It appears that there is no official news or updates available as of now (June 2025) regarding a bronze statue being commissioned or unveiled to commemorate Karlyn Pickens, the superstar pitcher for the Tennessee Vols. While she has achieved legendary status—shattering NCAA pitching records and earning multiple top-tier awards—news of an actual statue is conspicuously absent.
Let’s highlight why Karlyn warrants such a tribute:
- In March 2025, Pickens threw a 78.2 mph pitch—the fastest ever recorded in Division I softball—surpassing Monica Abbott’s long-standing mark of 77 mph.
- She didn’t stop there: in May 2025, during the NCAA Super Regional vs. Nebraska, she upped the record to 79.4 mph
- Named SEC Pitcher of the Year for both 2024 and 2025, becoming one of only a handful of pitchers to earn the honor multiple times (wvlt.tv).
- Accumulated major weekly honors: consecutive NFCA & SEC Pitcher of the Week recognitions—unique in program history
- 2025 season stats: unprecedented 1.03 ERA, 270 strikeouts, 23‑9 record, SEC Pitcher of the Year title
- Fans and media have celebrated her blazing speed and dominance, with digital reactions like:
- The team and fans often buzz that her 78 mph pitch is softball’s equivalent of a 100+ mph baseball fastbal
You asked for the latest update on a bronze statue of Karlyn Pickens. Here’s what we’ve found:
- No official press releases or athletic department announcements mention any statue.
- Searches of university news pages, sports sections, and local media show no indication of a statue being planned, approved, funded, or installed.
- The program has honored other sports figures—like Monica Abbott and football trailblazers—with statues or dedications in the past (, but no parallel steps appear to have been taken for Karlyn yet.
- No statue planned (yet)
Despite her achievements, the university may not have initiated a project—or has chosen another mode of recognition. - Plans in progress—but unannounced
There may be ongoing internal discussions or early-stage planning, but nothing has been made public. - Confusion with other honors
The many weekly and seasonal awards might create the impression of a statue announcement, even if none exists.
If you’re seeking more clarity or details, here’s how to proceed:
- Contact UT Athletic Department
Ask directly whether there are any plans, committees, or fundraising efforts for honoring Karlyn with a statue. - Monitor university channels
Keep an eye on:- UT Athletics official site
- University of Tennessee news portal
- Local Knoxville media (Knoxville News Sentinel, WVLT, etc.)
- Engage on fan forums
Reddit boards like r/ockytop often pick up early rumors or leaks. No mention yet there—but that could change.
- If you want to champion the cause, starting or supporting a petition, launching a fundraising effort, or contacting AD Danny White could push the idea forward.
- If you’re a volunteer, alumnus, or community member, you could help lead or donate to such an initiative.
Karlyn Pickens has undoubtedly cemented her place in Tennessee softball history—and in NCAA lore—with her record‑breaking pitches and award‑heavy résumé. A bronze statue would be fitting, but as of now, no such statue exists, and no official plans have been announced.
If you’d like, I can help draft a petition, find how to contact UT authorities, or set up alerts for any new developments. Let me know!
