-known" trademarks in connection with the sale of products or services, authorizing other parties to do the same and making "false and misleading statements" in the advertising and promotion of its "Big Orange Army," a business and fan club.

UT alleges several counts of trademark infringement and unfair competition under federal and state laws by Action Sports Media in the lawsuit, filed Feb. 12 in U.S. District Court in Knoxville.

"We were very disappointed that the university chose to file suit against the Big Orange Army instead of sitting down with us to resolve any differences," stated Gordon Whitener, president and chief executive officer of Action Sports Media, in a prepared statement.

UT is seeking an unspecified amount of damages, recovery of company profits, attorney fees and injunctive relief. They've also asked for a jury trial.

The university claims that the company has been using its trademarks and the Big Orange Army trademarks in connection with promotion of UT athletic teams since 2002. The suit names several defendants, including company officers, collectively doing business as "Big Orange Army."

The Big Orange Army's "Fort Neyland" initiative last year spurred the university to make the rift between the company and UT public, according to reports from October.

Mike Hamilton, UT's athletic director, sent a letter to fans in October telling them that UT didn't support the initiative and that the Big Orange Army fan club wasn't sanctioned or endorsed by UT. The university claimed the company and fan club were using its trademarks improperly to line up corporate sponsors, a role belonging by contract to a competitor of Action Sports Media.

The Big Orange Army is a fan-based organization that provides "support for UT athletics," according to Whitener. He stated that the Big Orange Army entered in a trademark agreement with UT in January 2006 for exclusive rights to company names such as "Big Orange Army" and "Little Orange Army" and nonexclusive rights to use all of the trademarks in UT's trademark portfolio administered by the Collegiate Licensing Co.

He stated they've used the trademarks on apparel and other merchandise and paid royalties to CLC, a portion of which are paid to UT. Whitener noted that CLC has approved dozens of uses of the trademarks for his company.

But Action Sports Media hasn't entered into a standard license agreement with CLC, a step necessary for granting an exclusive license, according to UT.

"Despite the fact that none of the defendants have entered into the university's standard license agreement and despite the fact that they have repeatedly failed to comply with the royalty and quality control terms of said license, defendants nevertheless have continued to make unlicensed and unauthorized use of" UT's trademarks and the Big Orange Army trademarks, the university alleged.

Whitener addressed the license in his prepared statement.

"The bottom line is that we have a difference of opinion with the university in regard to the scope of the license, and we have tried to sit down with the athletic department representatives since the SEC Championship in December to work out those differences," he stated.

Whitener said the university refused to meet with the company.

"It's their way of trying to leverage us into giving up some of our rights under the trademark license," Whitener said. "We intend to vigorously defend our position."

Darren Dunlap may be reached at 865-342-6334.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.

       59 Comments

Posted by THE_VOL on February 18, 2008 at 1:24 p.m. (Suggest removal)

GOOD! That Big Orange Army nonsense was pretty weak to begin with.

Posted by Chainsaw on February 18, 2008 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Saw this coming from the very first BOA advertisement.

Posted by nnease15 on February 18, 2008 at 1:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Big Orange Army sucks. That was a dumb idea to begin with. I saw those fools down in Tampa at the Outback Bowl vs. Penn St. driving a tank around. WTF???

Posted by superk on February 18, 2008 at 1:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm sure the CEO is very disappointed. I would be too if I were getting ready to have my ass sued. In addition I'm sure they are sweating over the possibility of losing their whole business.

Posted by pdhuff on February 18, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

As long as they don't try to put Ralphs out of business.

I guess they want to keep Big Orange for themselves.

Posted by HotlantaVol on February 18, 2008 at 1:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

UT is going to sue Parker-Brothers next for using a checkerboard on some of its games . . . like checkers.

Posted by alfrizzle097 on February 18, 2008 at 1:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Seems kind of nonsensical to sue something based around supporting your University's teams. Then again, I guess that is the problem. They weren't paying for the use of the slogans. They USED the university for personal gain.

