Vol Network

The Vol Network is the radio and television network of the University of Tennessee Volunteers men's and women's sports teams known as the Vols and Lady Vols. The network was established in 1949, and since 2019, it has been operated by Learfield IMG College.

It consists of two regional sports networks, about 67 radio stations (both AM and FM), as well as eight television stations across Tennessee, also serving varied portions of neighboring states, depending on the station and market.

Some of the Tennessee Vols’ pre-season exhibition and early season basketball games are also streamed via

History

The first Tennessee Volunteers football game radio broadcast was produced by the Vol Radio Network in 1949. The name of the radio network was given by the legendary Robert R. Neyland, with Lindsey Nelson serving as the first-ever play-by-play announcer.

Men's basketball games were added to the Vol Network's portfolio in the early 1950s. The Vol Network began broadcasting Tennessee Lady Vols basketball games in the 1977–78 season. When the Vol Network airs the women's basketball broadcasts, it is identified as the Lady Vol Network. It is claimed to be the largest women's college basketball radio network in the country.

Host Communications managed media rights to University of Tennessee athletics, and operated the Vol Network from 1989 until November 2007, when Host Communications merged with IMG College, a division of IMG.

On-air personalities

• Mike Keith, Director of programming and Play-by-play announcer (2025–present)
• Mickey Dearstone - Play-by-play commentator (Women's Basketball, 1998–present)
• Tim Priest, Color analyst (football, 1999-2021)
• Bert Bertelkamp, Color Analyst (basketball 1999-2025)
• Chris Lofton, Color Analyst (basketball 2025-present)
• John Wilkerson, Studio game day host
• Brent Hubbs, spotter and reporter
• Pat Ryan, Color Analyst (football, 2022-2025)

Notable personalities

• John Ward, the “Voice of the Vols” (1968–1999 football; 1965–1999 basketball), famous for the phrase, “It’s Football Time in Tennessee,” and his touchdown call, ”Give him six!”
• Bill Anderson, former football color analyst and broadcasting partner of Ward
• Lindsey Nelson, first broadcaster on Vol Network (1948–1951)
• Jeff Francis, football sideline reporter (1999–2006)

Programming

Current television programming

• The Rick Barnes Show (2015–present) - men's basketball coach's show

Recent former television programming

• The Pat Summitt Show (1974–2012) - women's basketball coach's show
• The Holly Warlick Show (2012–2019) - women's basketball coach's show
• The Bruce Pearl Show (2005–2011) - men's basketball coach's show; revived onto the Auburn IMG Sports TV Network in 2015
• The Cuonzo Martin Show (2011–2014) - men's basketball coach's show
• The Donnie Tyndall Show (2014–2015) - men's basketball coach's show
• The Phillip Fulmer Show (1992–2008) - football coach's show
• The Derek Dooley Show (2010–2012) - football coach's show
• The Butch Jones Show (2013–2017) - football coach's show

Radio programming

• Big Orange Hotline - Monday evenings during football season (Knoxville, Tri-Cities, Nashville, and Chattanooga area affiliates only)
• Vol Calls - Monday Nights 8:00-9:00 PM ET (7:00-8:00 PM CT)
• The Rick Barnes Show - men's basketball coach's show (radio version)
• Tennessee Tip-off Show - men's basketball pre-game show

Television affiliates

Regional Sports Networks

Former TV affiliates

Radio affiliates

Current affiliates

Tennessee Volunteers games played at night used to be heard across 28 states in the eastern half of the United States and three provinces in eastern Canada thanks to a previous affiliation deal with Nashville's 50,000 watt clear-channel station WLAC. This ended in 2010 when that station lost the Vol Network affiliation to WGFX.

All affiliates broadcast men's and women's basketball as well as UT football unless otherwise stated in the notes column. Fans out of range of all stations can also listen to the game broadcasts via the TuneIn and UT GameDay app or via the University of Tennessee sports website.

Tennessee

Other areas

All sports

Former affiliates

Tennessee

Other states

• Waynesville, North Carolina - WMXF-AM 1400 (football only, disaffiliated in 2010?)
• Sheffield, Alabama - WSHF AM 1380 (football only, disaffiliated in 1990s)

Sponsors

• DISH Network
• Coca-Cola
• Food City

See also

• Tennessee Volunteers
• Tennessee Volunteers basketball
• Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball
• Tennessee Volunteers football
• WKCE - Tennessee Sports Radio - Knoxville's local sports radio station (not part of the Vol Network).
• UK Sports Network - Kentucky’s statewide radio and TV network for the Vols’ SEC rival Kentucky Wildcats.

External links