Tennessee Vols to be feted by Music City Bowl

By Mike Organ • THE TENNESSEAN • December 25, 2010

The Predators and the General Jackson Showboat will be added to the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl mix this year after Tennessee and North Carolina arrive Sunday.

With Opry Mills closed because of flood damage, bowl officials changed some of the activities in which the teams participate leading up to the game Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at LP Field.

The official welcome party for both teams will take place Monday aboard the General Jackson Showboat. On Tuesday players from both teams will attend the Predators game against the Dallas Stars at 7 p.m. at Bridgestone Arena.

"We're hearing a lot of the players have never been to an NHL game so it'll be a great opportunity to give them a new experience," Music City Bowl president Scott Ramsey said.

After reporting to the Gaylord Opryland Resort at noon Sunday, Tennessee will practice at 5 p.m. at Vanderbilt — where the SEC representative practices. North Carolina is also staying at Opryland, but won't practice until Monday at 12:15 p.m. at Father Ryan.

All practices are closed to the public, but the Vols will dress at Vanderbilt Stadium and then walk down Jess Neely Drive and across to the John Rich Practice Facility.

Fans will have the opportunity to greet the players and coaches at that time.

The Vols follow the same routine Monday and Tuesday when they practice at noon. Wednesday's practice time has not been set.

The welcome party has been at Wildhorse Saloon where the players competed in a rib-eating contest. That contest will take place on the General Jackson Showboat along with a "Guitar Hero" competition.

The General Jackson will dock downtown. Coaches and players will be treated to entertainment provided by The Storm Kings at the Hard Rock Café.

The coaches luncheon Wednesday at the Wildhorse where fans participate in a question-and-answer session with both teams is sold out.

The traditional battle of the bands starts at 5 p.m. Wednesday on the corner of Second Avenue and Broadway. Little Texas performs a free concert before the bands play.

A North Carolina/ACC pep rally open to the public is Thursday at 1:45 p.m. on the corner of First Ave. and Broadway followed by a UT/SEC pep rally at 2:30.

New for game day: Paratroopers from Fort Campbell's 101st Screaming Eagle Airborne Division who will land inside LP Field and deliver the game ball. They replace the fighter jet flyover. The game is sold out.