BIG ORANGE BROADCAST: The Vol Network and Gray Media Present “Volunteer Gameday” – A New Live Pregame Show That Will Light Up Saturdays All Over
In a bold and exciting new development for fans of Tennessee Volunteers football, the Vol Network and Gray Media have teamed up to launch “Volunteer Gameday,” a dynamic live pregame show designed to bring the energy, tradition, and passion of Rocky Top directly into homes across the country. This innovative production, which will air live every Saturday during the football season, represents a significant evolution in college football media coverage, aimed squarely at enhancing the game day experience for Big Orange fans everywhere. With deep roots in Tennessee sports culture and a commitment to high-quality storytelling, “Volunteer Gameday” promises to be more than just a show—it’s set to become a new game day tradition.
At its core, “Volunteer Gameday” is a celebration of everything that makes Tennessee football special. From the Pride of the Southland Band and the power of “Rocky Top” echoing through Neyland Stadium, to the sea of orange and white checkerboard and the generations of fans who bleed Volunteer orange, the show is designed to capture the full scope of Tennessee football culture. Hosted by a rotating team of Vol Network talent and Gray Media personalities, the program will blend live analysis, behind-the-scenes access, player and coach interviews, historical retrospectives, and on-site coverage of tailgates and fan experiences. The goal: to bridge the gap between Knoxville and living rooms across the country, helping fans feel like they’re right there on the ground, even if they’re hundreds of miles away.
The show will be filmed live on location from the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville, with some episodes also traveling to key away games to give fans a firsthand look at how the Vols are received in enemy territory. Whether the team is preparing for a home clash with Florida or gearing up for a tough road battle in Athens, “Volunteer Gameday” will bring the sights, sounds, and stories of each matchup directly to the audience, delivering an immersive and engaging experience that goes far beyond what traditional pregame shows offer. The partnership between the Vol Network and Gray Media ensures that the production will be top-tier, with the combined expertise of both organizations elevating the content, visual presentation, and storytelling quality.
“Volunteer Gameday” is not just a media project—it’s a reflection of Tennessee pride. The show will incorporate the voices of current players, legendary alumni, student fans, and community leaders who understand the emotional significance of Tennessee football. Through exclusive interviews, personal stories, and unique segments like “Vol Legends,” “Fan of the Week,” and “The Volunteer Spirit,” the show will go beyond Xs and Os to focus on what makes this program such a vital part of Tennessee identity. One week, viewers might hear from Peyton Manning about what it was like to lead the Vols down the field at Neyland. Another week, they might meet a family who has been tailgating in the same spot since 1972, sharing recipes, rituals, and reasons why Saturdays in the South mean everything.
The show will also offer in-depth analysis from former players and seasoned analysts who know the ins and outs of SEC football. These experts will break down matchups, highlight key players to watch, and offer insights you won’t find anywhere else. This combination of analysis and emotional connection is at the heart of “Volunteer Gameday.” It’s about honoring the traditions of the past while embracing the future, and presenting college football through a distinctly Tennessee lens. Whether it’s the way the Vols run through the “T” before kickoff or the special camaraderie that defines Vol Nation, this show is made for the people who live and breathe Tennessee sports.
Beyond the screen, “Volunteer Gameday” will have a strong digital and social media presence, ensuring that fans can stay connected throughout the week. Behind-the-scenes clips, bonus interviews, fan polls, and interactive features will allow viewers to participate in the conversation no matter where they are. Gray Media’s digital expertise means that the show will extend far beyond its broadcast slot, creating a 360-degree media experience that reaches audiences on every platform. Whether fans are watching on TV, streaming on their phones, or scrolling through game day highlights on social media, “Volunteer Gameday” will be there with them, fueling the excitement and bringing them closer to the action.
The decision to launch “Volunteer Gameday” speaks to a larger trend in college sports media, where fans are seeking more personal, localized, and engaging content. In an era of national coverage and fast-paced sports news, this show is a throwback to what makes college football truly special—the communities, the rituals, the passion, and the pride. It’s about making game day feel like a holiday, something sacred and celebratory, where everyone—from the first-year student in the Vol Walk to the lifelong season ticket holder—is part of the story. And for Tennessee fans, that story is always bigger than football. It’s about legacy. It’s about family. It’s about orange and white woven into the very fabric of life.
