GoVols247 takes a look at some of the reaction to the Tennessee baseball team holding off Texas A&M for a 6-5 victory and its first national title
Ryan Callahan
The Tennessee baseball team made history Monday night by winning the first national championship in program history with a 6-5 victory over Texas A&M in the deciding third game of the Men's College World Series finals. The Vols' third trip to Omaha, Neb., in the past four years allowed them to finally take home a trophy, Tennessee's first national championship in a major men's sport since the Vols'1998 football title.
It was an unforgettable moment for everyone involved in Tennessee athletics, from administrators and UT coaches in other sports to current and former athletes. And plenty of them shared their excitement Monday night after the Vols put the finishing touches on the championship.
Here'sa look at some of the reaction on social media after Tennessee's historic victory Monday night against the Aggies, which completed the Vols' comeback from a 1-0 deficit in the best-of-three championship series.
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The official X account of ESPN's "SportsCenter" shared the video of the moment Tennessee fans will be reliving for years: Vols pitcher Aaron Combs' strikeout of Texas A&M's Ted Burton for the final out of the game.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 25, 2024TENNESSEE HAS DONE IT!
THE FIRST NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP IN @VOL_BASEBALL HISTORY ? pic.twitter.com/AmiWwc678W
Tennessee football coach Josh Heupel, who traveled to Omahato attend Monday's game coming off a busy recruiting weekend, didn't waste any time congratulating the Vols on their accomplishment.
Congrats @Vol_Baseball! ? #GBO #MCWS https://t.co/tayPSQoszL
— Josh Heupel (@coachjoshheupel) June 25, 2024
The official X account for Tennessee athletics posted a video showing the fans gathered on campus at Vol Village for the university's outdoor watch party celebrating the final out of the game.
IT IS TIME TO PARTY. pic.twitter.com/Ck3vPreeTS
— Tennessee Athletics (@Vol_Sports) June 25, 2024
The Vols also shared aview of a watch party that provided a look at some theirfans' reactions immediately after Tennesseeput the finishing touches on itsfirst baseball national championship.
IT'S GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL ? pic.twitter.com/YxD4UB1KXs
— Tennessee Athletics (@Vol_Sports) June 25, 2024
Former NFL quarterback Robert Griffin III, who's also a former ESPN analyst,shared with his 2.2 million followers a list ofTennessee coach Tony Vitello's accomplishments with the Vols.
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) June 25, 2024MASSIVE SHOUTOUT to @Vol_Baseball Head Coach Tony Vitello.
Before Tony
-13 year NCAA tournament drought
-Only 4 CWS appearances since 1947After Tony
-5 straight NCAA Tournaments
-3 CWS appearances in 4 years
-1st National Title EVERSweet Mustaches and Rocky Top #GBO pic.twitter.com/e2iMnwky0d
Joe Rexrode of The Athletic posted a video from field level showing the moment Tennessee finished off Monday's victory.
Here’s how it looked on field level when the Vols won a national championship. pic.twitter.com/0yy513vie0
— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) June 25, 2024
Before announcing Tennessee's plans for a championship parade Tuesday evening, athletic director Danny White made a post congratulating the Vols on winning their first title.
— Danny White (@AD_DannyWhite) June 25, 2024How about it Vol Nation!?!?
Tonight was definitely worth the wait. Congratulations, fellas, on bringing home the National Championship!
See AlsoDiamondbacks 5-4 Phillies (Jun 21, 2024) Game Recap - ESPNAussie Boomers notes: Camp has been ultra-physical, unbelievably competitiveJuan Ortega Fantasy Baseball Projections & Stats | RazzballCurley Martha Fantasy Baseball Projections & Stats | RazzballAnd stay tuned for some parade news coming soon!#GBO ? #EverythingSchool #BaseballSchool pic.twitter.com/h6EtELmdSc
Legendary former Tennessee quarterback Peyton Manning and country music star Morgan Wallen, an East Tennessee native, received plenty of airtime during the TV broadcast of Monday's game.After the final out, theywere shown again celebrating the Vols' championship.
Peyton Manning and Morgan Wallen celebrate Tennessee’s National Title pic.twitter.com/Med8eDEDF3
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) June 25, 2024
UT-Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowmanmade a post thankingthe Vols for providing a memorable run for Tennessee fans everywhere.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!!@vol_baseball, the passion & love you have for one another brought you to this unforgettable moment. Thank you for giving all Vols this incredible & historic moment! We are so proud of you! I said it's great to be a Tennessee Vol!#GBO #EverythingSchool? https://t.co/6iTAkPJxXN
— Donde Plowman (@DondePlowman) June 25, 2024
With Heupel and Tennesseemen's basketball coach Rick Barnesin attendance for Monday's game,Kyle Tucker of The Athletic took the opportunity to ask where the Vols' coaches in the three major men's sports rank among the nation's best.
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) June 25, 2024Made me think: does Tennessee have the best trio of football, men’s basketball, baseball coaches in the SEC? In the country?
