1983

Col. Shields at a Vol contest in 1927

Colonel Shields, president of Knoxville's City National Bank and a UT Trustee, provided the initial capital to prepare and equip the field. The field was initiated on March 21, 1921, although for the most part it was a playing field of mud for 5 years. At Homecoming vs the Sewanne Tigers, Nov. 6, 1926, W. S. Shields, center, was presented a bouquet of orange and white chrysanthemums by W. T. Kennerly, left, UT Alumni Association President, in recognition of Shields' contribution of the field, newly sodded that year. At right is R. C. (Red) Matthews, engineering professor, who introduced organized cheerleading to UT in 1907.

When the 1926 season opened, the field was newly sodded and "rounded". The original "field" had been dug up and the old drains replaced by new tile. Eight or ten catch basins had been installed around the field, draining rainwater into two large mains at either end of the field. A "turtle-back" configuration of the playing field promoted drainage into the catch basins. A technique still used today in football.

The man that was in charge of the playing surface from 1926-1960 was Deanie Hoskins. A true Vol in his own right, he took his field every bit as seriously as Neyalnd took his football team. It's reported that Neyland once asked Deanie if his field was going to be ready for an upcoming game and he responded, "my field will be ready, will your team be ready?". Hoskins left his entire estate to UT when he passed on.