Posted by redmanvol on February 18, 2008 at 2:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am glad they are being sued. They wanted to change the name of Neyland Stadium to Fort Neyland. What a joke.

Posted by BOASoldier on February 18, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

bwah ha ha ha ha ha ha bwah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Posted by agentorange on February 18, 2008 at 2:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

defending yourself in federal civil court ain't cheap.

Posted by ZacharyUTK on February 18, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good. BOA is a huge pyramid scheme and shouldn't be allowed to use the trademarks of the University for their own gain.



And they're flat-out annoying.

Posted by qwerty6969 on February 18, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It doesn't really matter if the BOA business idea is stupid or not. And it really doesn't even matter if the company was using UT logos or similiar marketing symbols.

What matters is what is in the contract between UT and the Big Orange Army. Does the Action Sports Media contract allow them to use the symbols in the manner they have been used? That is question number 1.

And if the contract doesn't allow for such usage, UT still has a tough hill to climb to win. UTAD does not have a very good track record with respect to tight contracts with outside vendors. It allows some vendors to ignore contract provisions, while attempting to hold others to the strict letter of "the law." There is clearly a system of contractural favoritism within the UTAD. The Action Sports Media guys are apparently on John Currie's or someone's naughty list. If you have a contract with the UTAD, you only have to abide by the contract if they (the AD) forces you to - even if the contract was as a result of an open bid process.

This will be interesting. Even if BOA/ASM is in violation of their agreement (a huge IF), UT is still at risk of having created a culture of per se allowable non-compliance with respect to vendor contracts. They can't have it one way for their buddies and another way for their enemies.

Posted by BOASoldier on February 18, 2008 at 2:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm Glad they're being sued how dare they call Neyland Stadium anything but Neyland Stadium next thing you know they'll be calling the area inside the 20yd line the "orange zone" oh mercy me... lol .... that's hillarious ... regardless of my screen name I could give a rats arse but seriously people ... the university bends how many of us over every time we walk through the gates and we're worried about someone else trying to make a buck. That's funny ... all I have to say is whaaa!!! When we start winning games with players instead of thugs and by more than a point scored at the end of a game to a sub par vandy team or we stop getting our arse handed to us by Florida and Bama I'll start worrying about things off the field. Heck with the way things have been going ... the University needs to open up a free market of UT merchandise so that we'll have some kind of support outside of people who post on here that have been known to ask people to sit down as to not block their view of the game or that will hold their tickets and not sell them to fans that will actually use them just to try to send a message... Have you seen an improvement in Neyland Stadium in a while? Have you seen an improvement in overall facilities period. You think recruits and players coming from highschool give a rats @&$ about tradition. These are kids that go to the school that "showed me the most attention" and "recruited me the hardest" not the school that has a great tradition. Put more money into the school instead of into Hamilton's pocket and then worry about the rest.

Posted by cryingstill on February 18, 2008 at 3:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"VENGANCE IS "MINE" SAITH THE LORD"

GLAD HE IS NOT THERE!

#1 FAN OF THE TEAM FROM TENNESSEE

Posted by XutGrad on February 18, 2008 at 3:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The B.O.A. is spotlighting the loyal fanbase on a national level.As the 1st & largest group to come together in college sports. If the team cant do it the Fans can!

Posted by DeerPark12 on February 18, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

The issue is not that the BOA uses UT trademarks (which they have a license to do), but HOW they are using the marks. They paid for the right to do certain things with the logos, but then began to sell sponsorships to businesses using the BOA logo with the power T. When these were used by businesses, it gave the appearance that they had singed a deal to sponsor UT, which was not the case.

This all came to a head when the BOA came out with the "Fort Neyland" campaign. Many fans, and members of Gen. Neyland's family felt that the concept of "Fort Neyand" was insensitive at best.

