Local Colleges - Chattanooga Times Free Press

Wiedmer: UTC’s new athletic complex may make late Bucky Wolford greatest Moc ever

Few men have more dramatically changed the expected direction of their own lives more than James L. "Bucky" Wolford.

By Mark Wiedmer March 26, 2022

Photo by Angela Foster / UTC football coach Rusty Wright and Diane Wolford greet one another during Friday's groundbreaking ceremony for the Wolford Family Athletic Center. She is the widow of former UTC player James "Bucky" Wolford, who played a major role in making the center go from an idea to legitimate project.

UTC football team’s spring practices vital for evaluation at four key positions

Rusty Wright wasn't about to dwell on the events of 2021.

By Gene Henley March 25, 2022

Staff file photo by Robin Rudd / Curtis McClendon (52) is a three-year starter on UTC's offensive line, but the Mocs lost four seniors who started games for that position group in 2021 and will use this spring's practices to see who is ready to step up this year.

UTC expects to continue progress Lamont Paris made with men’s basketball program

Lamont Paris did not have the full picture of what he was walking into when he took over as UTC men's basketball coach in April 2017, but the former Wisconsin assistant would quickly find out.

By Gene Henley March 24, 2022

Staff photo / UTC men's basketball coach Lamont Paris watches as the Mocs host The Citadel on Jan. 22, 2020. After five seasons at UTC, Paris is taking over at South Carolina, a move approved by that university's board of trustees on Thursday.

Cole Strange could join Terrell Owens in elite NFL draft company for Mocs

Cole Strange could be weeks away from making University of Tennessee at Chattanooga history when it comes to the NFL draft.

By David Paschall March 23, 2022

AP photo by Charlie Neibergall / Former UTC offensive lineman Cole Strange runs the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine on March 4 in Indianapolis. ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper said Wednesday he expects Strange to be selected in the third or fourth round of the NFL draft next month. UTC has never had a player selected in the first or second round, and just one in the third round, receiver Terrell Owens in 1996.

UTC men denied NCAA tourney upset of Illinois after leading most of game

The UTC men's basketball team couldn't have come much closer to moving on in the NCAA tournament Friday night. Instead, a last-minute surge by Illinois ensured the Mocs' drought since their most recent March Madness win in 1997 goes on.

By Gene Henley March 18, 2022

AP photo by Keith Srakocic / UTC's Josh Ayeni dunks during an NCAA tournament first-round game against Illinois on Friday in Pittsburgh.

Mocs’ David-Jean Baptiste’s big moment shines in Haiti

Last week, David Jean-Baptiste mentally went back to that train station bench in Golden Glades, Florida.

By Gene Henley March 17, 2022

AP photo by Keith Srakocic / UTC's David Jean-Baptiste smiles as he tosses a ball to a teammate during the Mocs' NCAA tournament practice Thursday in Pittsburgh. UTC (27-7), the South Region's No. 14 seed, faces fourth-seeded Illinois (22-9) Friday night in the opening round.

At UTC, transfers found common ground in championship goal

For so many on the current UTC men's basketball roster, the Scenic City wasn't the initial destination for their college basketball journeys.

By Gene Henley March 16, 2022

Staff photo by Robin Rudd / UTC coach Lamont Paris instructs Silvio De Sousa during a Nov. 27 game against College of Charleston at McKenzie Arena. De Sousa is among the many players on this year's UTC roster who began their college basketball career somewhere else before transferring to join the Mocs.

UTC men receive No. 13 seed for NCAA tourney, will face Illinois in Pittsburgh

Not long after joining the UTC men's basketball program, Silvio De Sousa was having a conversation with some of his new teammates about the possibility of playing in the NCAA tournament.

By Gene Henley March 13, 2022

Staff photo by Matt Hamilton / Members of the UTC men's basketball team react Sunday night at McKenzie Arena as their NCAA tournament bracket position is announced. UTC hosted a selection show watch party with fans in the venue.

UTC’s Darius Banks happily traded points for wins after joining Mocs

Darius Banks stood on the Harrah's Cherokee Center basketball court in Asheville, North Carolina, rocking some sunglasses and an elation that went beyond being part of an overtime victory in the SoCon championship game Monday night.

By Gene Henley March 12, 2022

AP photo by Kathy Kmonicek / UTC forward Darius Banks looks to pass as Furman guard Conley Garrison defends during Monday night's SoCon tournament title game in Asheville, N.C. The Mocs won in overtime to secure the program's first NCAA tournament bid since 2016, and Sunday night they'll learn their seed, opponent and destination for the 68-team event.

UTC big man Avery Diggs another important piece of Mocs’ championship puzzle

UTC men's basketball coach Lamont Paris apparently favored a bold and direct approach when it came to recruiting Avery Diggs last year.

By Gene Henley March 11, 2022

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