The Checkerboard End Zones
by AutumnSpectacle.com staff

Imagine this: You are blindfolded and taken to an undisclosed location. As you are led toward your destination, you have no idea where you are.  And now, the blindfold comes off.  You are standing in the middle of a grass, orange and white checkerboard.  You don't need to think, you know: “Tennessee.”

Yes, it can be but one place.  You are standing on the end zone grass inside Neyland Stadium, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.  Tennessee’s checkerboard end zones are recognized by college football fans everywhere as the home of the Volunteers.

The tradition of the checkerboards was first revealed in 1964 when Doug Dickey took over as the head coach.  Inexplicably, the checkerboards were removed when the Neyland Stadium sod was replaced by artificial turf in 1968.  The unique design made its way back to UT in 1989 and has been a gameday fixture ever since.

Though imposters have popped up from time to time (currently, Fresno State), there is only one set of checkerboard end zones.  And, when you see a Vol ballcarrier dash across those orange and white squares, it makes you want to scream, “Give him six!  Touchdown Big Orange!”

For more Traditions & Pageantry, click on the masthead and Chris Schenkel quote.

"Humility is the lesson every athlete must learn in secret commune with his soul - or he gets it in big sour doses on the field as thousands roar."
   - Knute Rockne