University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball coach Will Wade.Will Wade’s Mocs made quite the entrance.
With the band playing at a volume past 11 in McKenzie Arena on Friday night, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball team descended the steps from the concourse to the floor through the student section before whipping Division III Covenant 119-56 in Wade’s first game as a head coach.
“That was awesome. It was better than I expected,” he said after the game. “And that the city turned out. We’re very appreciative of the support.”
Wade, the third youngest coach in Division I basketball, has been working the campus, the city and surrounding communities for support since his hiring on May 13.
After all, it is a proud program with 11 NCAA tournament appearances — including a Sweet 16 showing in 1997 — since the school’s Division I era began in 1978.