Citing the numerous complaints that they had received from fans and the Neyland family, the UTAD went to the BOA and asked them to discontinue the "Fort Neyland" ad campaign. They refused.

Then cam another issue. The BOA had not purchased the right to the name and likeness of Neyland Stadium, only the power T and Lady Vol T. By using the likeness of Neyland Stadium, the BOA was in violation of the agreement with UT.

Yet another issue was the use of the Power T on BOA merchandise. The BOA felt they had purcahsed the right to do that from UT. They had not. They never entered into an apparell licensing agreement with the CLC. The BOA made the argument that they did not have to because they were selling shirts with THEIR logo, not UT's. Problem is, their logo contains the Power T, which must be licensed seperately for the purpose of clothing sales. Once informed of this, the BOA basically tried to ignore the ruling and went on business as usual.

With the threats and sending of letters proving ineffective, UT was forced to file suit as a last resort to protect their trademarks.

Posted by BOASoldier on February 18, 2008 at 3:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I think it's great that the university has competition... I think any organization without competition becomes stale and stagnant so if it takes a bunch of crazy people with orange helmets and tanks to make the University step it's game up ... so be it. Twenty thousand dollars on tuition and atleast thirty more to come while completing a doctorate degree says that Universities need to learn how to budget and worry less about who they are going to sue... if anyone should be sued it should be the University that lets senior football players make it to upperclassmen level and become ineligible due to academics. Can you say slipped through the cracks or maybe it should be greased up and pushed through the gaping hole.

Posted by XutGrad on February 18, 2008 at 3:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"FORT NEYLAND" = "THE SWAMP" FANS BROUGHT TOGETHER TO OPPOSE THE OTHER TEAM.ALSO THE HIGHEST HONOR YOU CAN GIVE A REAL ARMY GENERAL. 108,000 OF US.LIKE STONE BLOCKS IN THE FORTRESS.IT'S 2008.BE HAPPY.THEY ARE FANS AS WELL. THEY DO MORE THAN JUST SHOW UP ON SATURDAY.

Posted by BillVol on February 18, 2008 at 3:45 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Intellectual property law is interesting. When you get down to it, Ray Mears may be the owner of the term "Big Orange." Although you may have to use it in interstate commerce for it to be legally yours. However, you do not need a trademark for it to be yours. That helps in a lawsuit. But I believe all you need is proof that you used it first.

I wonder sometimes what right a public university has to prevent a taxpaying citizen of the state in which that university is located from using a logo or any other intellectual property.

Anyhow, never liked that Big Orange Army stuff anyhow. I'm surprised they're still in business.

Posted by XutGrad on February 18, 2008 at 3:52 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"VOL NAVY" THE SAME AS "BIG ORANGE ARMY" OR VISE VERSA

LAND AND SEA ONLY IN TENNESSEE.

Posted by BOASoldier on February 18, 2008 at 3:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

STAY THE COURSE ALL THE WAY UP TO "FORT NEYLAND"!! GENERAL NEYLAND YOU WERE A GREAT MAN THUS THE REASON OUR FORT OF A STADIUM WAS NAMED AFTER YOU. ATTACK, ATTACK, ATTACK, ALWAYS ATTACK

Posted by BOASoldier on February 18, 2008 at 4 p.m. (Suggest removal)

BOAF .... Big Orage Air Force ... you heard it first here... next to come B.O.S.E.A.L. Big Orange Frogmen. I'll definitely check with the S.E.A.L.s before using that one though... they are some bad men. :)

Posted by XutGrad on February 18, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

WE THE FANS CAN MARCH TO VICTORY! WHAT HAS THE UTAD DONE FOR YOU?

Posted by BOASoldier on February 18, 2008 at 4:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How bout B.O.M (Big Orange Marines) or better yet and more fitting of some of the team members B.O.N.G. (Big Orange National Guard) or whatever your imagination can conjure up.

Posted by tigervol9802 on February 18, 2008 at 4:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)

If it's trademark infringement.........there's really not much to it.

