Sailgating with The VOL Navy
Submitted by HarbormasTer on Wed, 06/23/2010 - 10:15pm
Football weekends in Knoxville are always filled with the sights, sounds and scents that rekindle spirits and evoke perpetual optimism. For Kevin Jeske & Andrew Polyak, VOL Navy, football weekends actually begin on Wednesday when the huge armada of cruisers, sailboats, houseboats & luxurious yachts begin to amass at the docks adjacent to Neyland Stadium on the Tennessee River. No “official” membership, permit, or reservation is required. These vessels just arrive and tie up to one another in rows extending from the dock - sometimes as far as 14 wide. And if you happen to occupy the first boat in a row, you have the privilege of serving as the “portal” to all the other boats in your row.
Aside from stylish orange & white attire, other familiar sights & sounds include the continuous arrival of boats, fond embraces & cheerful dialogue among good friends, lively music, TVs tuned to other gridiron action, onboard poker games and the constant flow of fervent fans proceeding toward the stadium. The pre-game anticipation and post-game jubilation following a win are beyond words. And there is certainly no shortage of food & beverage either! The mouthwatering scents of grilled steaks, burgers & chicken, smoked barbecue and tasty seafood recipes reveal a potpourri of delicious food options to complement the seemingly endless variety of blended cocktails that abound.
Recently, the U.S. Navy joined forces with the VOL Navy for Knoxville Navy Week. Said Lt. Commander Kevin West, “You can't separate Knoxville from Big Orange Football, so we knew if we wanted to bring the U.S. Navy to the people of Knoxville, we needed to meet them at the VOL Navy.” On the eve of the home opener, a reception was held for 3-Star Vice Admiral Harry B. Harris, Jr. aboard The “KokOasis”. The next day, the Navy Freedom Rock Band performed at the VOL Navy docks to the delight of thousands who passed by on their way to the game.
For information about the VOL Navy Boaters’ Association visit: www.VolNavyBoaters.com
