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Pearl visits Chattanooga to thank fans for supporting UT basketball

By: Jim Tanner
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Bruce Pearl

Fresh off the Vols’ first Southeastern Conference championship in 41 years and a trip to the NCAA tournament’s Sweet 16, Tennessee men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl isn’t about to rest on his laurels.

Pearl was in Chattanooga today to speak to the Better Business Bureau’s annual luncheon and awards presentation, and he reflected on the Vols’ season.

“We are very blessed and very fortunate to have accomplished something so significant,” he said. “At the same time, we would always like to go further. We got to the Sweet 16 a couple of times, it was our desire to go another step — whether that’s the Elite Eight or the Final Four.”

Staff Photo by Brett Clark -- University of Tennessee Basketball coach Bruce Pearl stops to talk to the media representatives as he walks in to the Chattanooga Better Business Bureau luncheon at the Chattanoogan today.

Pearl said that coming to Chattanooga is an important way for him to thank fans for their support of UT basketball.

“This is a great way for me to get out and also say thank you. And make sure people know how much a part of our success (was because of the fans).”

While much of the focus is on the Vols season that just ended, Pearl is already looking to the future of Tennessee basketball, a future that includes UT signee and East Ridge standout Phillip Jurick.

“Very, very excited about Phillip,” Pearl said of the 6-11 post player. “Very excited about his potential and the things that he brings — his ability to rebound, his ability to block shots and defend, he’s become a better scorer. We’re looking forward to getting him to campus and beginning the process of pushing him harder than he’s ever been pushed before.”

See tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free Press for complete coverage.

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