Interesting Happenings in the Visiting Team Area After the Game
Tennessee fans throughout Neyland Stadium often greet visiting teams with scattered boos as they take the field, but there is more to the story beneath the surface. Behind the South end, a drama unfolds after each game that few get to see. Although the Vol Network is unlikely to showcase highlights from the visitors' area, the activity there remains significant.
History and Location of the Visiting Team Area
The current visiting team section dates back to the 1948 stadium expansion and has undergone a few updates over nearly 80 years, including the addition of a new media room. This area remains bustling on multiple fronts after games.
Visiting Team Areas Across College Football
Visiting team zones often seem like an afterthought in many college stadiums, but this contributes to the unique atmosphere of the game experience. Sometimes coaches conduct their post-game radio shows before their formal media sessions, creating logistical challenges. The home school’s Sports Information Department (SID) team in the press box often waits eagerly to relay coaches’ comments to the media.
Post-Game Controversy Example from 1996
“Georgia head coach Jim Donnan suggested that Phillip Fulmer ‘ran up the score’ with a late TD pass to Derrick Edmonds.”
This comment was made during a post-game radio show following the 1996 game against Georgia. Such contentious moments are common after games.
“Off the air, Donnan asked show co-host Loran Smith about having dinner with Archie Manning the night before and, perhaps, giving away elements of the Georgia game plan.”
These behind-the-scenes exchanges add another layer to the post-game atmosphere.
Summary
The visiting team area at Neyland Stadium is a vibrant and often overlooked part of the game day experience, filled with moments of tension, strategy, and interaction rarely seen by the public.