FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2025
Knoxville, Tennessee
Subject: Electrical Issues: Tennessee Vols Men’s Basketball Sends Letter of Complaint Concerning Lack of Energy Supply
The University of Tennessee Men’s Basketball Program has officially submitted a letter of complaint to university officials and the Tennessee Department of Energy regarding recurring electrical issues that have significantly affected their training and game-day performance. The complaint, sent on Tuesday, outlines concerns over energy disruptions that have plagued the Thompson-Boling Arena over the past two months.
In the letter, Head Coach Rick Barnes and Athletic Director Danny White expressed deep frustration with what they described as “an unacceptable lack of energy supply during key operational hours.” The letter further stated that repeated power outages and inconsistent energy flow have directly interfered with practices, physical therapy sessions, and in some cases, game preparations.
“Reliable power is not a luxury, it’s a necessity,” Coach Barnes said in an accompanying statement. “When the lights flicker or the system shuts down entirely, our players lose valuable time on the court, and the momentum we’ve worked hard to build gets disrupted.”
The Vols’ basketball staff detailed specific incidents in which power failures forced the cancellation of scheduled workouts and temporarily shut down the video analysis suite. These disruptions have hindered strategic preparations ahead of the SEC tournament, raising concerns about player safety and performance quality.
According to the letter, several student-athletes have also reported challenges in completing rehabilitation sessions due to temperature fluctuations caused by energy instability. This has sparked additional concerns from team medical staff over the long-term health impacts on recovering athletes.
Athletic Director Danny White emphasized the university’s responsibility to ensure that its facilities meet the standards expected by athletes, fans, and the NCAA alike. “This is not just a basketball issue—this is a university infrastructure issue that reflects on our commitment to excellence,” White stated.
The university’s facilities management department has acknowledged receipt of the complaint and has initiated a review of recent electrical logs. A spokesperson from the department noted that preliminary investigations suggest aging infrastructure may be at fault, compounded by increased energy demands this season.
Fans and stakeholders have voiced support for the Vols, with many taking to social media to call for immediate upgrades to ensure consistent power delivery. Some alumni have even pledged donations toward facility improvements, citing pride in the program and concern for student-athlete welfare.
The Tennessee Department of Energy confirmed it will conduct a site inspection next week and collaborate with campus officials to assess the extent of the energy deficiencies. “We understand the urgency and are committed to resolving this matter promptly,” a department representative stated.
As the Vols continue their postseason campaign, the basketball program remains focused on pushing forward despite infrastructural hurdles. The team hopes the letter of complaint serves as a catalyst for much-needed change, ensuring that future Vols never face the same challenges.
Media Contact:
Jessica Harper
Communications Director
Tennessee Athletic