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Tennessee’s opening game marks a new era in the history of Neyland Stadium. Jeff Jarnigan will take over as the Vols’ public address announcer when the team hosts Utah State tonight at 7 pm ET.
Jarnigan has served as the Tennessee men’s basketball public address announcer at Thompson-Boling Arena the past nine years. He was also as the public address announcer for the Vols’ spring football game the last eight years.
Jarnigan was hired last month following the April death of Neyland Stadium mainstay Bobby Denton. Denton, 73, held the position since 1967 and was one of the longest-running voices in college sports, before passing away after a brief illness.
“Being chosen as the public address announcer at Neyland Stadium is an honor beyond my wildest dreams,” said Jarnigan in a statement released by the school following his hire. “It is impossible to replace Bobby Denton. His voice and delivery has been as much a part of Big Orange Saturdays as the Vol Walk, running through the T and Rocky Top. My goal is to strive to continue to make the stadium experience the best in America.”
Tennessee’s game with Utah State will be played in front of the first opening game sellout crowd at Neyland Stadium since 2007.
A former freelance journalist from Nashville, Jason covers Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky
