University of Tennessee Athletics
Costumes, Candy Highlight Voloween 2016
October 24, 2016 | General
By Jordan Shipowitz, UTsports.com
KNOXVILLE – Superheroes and creepy monsters took over Neyland-Thompson Sports Center Monday night for the Tennessee athletic department's annual Voloween event.
Kickstarted by Vice Chancellor & Director of Athletics Dave Hart in 2012, Voloween brings together UT faculty and staff and their families for a night of trick-or-treating and games with Tennessee student-athletes. Decked out in their best costumes, kids run from station to station grabbing candy and playing games.
Kayla Smith, UT's director of student-athlete development, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) were diligent in their planning of Monday's event, ensuring it was a fun and memorable experience for everyone who took part.
"I love how involved our student-athletes get in this event," Smith said. "Each student advisory representative plans what their team is going to do, and they get competitive over who gets the dunk tank every year. It's amazing to see the event come together"
The activities featured include everything from attempting to eat a donut hanging from a string to trying to dunk a member of the swimming and diving team in a dunk tank. Other activities for the kids included shooting layups with the basketball team and measuring the speed of their baseball/softball pitches with a radar gun.
Grayson Steele, an eager participant in the Voloween festivities, had a blast hitting the dunk-tank bulls-eye and knocking athletes into the water.
"I play baseball during the year," Steele said. "I had a lot of fun dunking (the Vol). It was really funny to see him fall in."
The costumes at Voloween were varied and well-executed, and Star Wars themed costumes seemed to be the heavy favorite this year. From baby Yodas to parents dressed as storm troopers, everyone was getting in the Halloween spirit. Even Smokey got in on the action with an amazing photo booth, where all of the children could take a picture with their favorite mascot.
Sophomore rower Kathryn Cosgrove noticed that the kids stepped up their game this year in the costume department.
"I love seeing all of the kids costumes," Cosgrove said. "They get really creative, and it's cool to get to let loose and have a burst of childhood for a couple of hours."
This event has become a favorite for UT student-athletes each year. Instead of worrying about mid-terms or practice, the athletes can take a night off have fun with the kids in the community who look up to them.
Senior soccer player Anna McClung had a blast with her teammates and playing with the kids.
"I love Voloween, and my senior year has been the best one yet," McClung said. "This is my favorite event that we put on, and it's great to have fun with the kids and get all dressed up."
Halloween is the one night a year you can be whatever you want to be, whether that be a superhero or a Tennessee football player. Voloween is a chance for local children to spend time with some of their sports heroes.
After all, it's not every day you get to dress up like Vols quarterback Joshua Dobbs and trick-or-treat with him.