(I haven’t given this much thought at all, so don’t dunk on me if they’re a super-obvious better trio.) https://t.co/G6c9CaAQWc
"SportsCenter" shared video of Vitello celebrating with the Tennessee fans in attendance by jumping into the stands moments after Monday's game.
TONY VITELLO JOINS THE FANS‼️@Vol_Baseball | #MCWS pic.twitter.com/nKQin2RT7u
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 25, 2024
Former Tennessee wide receiver Donte Stallworth, who spent more than a decade in the NFL, was among the former Vols who shared their excitement in posts on their X accounts after Tennesseetook home its first baseball national championship Monday night.
I SAID IT’S GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL!!!
— Donté Stallworth (@DonteStallworth) June 25, 2024
David Ubben of The Athletic pointed out that Tennessee has been anything but dull since Vitello arrived in Knoxville. Monday's win finally put the Vols on top of the college baseball world after their third trip to the Men's College World Series in four years.
— David Ubben (@davidubben) June 25, 2024Tennessee has been the most fun and interesting program in college baseball a few years running.
Cool to see Tony Vitello build them into the best program now, too.
UT President Randy Boydmade a post on his X account congratulatingthe Vols on a memorable win and season.
Congratulations @Vol_Baseball!!!! What a win. What a season! Go Vols!!! pic.twitter.com/qCrt9YrGOC
— Randy Boyd (@randyboyd) June 25, 2024
Former Tennessee offensive lineman Trey Smith of the NFL's Kansas City Chiefs was among the former Vols football players whor*lished UT's success on the diamond Monday night.
VOLS ARE CHAMPS ! ?
— Trey Smith (@treysmith) June 25, 2024
Former Tennessee defensive tackle Kahlil McKenzie, who also spent time in the NFL, celebratedthe Vols' national championship from Texas.
— Kahlil McKenzie Jr. (@Kahlil_Mckenzie) June 25, 2024Me while I play Rocky Top everywhere I go in this state of Texas for the next 365 days straight .
ITS GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL pic.twitter.com/o4ksFOebey
Not every championship celebration goes smoothly. One Tennessee fan posted video of a living-room celebration Monday night that claimed an unintended victim.
National Championship Celebration Fail: pic.twitter.com/HTGhhDFA73
— Lace✨ (@lace_jay_bee) June 25, 2024
After Tennessee's win Monday night, Ben Mintz of Barstool Sports was already dreading what he might see and hear from Vols fans in the aftermath of Tennessee's first national championship in a major men's sport in more than 25 years.
Vols fans as national champs not going to be fun for the rest of us.
— Mintzy (@StoolMintzy) June 25, 2024
Shortly after the game, Jake McKeever of College Baseball Central suggested that Tennessee's first national championship team might belong in the conversation as one of the best teams in college baseball history.
We need to talk about this Tennessee team being the greatest ever.
— Jake Mckeever (@CBCJakeMck) June 25, 2024
Tennessee senior center Cooper Mays was among the current UT athletes who made postson their X accounts after the Vols won the national title. He pointedto UT's baseball championship as just the latest example ofthe improvements Tennesseehas madesince he arrived on campus.
Pretty amazing what has been done at this University over the last few years. Super honored that I got to be a small part of it...
— Cooper Mays (@CooperMays) June 25, 2024
Former Tennessee outfielder Jordan Beck, who's now with the Colorado Rockies, celebrated Tennessee's success this season and in previous years — and perhaps in years to come — in a post on his X account.
Decade of the Vols?
— Jordan Beck or Mike Honcho (@jbbeck27) June 25, 2024
Jalen Reeves-Maybin, a former Tennessee linebacker who's now with the NFL's Detroit Lions, also was among the former UT athletes excited about the Vols' championship Monday night.
Hell of a win! Hell of a season! GO VOLS!!!
— Jalen Reeves-Maybin (@ReevesMaybin) June 25, 2024
Former Tennessee outfielder Jared Dickey, who's now in the Kansas City Royals'farm system, was understandably excited after seeing his former team take home a national title.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS GO DAMN VOLS ? ?
— Jared Dickey (@Jared_Dickey3) June 25, 2024
Mark Nagi, a former Knoxville TV sports anchor and author of the book "Decade of Dysfunction," took theopportunity to declare Monday night thatthe decade referenced in his book was officially in the rearview mirror as a result ofTennessee's baseball championship.
— Mark Nagi (@MarkNagi) June 25, 2024And with that, the Decade of Dysfunction… is officially over.
God Bless the Vols… and the great state of Tennessee.
Former Tennessee baseball standout and major-leaguer Chris Burke, who's now anESPN and SEC Network analyst, congratulated the Vols on their run to the championship. Burke said the team has "made us all so proud" and praised them for their toughness and talent.
Congratulations to this team. What incredibly tough and talented group of Dudes! Y’all have made us all so proud. Enjoy this, you have earned it!!! #GBO https://t.co/oi69v5F9Jj
— Chris Burke (@ChrisBurke02) June 25, 2024
Tennessee softball coach Karen Weekly praised Vitello, his players and the Vols' staff in a post celebrating the team's victory.
