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A review of 2017 on the University of Tennessee's campus

2017 on campus at the University of Tennessee had its ups and downs, but ultimately, the passion of students and staff made for a year to remember.

It was a new year and a new chancellor for the University of Tennessee.

"The University of Tennessee is on a great path, and I'm here and excited to see that continue," Chancellor Beverly Davenport said.

But as with any new job, there are new challenges for Davenport.

Davenport's first challenge: finding and eventually hiring Athletics Director John Currie.

Currie came back to UT after working at Kansas State, and got started by reinstating the Lady Vols name.

"What I learned is that this topic isn't nearly as simple as I thought it might be," Currie said about the Lady Vols brand.

Next, Currie and Chancellor Davenport moved on to another challenge -- renovating Neyland Stadium.

"We're talking about fan amenities," Currie said.

In the fall, the University's board of trustees agreed to a multi-million dollar plan to upgrade the stadium.

"So we've got to create spaces like that so we can be responsive, accessible and hospitable for 21st century fans," Currie said.

But head football coach Butch Jones wouldn't get a chance to see the renovations through.

After the worst season in UT football history, Jones was gone.

"Between the injuries and whatever happened through the season, it looks like he lost the team," VFL Jeff Hall said.

Jones lost the team, and the ensuing coaching search lost Currie his job.

"Challenges require tough decisions, and today required one of those decisions," Davenport said.

Davenport decided to relieve Currie of his duties as athletics director.

"Our supporters have been passionate, they've been vocal, but they've steadfast in reminding us what makes this university in athletics an exceptional program," Davenport said.

That passion was displayed loudly and clearly on the Rock, which remained a sounding board for students throughout 2017.

Davenport hired new AD and Vols legend Phillip Fulmer, who in turn hired Jeremy Pruitt to coach the football team.

"I think everybody's pretty excited about what we see and what we know about Coach Pruitt," Hall said.

But it wasn't all about sports.

After a long debate, Chancellor Davenport made the decision to opt-out of a contract that would outsource facilities services jobs.

"This is a victory not only for our facilities services workers, but it's a victory for our community," said a protester.

Protests helped push that decision, and that was just the beginning of protests on and near campus.

"Everyone should stand together," said one confederate monument protestor.

"I'm opposed to all types of oppression," said another. "Especially minorities."

The Confederate monument on 17th Street in Knoxville brought a nation-wide discussion straight to UT's campus, with protesters on one side fighting to keep the monument and preserve history, and the other side fighting for less oppression and more inclusivity.

"There's been no fighting, no violence," said a protestor. "There may have been some screaming matches but that's about it."

That same energy lit up campus for the Today Show's Al Roker.

"We're all really excited to see him coming alone, but we're also excited to break a world record," said the student body president.

Rokerthon came to UT to break a world record.

"This smashed the record, it was almost by a thousand people," Roker said.

4,223 Vols created the largest human letter ever...a power T at Neyland Stadium.

"I love Al Roker, I've been a huge fan of the Today show, and I was just so excited to be a part of a Guinness World Record," said a participant.

An excitement that should carry into 2018 on campus at the University of Tennessee.

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