That plus those idiots are annoying as crap and good riddance.

Posted by XutGrad on February 18, 2008 at 4:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ITS A NEW INTERACTIVE FAN ORGANIZATION. OTHER PRO MARKETS ARE INTRESTED IN THEIR PATENTED MODEL. NATIVE TENNESSEEANS ,I SAW IT IN 2002 GROW INTO WHAT WE SEE TODAY.HIDING OUT IN THE OPEN.DAMN GREAT IDEA!

Posted by Tappedout on February 18, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Bottom line.....

These guys have taken advantage of SOOO many people that I know personally that all I have to say is GOOD!! They wanted a get rich quick solution and didn't care how many people they had to hurt or take advantage to get there! The only person out of their entire group that was a good person was Kevin their co-creator and Jamison (Owner) saw to it to even screw him over!

Its called KARMA!! Have fun getting out of this one Jamison!

Posted by XutGrad on February 18, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ARMY IS DEFINED AS: A LARGE GROUP OF PEOPLE ORGANIZED FOR A SPECIFIC CAUSE.

Posted by mcbrim1998 on February 18, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Will they have to send back the profits from both T-shirts?

Posted by XutGrad on February 18, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

How can you sue your fans?

Posted by pdhuff on February 18, 2008 at 6:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

ZZZZZzzzzzzzz.

Posted by ncvol17 on February 18, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Good news, McCain promises to keep the BOA in Knoxville for 100 years.

Posted by XutGrad on February 18, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Its a control and power trip for the UTAD.

Posted by XutGrad on February 18, 2008 at 7:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)

FOUND B.O.A BLOG:
The Big Orange Army wants YOU!!!

I decided a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to do a piece on some of the most recognizable Vol fans. Then I said, They each deserve their own separate spotlight. But as i sat down and starting doing interviews with those involved, I realized this was way bigger than i had ever dreamed. So the first one will be broken down into at least three segments over the next few days and then I will move to the second spotlight leading up to the Cal kickoff.

A few years ago i came across a website that talked about a fan organization in Knox-Vegas. "For the fans, By the fans" it bragged. This was my first introduction to the Big Orange Army. that was back in 2004, and a lot has changed. I mean a LOT has changed. That same little fan group has now become a large corporate entity that will be the working model for groups like it all over the country and the world. That is haw far the Army stretches. two months ago as the Army began a huge membership drive, they had over five thousand registered members in thirty states and five different countries. Five countries. With celebrity members ranging from Coaches Fulmer and Pearl, Charlie Daniels, to Dolly Parton, Kid Rock to Bill Dance, people all over are growing to know the strength of the BOA. If you want to see for yourself, simply go to the nearest eastern Tennessee Wal-mart, because they are now stocking BOA apparel. From Knoxville to Nashville, Tuscaloosa to Tampa, where ever you see the Vols you will see the Battle helmets of the BOA. Let me introduce you to the group.

Posted by XutGrad on February 18, 2008 at 7:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

PART #2

In 2002 a young man, under protocol, we will call him Jamison. General Jamison that is. The general was looking to get involved. Wanted to be more than just an average fan. There was a fan group in place. Known as the Vol Navy. But as the General told me, "If you can't afford a boat, you can't float." So that is where things were. He was not satisfied with that, but a visionary was beginning to take shape in the young General. He saw the growth potential of an organization that was fan based, fan motivated, and fan driven. But anytime you deal with the University of Tennessee athletics, you deal with very large numbers. Fans of UT sports are very passionate about their teams, traditions, and history. Something they would be willing to go to battle for. The more and more he looked at big picture, he saw what the answer was. If you need to give structure to large numbers of people, people that are willing to stand up for their convictions, and for the colors that run true in their heart, you have to look no farther than the United States Military to see the perfect example. Leadership, guidance, and structure are what strength is built upon. Under that premise, the Big Orange Army was born. But don't get me wrong, it was not all smooth sailing. Jamison was not the only person that saw the potential of the BOA. So did the administration of the University. So as soon as it began, the university began its effort to absorb the BOA into its own guidelines. But Jamison did not give up so easily. He knew if it was absorbed then it would not ever see its potential. If it was run by the powers that be, the fans would never have a say in its direction. They could never take ownership, or feel that they were truly a part of the heart of the movement. So he fought, for two years, and in a federal courtroom he was granted ownership of the BOA. And on September 30, 2005 General Jamison signed a license agreement with the University of Tennessee to give birth to what we know now as the Big Orange Army.

