SEWANEE, Tenn. – Bill Barry has witnessed college football at both its loftiest levels and more humble roots. Now 69 and recently retired, he has worked at both Division I Tennessee and Division III Sewanee, which doesn’t allow athletic scholarships.
Yet to listen to Barry discuss both programs Saturday afternoon as he sat on the edge of Sewanee’s Hardee-McGee Field, the fourth oldest piece of real estate in college football at 123 years young, was to be at least a little bit surprised by which former employer he placed in which category.
“Knowing both of them,” he said of the Volunteers and Tigers, “the most genuine form of football is on this (Sewanee’s) level.”
The Tigers’ form of football fell short Saturday against Centre College, the undefeated Colonels clubbing them by a 31-3 score. The loss dropped Sewanee to 1-6 for the season despite 3,500-seat Harris Stadium overflowing with students and their well-dressed parents on Family Weekend.
Yet the outcome did little to dampen the joy of Tigers freshman defensive back and former Baylor School standout Glenn Ireland, who stands second on the team in tackles.