Rusty Wright is preparing for his eighth season as head coach of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football program, and when he sees the improvements that have been made to the school’s athletic facilities over the years, he is doubly proud.
Not just as the leader of the program, but as a UTC alumnus.
The former tight end remembers those long walks to Scrappy Moore Field in the 1990s for football practice. It’s still a lengthy walk, but with a much nicer view overlooking the Tennessee River, it has come a long way.
Wright realized he wanted other UTC football alumni to see the improvements and the investments that have been made, so a couple of years ago, he started hosting a “Back to Camp” day for former Mocs to see the progress of both the university and the program itself during training camp.
The Mocs, who are a week and a half into official practices as they work toward their Aug. 27 opener at West Georgia, are coming off a 5-7 season that — for the second year in a row — ended short of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs. But they’re excited about the steps they’ve been able to make this offseason, physically and otherwise, and Saturday will give them the opportunity to show some special guests.