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Tennessee

Why I couldn't pass up an opportunity to join On3 and Volquest

IMG_3593by: Grant Ramey11/01/22GrantRamey
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Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Flashback 10 years ago. I was working two jobs. American Airlines at McGhee Tyson by morning, the Maryville Daily Times by night. Turns out, the just-out-of-college job at a small town newspaper doesn’t pay all that much. 

But after showing up enough on campus during the disastrous final season of the Derek Dooley era — I drove home from the 41-18 loss at Vanderbilt, at night if I’m not mistaken, to clock in at the airport at 4:30 the next morning. Then, I got caught napping later that day when Dooley was fired. I was given an opportunity to be a freelance contributor to Volquest. 

To be honest, Brent Hubbs was giving me way too much money each month to help out his site, considering I wasn’t providing all that much content. But he kept me paying me anyway. And that opportunity allowed me to quit my side job, retire from constant physical exhaustion and just focus on being a full-time sportswriter.

It was income from Brent that helped me buy the house that my wife and I have spent the last seven years raising our kids in. And it was his freelance opportunity, along with work at the Daily Times, that led to my next opportunities in this business.

So when I was given the opportunity to rejoin Brent and his staff at Volquest, I felt like I needed to pay him back for everything he did for me a decade ago. That starts today.

I’m excited to get to work with On3 and help the company grow. I’ve worked for Shannon Terry in the past and I know everything he stands for and how he does business. Wherever Shannon is, that’s where the cutting edge will be. 

I’ve covered Tennessee basketball full-time for the last seven years, starting right around the time Rick Barnes walked in the door. I’m excited to help Rob on the basketball beat as Barnes continues running the elite program he has built. 

Tennessee football is in the best spot it has been in … in who knows how long. The Vols very well could be the No. 1 team when the College Football Playoff rankings are released later tonight. They have the current odds-on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy, too, in Hendon Hooker. It’s a special time in what has truly been a special season.

And Tony Vitello has quickly built a monster with Tennessee baseball. It’s a fun time to be on campus and I’m fortunate to be given this opportunity to continue covering Tennessee athletics.

I’m ready to play my role on this staff, alongside Brent, Austin, Rob and Eric. Wherever they need me, that’s where I’ll be. And I’m ready to be part of the Volquest community, where I hope I can add coverage of Tennessee athletics that will help make this site better. 

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