University of Tennessee Athletics
Photo by: Jenna Laughlin/Tennessee Athleti
Tennessee Spirit Honors Tradition of Smokey
October 21, 2019 | Cheer, Dance & Mascots
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. –The Mississippi State game was an important game on the field for the Tennessee football team. In addition to being the team's first SEC win of the season, the weekend brought forth special events that helped honor the tradition of Tennessee's live mascot, Smokey.
Tennessee Athletics and the Tennessee Spirit Program hosted a reunion for the handlers of Vol Nation's favorite four-legged friend. The event consisted of a reception, tailgate and recognition on the field during the football game against Mississippi State.
Inviting the handlers back gave the group an opportunity to share old stories and talk about how much being a handler has impacted their life.
The group also had the opportunity to reminisce on their time spent on Rocky Top and relive some of their favorite college memories that came along with being a handler.
"The weekend was a great opportunity to reconnect with fellow Smokey Handlers that I served with and to meet several Smokey Handlers that I didn't know from the time before me," said Dipal Chaudhari, who served as a handler for Smokey IX during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. "On game day, it was great connecting with the athletic department staff and being together with Smokey on the field brought back some of the best memories of my college career."
In addition to the handlers being honored for their service to the University of Tennessee and Smokey, the Hudson family accompanied the handlers on the field to be honored for their role of being the owners of Smokey.
The canine has been owned by their family since Blue Smokey became the first mascot during a pep club competition that took place during halftime of the Mississippi State game in 1953.
"Being Smokey's Handler is one of the greatest experiences I can imagine," said current junior handler, Houston Cooksey. "To carry on the tradition of Smokey is a great honor to have, especially after being able to hear the experiences from past handlers."
Cooksey will take over the role of senior handler next year after the current senior handlers, Chase Cardoza and Jesse Head, graduate this upcoming spring.
Tennessee Athletics and the Tennessee Spirit Program hosted a reunion for the handlers of Vol Nation's favorite four-legged friend. The event consisted of a reception, tailgate and recognition on the field during the football game against Mississippi State.
Inviting the handlers back gave the group an opportunity to share old stories and talk about how much being a handler has impacted their life.
The group also had the opportunity to reminisce on their time spent on Rocky Top and relive some of their favorite college memories that came along with being a handler.
"The weekend was a great opportunity to reconnect with fellow Smokey Handlers that I served with and to meet several Smokey Handlers that I didn't know from the time before me," said Dipal Chaudhari, who served as a handler for Smokey IX during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. "On game day, it was great connecting with the athletic department staff and being together with Smokey on the field brought back some of the best memories of my college career."
In addition to the handlers being honored for their service to the University of Tennessee and Smokey, the Hudson family accompanied the handlers on the field to be honored for their role of being the owners of Smokey.
The canine has been owned by their family since Blue Smokey became the first mascot during a pep club competition that took place during halftime of the Mississippi State game in 1953.
"Being Smokey's Handler is one of the greatest experiences I can imagine," said current junior handler, Houston Cooksey. "To carry on the tradition of Smokey is a great honor to have, especially after being able to hear the experiences from past handlers."
Cooksey will take over the role of senior handler next year after the current senior handlers, Chase Cardoza and Jesse Head, graduate this upcoming spring.
Players Mentioned
/ Cheer, Dance & Mascots
/ Cheer, Dance & Mascots
/ Cheer, Dance & Mascots
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