“Volunteer Gameday” also serves as a powerful recruiting tool and brand amplifier for the University of Tennessee. As college athletics becomes increasingly competitive and nationally visible, having a dedicated media platform that celebrates the unique aspects of the Volunteer experience is invaluable. Recruits and their families will be able to see not just highlights and scores, but the passion and loyalty of the fan base, the leadership of the coaching staff, and the culture that sets Tennessee apart. In this sense, the show becomes part of the program’s identity—a digital front porch where everyone is welcome to see what the Big Orange family is all about.
Production values for the show will reflect this high standard, with professional crews, top-tier equipment, and cinematic storytelling techniques. Drone shots of Neyland Stadium, slow-motion captures of iconic moments, and live crowd reactions will all contribute to an unforgettable viewing experience. The show’s producers, many of whom have deep ties to Tennessee media and athletics, are committed to creating something that feels both fresh and familiar—a new tradition rooted in the old ones. Music, graphics, and editing choices will reflect the show’s blend of Southern charm, SEC toughness, and Tennessee pride.
A key element of the broadcast will be fan interaction. “Volunteer Gameday” will actively seek to include the voices and stories of everyday fans, whether through live call-ins, social media spotlights, or on-site interviews during tailgates. The fan experience at Tennessee is one of the most vibrant in the nation, and the producers are determined to capture that spirit. Each episode will aim to feature a new slice of Vol Nation, from the dedicated road-trippers who follow the team across the country to the local legends whose names are synonymous with Tennessee football culture. In doing so, the show becomes more than entertainment—it becomes a mirror for the Volunteer community.
Looking ahead, there are plans to expand the scope of “Volunteer Gameday” beyond football. As the brand grows, future iterations could include similar coverage for basketball, baseball, and other athletics, highlighting the full breadth of Tennessee’s sporting excellence. There is also potential for special editions of the show during bowl season, signing day, spring practice, and other key moments on the Tennessee sports calendar. The ambition is to build a platform that never sleeps—one that keeps Vol fans connected all year round.
The launch of “Volunteer Gameday” is also a significant media milestone in the SEC landscape. As other schools and networks experiment with fan-focused content, Tennessee is making a definitive statement: it’s not enough to report on the Vols; you have to live the Vol experience. With this show, Tennessee becomes a leader in college football media innovation, setting a template that other programs will likely follow. The emphasis on community, tradition, and authenticity resonates far beyond Knoxville—it speaks to what makes college sports so powerful in the first place.
None of this would be possible without the historic strength of the Vol Network, one of the most respected collegiate broadcasting arms in the country. For decades, the Vol Network has been the voice of Tennessee athletics, with iconic calls, beloved announcers, and a deep understanding of what makes the Volunteers special. Partnering with Gray Media, one of the nation’s largest and most trusted television groups, takes that legacy to the next level. With access to high-quality resources, wider distribution, and cutting-edge production capabilities, the partnership is poised to redefine what school-centered sports coverage can look like.
Ultimately, “Volunteer Gameday” is about bringing people together. In a time when sports fandom can sometimes feel distant or disconnected, this show brings it back home—back to the heartbeat of the community, the laughter of tailgates, the drama of game day rituals, and the roar of 100,000 voices rising as one. It’s about pride, passion, and the power of the T. Whether you’re a student, an alum, a lifelong fan, or a newcomer discovering the magic of Tennessee football for the first time, “Volunteer Gameday” is your invitation to be part of something unforgettable.
As the Vols take the field this season, and as Saturdays come alive with possibility, “Volunteer Gameday” will be there—counting down to kickoff, celebrating the spirit of the South, and shining a bright orange spotlight on everything that makes this team, this place, and this fanbase truly legendary. Game day just got bigger. Game day just got bolder. Game day just went volunteer.
