While the megapixels and decibels are destined to rise dramatically, Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton can hardly contain his excitement about the countdown to arguably the most anticipated UT football season in school history.
Renovations at Neyland Stadium will continue to be a work in progress this season, but the view is going to be better than ever for the Sept. 5 season opener against Western Kentucky and then a week later against UCLA.

Go ahead and get the popcorn ready. Rocky Top is going to have one of the best big-screen TV’s in the land.
The new $4 million video board with more than 4,500 square feet is almost four times larger than the Jumbo Tron with 1,260 square feet. While portions of the new scoreboard will be used for statistics, graphics and ads, it has stunning replay capability. At roughly 127 feet long and 37 feet tall, the new scoreboard will be connected to more than $750,000 in high-definition cameras and digital equipment.
It can light up the sky like a fireworks show.
“It’s top of the line—wow,” Hamilton said. “I am looking forward to watching Bugs Bunny cartoons with my kids on Saturday mornings.”
They would have to make room for more than 100,000 fans eager to watch some of the best football in the country.

The arrival of brash new coach Lane Kiffin—and his outstanding staff—has spawned more excitement and interest in the 2009 season. Regarded as a tireless worker, Kiffin’s main job is to supervise the recruitment and development of championship caliber student-athletes.
The football program is in a rebuilding mode, much like the 80-year-old stadium. The seemingly endless work is in the second phase of a projected $200 million renovation that looks 75 years down the road.
The work is vital to maintain—and possibly save—the historic place that bears a general’s name.

“We’ve said all along that our goal is to have Neyland Stadium remain the centerpiece of our program for a long, long time,” said Hamilton, who announced the project four years ago. “That means bringing it up to speed on all fronts, from seating to technology and ascetics and accessibility and amenities for our fans.”
“It’s been a fabulous place ever since we’ve been here and they continue to improve it,” Kiffin said. “This is a great place for our players and our fans.”

The pageantry of UT football can feature a third generation of tailgating to the Vol Navy or a child’s first game.
The crowds help UT take in about $4 million per game in ticket sales and concessions. It is sound business to build more luxury suites and upgrade concourses, restrooms, concession stands or souvenir shops.
Along with the construction of several levels on the West Side above Phillip Fulmer Way, fans will appreciate improved access. Seven staircases have replaced scissor ramps. There are a couple more elevators on the West Side and two more are in the works. Club levels are being added and the upscale “Tennessee Terrace” should open in 2010.
It is a jaw-dropping undertaking.

“This massive renovation is retro-fitting Neyland Stadium,” said Scott Carter, UT’s associate athletic director in charge of sales for luxury suites at the stadium and arena. “We are going to provide Vol fans with seating options that are usually only found in newer NFL stadiums. It will truly provide our fans with the best seat in the house to watch the Big Orange.”
Almost half of the 1,800 seats in the Tennessee Terrace already have been sold. It will be in areas that are currently sections RR through WW. The cost is $3,000 per seat, plus a one-time gift of $2,500 and the money helps defray renovation costs. For details, log onto www.tennesseeterrace.com. You also can contact Scott Carter or Amanda Horvath at (865) 974-1218. Long-time UT associates McCarty-Holsaple-McCarty handled the design and Rentenbach is the general contractor.
The familiar Neyland Stadium sign has been taken down until the work is done. Once the season is over, extensive brickwork will replace the plywood that has brown paint. The popular Gate 21 area also will have a strikingly new look for 2010.

Regardless of how the construction shapes up, the Vols are going to put on a different type of hard hat. After some of the most physical pre-season practices in recent memory, UT wants to build some momentum—and confidence—going into the Sept. 19 test at Florida on national TV.
The Vols have eight home games and hope to rebound from a 5-7 record. The Ohio Bobcats will visit Neyland Stadium on Sept. 26, followed by Auburn (Oct. 3), Georgia (Oct. 10), South Carolina (Oct. 31), Memphis (Nov. 7) and Vanderbilt (Nov. 21).
The other road games will be at Alabama (Oct. 24), Mississippi (Nov. 14) and Kentucky (Nov.28).
Kiffin turned 34 on May 9 and is just the third head coach at UT in past 33 years, following Phillip Fulmer and Johnny Majors.
“I’m not promising you how many wins or how many championships—I can’t do that,” Kiffin said. “But I want the Tennessee family to know this: No one is going to outwork me as a head coach and no one is going to outwork our staff. That’s the promise I am giving you. The wins will come after that.”
Game Times: Kickoff has been set for Western Kentucky (12:21 pm, WVLT), UCLA (4 pm, ESPN) and Florida (3:30 pm, WVLT).