Couldn’t be happier for my colleague and friend Tony Vitello. Great guy, great staff, great group of players. And….its a great day to be a Tennessee Vol!!! @Vol_Baseball #GBO? https://t.co/58imv3aOlW
— Karen Weekly (@KarenWeekly) June 25, 2024
Mike Ekeler, Tennessee's outside linebackers coach and special teams coordinator, traveled to Omahaand attended Monday's game after wrapping up a busy weekend of recruiting visits and a camp Sunday afternoon. He was excited to see the Vols become the first No. 1 overall seed to win the NCAA baseball tournament since 1999.
1st #1 ranked team to win the Natty since ‘99. @Vol_Baseball & Tony V are legends. #everythingschool #GBO?️? pic.twitter.com/OhtOCH3HlX
— Mike Ekeler (@CoachEkelerUT) June 25, 2024
Tennessee wide receivers coach Kelsey Pope was among the other members of the Vols' football staff to acknowledge the baseball team's accomplishment on social media.
What a year by @Vol_Baseball #GBO? https://t.co/5S6tt885Lc
— Kelsey Pope (@CoachKelseyPope) June 25, 2024
Former Tennessee baseball coach Dave Serrano was in Omaha for Monday's game and was able to celebrate on the field with his son, Vols student assistant coach Parker Serrano.
Congrats to @Vol_Baseball on winning THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!! Exactly 20 years ago @ParkerSerrano18 dad won one now he has one. ??? pic.twitter.com/Gf*ckRYmp6W
— Dave Serrano (@DaveSerrano11) June 25, 2024
Evansville, the surprising No. 4 seed that lost to Tennessee in the Knoxville Super Regional after pushing the Vols to a deciding third game, congratulated UT on its victory Monday night and extended the offer to play again in the future.
— Evansville Purple Aces Baseball (@UEAthleticsBASE) June 25, 2024Congratulations to @Vol_Baseball on winning the national title.
If you want to run the series back sometime, give us a ?
Tennessee basketballplayer Zakai Zeigler, the Vols' starting point guard, was among the UT athletes in other sports who celebrated the baseball team's championship Monday night.
LETS GOOOO CONGRATS @Vol_Baseball ITS GREAT TO BE A TENNESSEE VOL???
— Zakai Zeigler (@Realzakaiz) June 25, 2024
Monday's victory was emotional for plenty of Tennessee fans who had endured a number of difficult moments and years since the Vols won the 1998 football national championship.
I’m crying. It’s been a long 26 years. I love each and every one of you. #GBO
— Trash Can (@TNVolsTrashCan) June 25, 2024
Some Tennessee fans didn't wait long to start spending money on national-championship merchandiseMonday night after the Vols wrapped up their first baseball national title.
— JW (@jwtnvol) June 25, 2024
Some Tennessee fans grew tired of seeing former major-league player Jeff Kent, a five-time All-Star, on TV during the Men's College World Series finals and hadn't forgotten it in the aftermath of Monday's deciding Game Three. Kent is the father of Texas A&M's Kaeden Kent.
Anyone checked in on Jeff Kent thanks
— V͎O͎L͎d͎e͎m͎o͎r͎t͎ (@vo_ldemort) June 25, 2024
Skip Bayless of Fox Sports 1's "Undisputed," who's a Vanderbilt graduate, begrudgingly congratulated Tennessee on its first national championship in baseball while also pointing out that the Commodores picked up two wins against the Vols this season.
Congrats to our arch rival, Tennessee, for winning baseball's national championship. Then again, my Vanderbilt Commodores did make the postseason for the 18th straight yr - longest active streak in D1. And we did beat the Vols twice, 4-0 and 13-4, the latter in the SEC tourney.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) June 25, 2024
Brett Edgerton, a UT graduate and former sports editor of The Daily Beacon who is now ESPN's senior director of social media, traveled to Omaha to attend Monday's game and held up a picture of his father — the late Rob Edgerton, a former Tennessee baseball player — in a video that showed him celebrating moments after the Vols recorded the final out.
WE DID IT, DAD!!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/BP79so6R9R
— Brett Edgerton (@EditorEdge) June 25, 2024
Former Tennessee pitcher Chase Dollander, a first-round pick who's now a highly regarded prospect in the Colorado Rockies' farm system, shared in the excitement of the Vols' national title Monday night.
Let’s go!!!!!!! https://t.co/3M3OIyxDhA
— Chase Dollander (@DollanderChase) June 25, 2024
Former Tennessee pitcher Dalton Saberhagen — the son of former MLB pitcher Bret Saberhagen, a two-time Cy Young winner — also relished the Vols' first championship while sharing his excitement for Tennessee's radio play-by-play announcer, John Wilkerson, and the Vols' longtime trainer, Jeff Wood.
Have so much pride to have played for the Vols, & today was unreal. humbled by the ppl who reached out.. but honestly, I would be lying if I didn’t say that I wanted this the most for @JWilkersonWNML & @barefootatc . If you’re a Vol Baseball fan, they deserve this most! ?
— Dalton Saberhagen (@daltonsaber31) June 25, 2024
