‘What Volunteers always do’: Donde Plowman lauds Tennesseans in push to repel NCAA
University of Tennessee Chancellor Donde Plowman went off script to issue a rallying cry for all Tennesseans to combat an NCAA investigation.
On Friday morning, Plowman opened the UT Campus Advisory Board meeting by breaking away from the agenda to acknowledge the probe and especially the support the university has received.
“It’s been a big week, a long week, a serious week,” Plowman said. “But (the support) is really no surprise. Tennesseans unite around an issue when they feel they’re needed. And that’s what Tennesseans have always done.
“We’ve heard from people all over the state and all over the country and actually all over the world to do what Volunteers always do. (They ask) what can I do to help?”
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How Tennessee galvanized support from governor to students
Plowman knows UT’s firm stance and her fiery words galvanized many powerful people across the state when it came to light Tuesday that the NCAA was investigating allegations that UT broke rules involving name, image and likeness benefits of athletes.
On Monday, Plowman sent a scathing letter to NCAA President Charlie Baker in regard to the investigation, and Knox News obtained the letter via a public records request on Tuesday.
Plowman called the NCAA a bully, chaotic, failing, flawed, intellectually dishonest and replete with defects.
Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti then filed suit against the NCAA over its “NIL-recruiting ban" in federal court on Wednesday. And UT football player Jackson Lampley filed a declaration of his readiness to testify if called upon.
The suit immediately drew support from state officials.
Gov. Bill Lee thanked Plowman for “taking a stand on behalf of all universities and student athletes,” in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Tennessee House Speaker Cameron Sexton told the NCAA to “fix your failures” in a post on X. And other legislators joined in.
"Our university and our elected leaders in state and federal government have shown an unflinching commitment to ethical integrity," UT President Randy Boyd posted on X.
And Plowman got a boost on Wednesday when she said UT students approached her during her regular cabinet meet-and-greet event at the student union.
“These weren’t student athletes,” Plowman said. “It was just students (who said), ‘Thanks for standing up for us.’”
So Plowman opened the campus advisory board by thanking them for supporting UT’s pushback against the NCAA.
“It has been overwhelming and just so gratifying to see the support we have received,” Plowman said. “It’s just nonstop from President Boyd to our trustees – they have been so supportive – from the governor, our senators, our elected officials in Washington and Nashville, students, faculty, staff.”
Donde Plowman: 'You can count on this'
Plowman started her impromptu speech with a joke Friday.
"I know that everyone has been following what’s been happening this week with Tennessee and the NCAA. If you haven’t, like, where have you been?” she said.
But Plowman finished with stern promise.
“So let me just say there is a lot to work out. But you can count on this: We’re always going to prioritize student athletes and we’re going to take care of our university’s reputation,” she said.
“… And honestly I have never felt prouder to be a Tennessean.”
Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. Twitter @AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Donde Plowman calls on Tennesseans to repel NCAA amid NIL investigation