In the next installment I will go into the details of how the BOA grew from the adversity that tried to choke it down, to the Icon it has become.

Posted by Jimmy at 5:23 PM

Posted by jcvet on February 18, 2008 at 8:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

So much for a so called free country. UT football is becoming very nauseating.

Posted by agentorange on February 18, 2008 at 8:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)

maybe hamilton can compromise and get "the army" to drive around drunk and high fb players so they don't get dui's and tickets for pot.

Posted by 02champs on February 19, 2008 at 5:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

who gives a rat's ass...?????...why is this in the sports page...????

Posted by smokeyfan on February 19, 2008 at 6:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If everyone only knew how David Jameson started this whole Big Orange Army crap and the people he stepped on to do it.And if Action Media is dumb enough to buy it, sue them to! Who wants to pay $25.99 to be a UT fan when you can be one for free. It is nothing but a make me rick quick scheme.I think the University is right for making the decision to clean up the trash and tanks!!! GO VOLS!!! p.S. HAAAAAA HAAAAA

Posted by pdhuff on February 19, 2008 at 6:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Some people get what they deserve. Free country (snicker).

Posted by nafslov on February 19, 2008 at 8:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

In addition to being weak ( Vol Army) , the Athletic Dept. and the Vol Network should look into representation from WATE and WVLT presenting themselves as the voice of the Vols and "the Vol network ". Are the local sports clowns Russo, Packer, and Nagi members of the Vol Network ? Or are they misrepresenting themselves? Bob Kesling ,John Ward and John Adams should consider lawsuits against the likes of Russo,Packer and Nagi . Do they have agreements with the university or the Vol Network ? Most local fans are confused by the influx of these amateurs ! Would like to hear a response from John Ward or Bob Kesling.Go Vols !

Posted by BillVol on February 19, 2008 at 10:30 a.m. (Suggest removal)

XutGrad, your writing could not be cheesier or corny if you tried. The BOA concept is stupid and annyoing. It was embarrassing to see those idiots on the Strip.

Posted by BOASoldier on February 19, 2008 at 11:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's so embarrassing to see idiots getting excited about UT football ... we are civilized here ... no ranting and raving ... why look what tropper did on the sidelines ... what with all the chest bumping and running through the vol walk getting pumped up... horrible I tell you simply horrible... we are snooty whoops I mean civilized individuals ... and we will give the other teams and the B.O.A. a good romping I say. Come along now buffy and bring tootoo our crumpets are getting stale.

Posted by cryingstill on February 20, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

