UTC football coach Tom Arth and defensive back Kareem Orr enjoyed meeting fans Sunday at the Chattanooga Market.As he posed for a picture with young University of Tennessee at Chattanooga football fan Carter Roberts on Sunday afternoon, it was tough to decide who had the bigger smile - senior defensive back Kareem Orr or the 8-year-old Roberts.
"This is a great feeling," said Orr, the former Notre Dame High School standout who transferred home to UTC after beginning his collegiate career at Arizona State. "It's very humbling. It's great to give back something to the community."
The entire UTC athletic department, or at least every Mocs team save women's soccer - which was rolling to a 3-0 win at Georgia Southern - gave fans a chance to interact up close and personal Sunday at the Chattanooga Market with its annual Meet the Mocs at the Market event at the First Tennessee Pavilion. That's right next to Finley Stadium, where UTC's football season will open Aug. 30 against Tennessee Tech.
And if Orr posing with Roberts was a little more personal, there was a good reason for that. Roberts' grandmother, Vivian Stone, is Notre Dame's director for guidance and counseling.
"She did so much for me," Orr said. "Getting to see her this afternoon was the highlight of my day."
Thanks in part to earlier instructions from second-year coach Tom Arth, most of the football Mocs were well aware of the impact their interaction with youngsters such as Roberts could have on those kids' future view of college athletes.
"It's a huge responsibility," said redshirt junior Malcolm White, an offensive lineman who's conservatively listed at 6-foot-6, 305 pounds on the Mocs' roster. "I was once that little kid with dreams of playing Division I college football. You want to encourage them to continue to pursue that dream."
At least one Moc could encourage a young person to follow a far different dream, such as pursuing a music scholarship.
"I was first-chair trumpet in my high school band," said defensive lineman Isaiah Mack as he recalled his years at Northwest Whitfield. "I used to come here (Finley Stadium) for the battle of the bands."
Added Mack before returning to his autograph duties: "This is fun in every aspect. We're trying to be a hero in their lives."
Our children need all the positive, responsible heroes they can get. And UTC needs all the fans it can find to fill Finley to a greater degree than it's been filled of late. Having all of the school's athletic teams meet and mingle with as many people as possible at the Chattanooga Market can't hurt.
"I'm going to meet with (the athletes) Tuesday about what it means to be a Moc," said athletic director Mark Wharton, who will celebrate his one-year anniversary on the job Wednesday. "But what we do here today is immensely important. We need to do a better job of getting into the community."
Judging by Sunday's crowd, that community stretches far beyond Hamilton County. Young Jamison Hinton came over the Georgia border - where he attends Cherokee Ridge Elementary in Walker County - to hang out with older brother Ian Hayes, a junior linebacker and former Ridgeland High School star. Much like Carter Roberts, when Hinton was asked his favorite Moc other than Hayes, he answered, "Kareem Orr."
Then there was 12-year-old Braxton Arthur, who's beginning the seventh grade at Lake Forest Middle School in nearby Cleveland. Befitting someone who lives in Bradley County, his favorite Moc is quarterback Cole Copeland, the former Bradley Central standout who's suspended for the season. With Arthur's sister Tori a member of the UTC dance squad, though, he really likes all of the players.
"Just being able to meet them all," he said when asked his favorite part of the afternoon. "It was amazing."
Some folks probably thought Arth's surprisingly full beard was the most amazing part of the afternoon.
"It's my preseason beard," he said of the two-to-three-week growth. "I only get to grow it a couple of times of year - during fall camp and when I'm on vacation."
Asked if this was a style statement or an aversion to shaving, Arth was instant in his reply.
"I really dislike shaving. There are few responsibilities more tortuous than that," he said.
Yet no one should expect those dark whiskers to still be growing when the Mocs kick off a week from Thursday. At least they shouldn't if he listens to his 12-year-old daughter Caroline.
Upon playfully asking her if he should keep it or shave it, she was emphatic: "Shave it."
As all the football Mocs were wrapping up their autograph session, Orr's photo mate Roberts was asked what position he played.
Though he isn't involved in organized ball just yet, the second grader at Our Lady of Perpetual Help said, "I can't wait until fifth grade to play football."
Or until eight years after that to realize a dream of playing Division I football for the Mocs.
Contact Mark Wiedmer at mwiedmer@timesfreepress.com.