July 26, 2003

CHATTANOOGA, TN.---UTC kicked off the 2003 football season and its 100th year of football Thursday with a celebration at T-Bones Cafe in Chattanooga.

Athletics Director Steve Sloan and Head Coach Rodney Allison unveiled the school's Century of Football logo which will be used this season. Seniors James Clark and Blake Kirkland also modeled the team's new uniforms at the event, which was sponsored by UTC Alumni.

The uniforms use more of the color white in the blue and gold color scheme, and the jerseys have the word Chattanooga emblazoned across the front. The gold pants have a wide navy blue stripe down the sides, as opposed to the two-stripe version from last year's pants. A single blue stripe down the center of the gold helmet matches the stripe on the pants.

This year marks the 100th year of football at the University, and UTC and the community will hold a season-long celebration commemorating the occasion.

The University kicked off intercollegiate competition in the sport of football with its first official game, Oct. 29, 1904.

The Century of Football celebration has several events planned throughout the season. The Century of Football Gala will be held Sept. 12 in the Chattanooga Choo Choo Ball Room. A special dinner and program is open to the public, and the UC/UTC All-Century Football Team will be presented.

The All-Century Team will be selected from fans’ nominations and will consist of 11 offensive players, 11 defensive players, a punter, a place kicker, a return man and a head coach.

A special commemorative ticket will be produced, and an exclusive exhibit on the history of Chattanooga Football will be on display from August through December at the Chattanooga Regional History Museum. There are also plans for every available former football player and coach to return to campus and join each other on the Finley Stadium field for the Homecoming Game, Oct. 4 against Wofford.

The University greatly anticipates this season’s Century of Football celebration and expresses sincere gratitude for the players, coaches and staff who have provided the legends, lore and memories of the first 100 years of Mocs Football.