IF ALL VOL FANS REALLY KNEW HOW THE B.O.A GOT STARTED, AND HOW THIS SO CALLED "GENERAL" GOT HIS HANDS ON IT, I BELIEVE EVERYONE POSTING A COMMENT WOULD STOP. DON'T EVER PORTRAY YOURSELF AS SOMEONE YOU COULD AND WOULD NOT EVER BE.. A GENERAL, THEMATICS OR NOT, THAT IS UNPATRIOTIC AND A DISGRACE TO THE TRUE MILITARY AND FAMILIES OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY, DEAR GENERAL JAMISON,LOL,
COULD YOU LEAD A BRIGADE INTO WAR AND BE VICTORIOUS??? OR WOULD YOU RUN AND HIDE LIKE A DICTATOR IN A HOLE IN THE GROUND...
ON YOUR OWN MILITARY RANKING SYSTEM YOU TALK ABOUT 25+ YEARS IN FAN DUTIES OR WHATEVER THE HECK IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE, YOU BECOME A GENERAL,LOL, YOU WERE NEVER A UT FAN, UNTIL YOU THOUGHT YOU COULD MAKE A BUCK OFF OF WHAT ME AND ALLOT OF TRUE ORANGE BLOODED VOL FANS HAVE BEEN OUR WHOLE LIFE..LETS SEE, YOU SHOULD STILL BE IN INFANTRY DIVISION IF NOT MISTAKING BY YOUR OWN STRUCTURED RANKING SYSTEM.. WELL FACTS ABOUT GENERAL JAMISON, NEVER WAS A VOL FAN, COULD ONLY FIND ONE PIC OF HIM SELF WITH A BIG ORANGE WHATEVER ON A ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PIC YOUR MOM HAD YOU WEAR FOR SCHOOL PICS 2 THE AGE OF 5...LOL.
STILL WANT MORE, I READ THE OCTOBER NEWS SENTINAL ARTICLE TRYING TO HAVE FANS SHOW COMPASSION FOR YOU, HILARIOUS, WHEN YOU ASK SOMEONE FOR MONEY TO BE A FAN YOU NEVER WHERE, SIMPLY AMAZING, LETS SEE..DO SOME MATH WITH ME PEOPLE, IF YOU HAVE BEEN IN FRONT OF AT LEAST 1MILLION PLUS FANS THROUGH 4YEARS AND ALL YOU HAVE ACCUMILATED WAS 4880MEMBERS( DEE DEE DEE'S) TO ACTUALLY PAY YOU TO CALL THEMSELVES A FAN,LOL.. YOU TOUCHED, .048 % OF THE MILLIONS OF FANS YOU'VE DROVE YOUR TANK IN FRONT OF MAKING A MESS OF THE CUMBERLAND STRIP ON GAMEDAYS, WELL IF I WERE A BUSINESS MAN WHICH IM NOT BUT I THINK THAT WOULD THROW UP RED FLAGS ALL OVER KNOWING THATS ALL I COULD GET TO JOIN YOUR SO CALLED ARMY MILITARY MINDED HORSECRAP IDEA, I'M NOW THANKFUL WE HAVE VERY SMART VOL FANS OUT THERE THAT SMELL DOO DOO BEFORE THEY STEP IN IT,LOL,
OH YEA BACK TO THE ARTICLE, YOU SAY YOU STARTED IT WITH $150 DOLLARS, YOU COULDNT GET INTO DOLLYWOOD HAVE A GOOD DAY WITH A FAMILY OF FOUR WITH THAT KIND OF BUDGET..DUDE ARE YOU SERIOUS??
AND I FOUND OUT IT TAKES $125.00 TO GET INCORPORATED THROUGH THIS GREAT STATE OF TN..
SO HOW YOU PULLED THAT OFF WITHOUT ANY... HELP IS BEYOND ME.ALSO LAST ONE, YOU SAID YOU GRADUATED FROM KARNS HIGH SCHOOL, WELL I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH, THATS MY JOB, AND THEY HAVE NO RECORDS OF YOU EVER GRAD. SO YOU MUST HAVE DROPPED OUT??? MIGHT HAVE A G.E.D.?? IDK THAT YET, BUT WILL NOT TAKE THAT AWAY FROM YOU..
BUT WHAT DOES ALL THIS MEAN??? THAT WE HAVE A FANBASE THAT TRULLY BELIEVES IN A GREAT UNIVERSITY AND ARE WILLING TO BE BY THEIR SIDE FROM THE GOOD THE BAD AND THE UGLY.
GO BIG ORANGE.. DONT WORRY I HEAR THERE IS GREAT THIMG COMING FROM THE UNIVERSITY FOR THE FANS...
NO HELMETS NOR TANKS NEEDED...
IRAQ'S NEEDING A FEW GOOD MEN...

