Lettermen's Golf Tournament Set for April 20 - University of Tennessee Athletics

Aug. 20, 2001

Lettermen's Golf Tournament Set for April 20

"It's not about the money." That was my first thought when my friend and current T-Club President Don Bosch asked me to write this column about baseball.

During the past several months, there has been a lot of talk about the $250-million-dollar contract of Alex Rodriguez. In recent weeks, two players under long-term contracts have complained about being underpaid at $10 million a year: Frank Thomas of the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodger Gary Sheffield.

Their position, it seems, is their contractual arrangements are "disrespectful." They're not getting their fair share. They have been quoted as saying "It's not about the money."

Yeah right. I find it hard to believe that a man and his family can't "squeak by" on a $10 million a year. Most of us don't even see a fraction of that amount in our entire lifetime. There's something wrong with our society when the Great American Pastime's heroes are commanding $10 million a year plus salaries and complaining about their lot in life, while the average American family can't afford to frequent the baseball stadiums on a regular basis to see their heroes.

I have to wonder what's happened to the sport I knew growing up. I, and maybe you too, felt some ownership and special pride in the game.

Whether you played football, ran track, or were on the swim team at the University of Tennessee, you probably have some sort of fond childhood memory of getting your first baseball glove or playing catch in the backyard with your father.

For me, the game of baseball was never about leading the Vols with the highest batting average, hitting the most homeruns, or having the most RBI, or getting the most long-term financial benefits of the game. What the sport meant to me was the chance to play for an SEC Championship and maybe the chance to play major league baseball so I could spend part of my adult life doing what I loved most.

When you go to see Rod Delmonico's baseball Vols this Spring, you will see young men who hustle, who sacrifice, who play the game of baseball the way it should be played. They play for the love of the game, for their team, for the fans, and to improve the sport.

?I'm sure some of the current Vols will be fortunate enough to be drafted and have a shot at becoming the next Todd Helton. I hope they will remember what the game is all about and play for the love of the game. I hope they can say "It's not about the money" and mean it.

--Rusty Ensor, Baseball 1982

Golf Tournament
Willow Creek Golf Club
12003 Kingston Pike
April 20
11:00 a.m.	Registration & Check-In
11:30 a.m.	Lunch at Willow Creek Golf Club
1:00 p.m.	Golf - Shotgun start
Choose your own foursome (fellow letterman) or the golf committee will place you with a foursome .
We must have reservations and money returned to us by April 10, 2001, in order to reserve your place in the golf tournament.
April 21
1:30 p.m.	Lettermen are invited to bring their families to Neyland Stadium for pictures and autographs
	Barbeque Lunch for lettermen and guest(s)
	Please watch Volunteers Magazine for time and place
4:00 p.m.	Orange & White Football Game - Neyland Stadium
Please plan to go by our Wall of Fame, erected on Johnny Majors Boulevard just outside the Neyland-Thompson Sports Center.

We look forward to seeing you at one of these special events.

We are looking for hole sponsors for our golf tournament at the rate of $100 per hole. If you know of someone who would be willing to sponsor a hole please let us know. Please note that "T" Club members who sponsor a hole may play in the tournament without additional fees.
Contact Judy Constantine for more information at (865) 974-9054.