Posted by XutGrad on February 20, 2008 at 1:03 p.m. (Suggest removal)

You dont pay tobe a fan. You pay tobe a member to get get discounts ect..

EVERYBODY BUT YOU LOVES THE IDEA.

FANS 1st!

major sports teams want to use the concept. Is your blood type orange? Great! join the largest fan force in college right here in big orange country. Go Vols GO!

Posted by cryingstill on February 20, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

EVERYBODY BUT ME?? DOES'NT LIKES THE IDEA..
YOU'RE THE ONLY 1 ON HERE TRYING TO DEFEND IT,LOL
TELL ME ANOTHER LIE...DUDE IF I WANT DISCOUNTS I'LL BUY ARBY'S COUPON BOOK, A SCHOOL COUPON BOOK, THAT ACTUALLY DOES GOOD THINGS FOR OUR COMMUNITY, BESIDES 10% OFF A LONGNECK AND FOOD AT A BAR.. GET REAL XUTGRAD, LIKE YOU ACTUALLY DID GRADUATE FROM UT. JESUS FIRST XUTGRAD.. GET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT.. THAT MIGHT BE YOUR PROBLEM... TELL ME WHICH MAJOR SPORTS TEAM WOULD WANT THIS CRAP TO BE PART OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL PROGRAM???????
THIS IS THE MOST RETARDEST DEE DEE DEE CONCEPT OF A FAN FORCE LUKE THAT I HAVE EVER HEARD OF OR SEEN, AND THE WAY IT'S BEING RAN, IT WOULD NEVER GO ANYWHERE ANYWAYS... SO GOOD LUCK CHUCK... BE AS GAY AS YOU WANT TO BE.. JOIN THE BOA 2DAY....LOL...TOO FUNNY, YOU AND B.O.A. IS LAME!

Posted by VolnAZ on February 20, 2008 at 7:11 p.m. (Suggest removal)

cryingstill.... stop the damn yelling!!!! It was a good Idea, why Can't the best University in the nation have a fan club like this? Your just mad you didn't think of it first. I think this whole situation just proves the School is not concerned with what it puts on the field, court, diamond, and other methods of athletic comp. they have. They just care about how much Money they get from us "FANS" have you compared our ticket prices to some of the other top universities around the country. We are getting raped by the UTAD!!!!

Posted by TommyJack on February 20, 2008 at 8:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Must be missing something here. Don't see why there is such intensity about this. Maybe I'm too far away to get it. Selah

Posted by cryingstill on February 21, 2008 at 10:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

VolnAZ......who are you to tell me not to use Caps? I can't see well, so there!But, I could read your cursing (really cool)
And by the way General the Avalanche won't happen out in Colorado it's waiting for you
back in K-Town!

Posted by johnlg00 on February 21, 2008 at 11:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I don't know all the details of this issue, but it seems to me that all UT is doing is protecting a valuable trademark. Sports licensing IS a big business these days, and UT makes a lot of money from it. Much of this goes to fund the non-revenue sports and to cover other ongoing UTAD expenses. It is one reason why we have been able to avoid playing in Alcoa Stadium or Pilot Oil Arena. It is not right for individuals to profit from the nationwide reputation the university and the UTAD has built, except under carefully defined conditions, which the BOA seems to be trying to circumvent.

Posted by ORIGINALPEARLFAN on February 24, 2008 at 12:15 a.m. (Suggest removal)

JAMISON IS IN THIS AS A FAN OF THE VOLS AND HAS DONE NOTHING BUT HELP CHILDREN IN THE PROCESS. ENLIGHTIN ME ON HOW THE UNIVERSITY HAS USED "UT" TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT SICK CHILDREN AND MAKE THEM FEEL IMPORTANT AND MAKE THEM LAUGH AND GIVE THEM SOMETHING I MAY NOT KNOW BUT I DO KNOW WHAT JAMISON HAS DONE AND HAVE KNOWN HIM PERSONALY! YOU ARE A BIG KID AT HEART THANKS PEARL!!!!!

Posted by cryingstill on February 24, 2008 at 1:43 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Don't get out much? Almost every athlete has visited and spent time with the children at ETCH!
Signed autographs,played and recieved laughter and giggles in return!!
By the way, they weren't paid to do it or promoted
to join the BOA!

Posted by cryingstill on February 26, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

And by the way, Who is Pearl you're talking about
Bruce??? Oh wait you're saying that Jamison so called GENERAL has a secret nickname "PEARL" wtf is that??? LOL YOU'RE RIGHT HE MAKES ME LAUGH NOW EVEN MORE THAN I REALLY THOUGHT I COULD, WILL HE PUT ON THAT SHINY HELMET AND DANCE FOR ME TOO???? OK GATHER AROUND THE KIDS..LOL
TOOOOOO FREAKINN HILARIOUS NOW, LORD PLEASE HELP GET RID OF THESE TYRANTS, AMEN...

Posted by XutGrad on February 29, 2008 at 11:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CRYING ABOUT WHAT? ARE YOU OK?
WHY ARE YOU SO BITTER? JUST BE A FAN.

Posted by XutGrad on February 29, 2008 at 11:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

CRYINGSTILL**********

DO YOU KNOW THE GENERAL PERSONALLY? WOW!!!! I WOULD LIKE TO SHAKE HIS HAND.WHAT AN AMERICAN .
HOW DO YOU KNOW THAT GUY?SCHOOL....?

Posted by cryingstill on March 17, 2008 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

AN AMERICAN???
VERY PATRIOTIC CALLING YOUR SELF A "GENERAL"
BALLZY TOO,9knowingly no ties to military) THATS DEFAMATORY TO ALL MILITARY personell..YEA HE IS VERY AMERICAN.. I DONT AND WILL NEVER SALUTE, NOR SHAKE THAT HAND OF ONE WHO PUTS THEIR EGO'S IN FRONT OF THEIR PATRIOTISM........
NO DIDNT GO TO SCHOOL WITH HIM, HE DROPPED OUT..
I WENT TO A DIFF SCHOOL ANYWAYS.. AND GRADUATED.
I'M LIKE LEE GREENWOOD, "IM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN"

Posted by cryingstill on March 17, 2008 at 12:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OH YEA, SORRY THE CORRECT % OF PEOPLE BEING SEEN INFRONT OF AND ACTUALLY JOING, TYPO
B.O.A. HAS BEEN SEEN BY LETS GO WITH 1,000,000 PEOPLE THAT HAVE HEARD BOS BS ON JOING, NOW IN OCT, 21 ARTICLE "BIG ORANGE BATTLE LINES" IN THAT ARTICLE THEY SAID THEY HAD ROUGHLY ABOUT=4800 MEMBERS THAT HAS PAID TO JOIN, OK, HERE IS WHY ITS LAME.OUTTA 1MILLION(low percentage its even higher anount of people that has actually seen and heard the BOS BS) PEEPS SEEN & HEARD OVER 4 YEARS, THAT IS ONLY"0.0048%" OF DEE DEE DEES or SIMPLY MISLED FANS, THAT HAVE JOINED B.O.A., NOW IF THAT DOES NOT PROVE THAT UT FANS NOR WHOMEVER DONT WANT THIS TO BE & NOT BE APART OF UNIFIED ARMIES OA AMERICA OR UNIFIED ARMY OF VOL ALLEGIANCE OF FANS, THAN CASE CLOSED BYE BYE ACTION SPORTS, DAVID "NOPEARL" JAMISON. GODD WRITTENS.. I HEARD OIL WAS GOOD TIME TO INVEST IN;)LOL, C.S.TILL
LIKE I SAID MOST UT FANS THAT SMELL DOODOO, ARE SMART ENUFF NOT TO STEP IN IT;)!!!!!!!!!

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