Business community warmly embraces Lady Vols Coach Holly Warlick at festive reception

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The Knoxville business community gave new Lady Vols Basketball Coach Holly Warlick and her staff a warm reception last week at a well attended cocktail party at the Knoxville Convention Center. In return, Warlick made three commitments that surely gave the business folks comfort:

  • “We are going to continue to have a 100 percent graduation rate,” Warlick said during her brief remarks. “When these girls leave our program, they are going to be able to support themselves. If they get a husband, that will be a bonus!”
  • “We are going to put a quality product on the court,” Warlick said. “We will have the best players in the country.”
  • “We are going to represent Tennessee with class,” she concluded.

Jim Haslam, the founder and chairman of Pilot Flying J and one of the hosts of the reception, said afterwards the he has a lot of confidence that Warlick will be able to pick up where coaching legend Pat Summitt left off. “She is prepared for this job,” Haslam said. “I think she is the perfect fit.”

In addition to Pilot Flying J, the party was sponsored by First Tennessee Bank, the News Sentinel and University of Tennessee Medical Center. More than 200 guests went through a receiving line to greet Warlick and the hosts and later they noshed on such appropriately named delicacies as “Nothin’ But Net chicken and waffles,” “Post Position potato skins,” and “Dunkin’ Desserts.” The unique centerpieces featuring orange and blue flowers were by Samuel Franklin and the very impressive sound and lighting were by the Convention Center’s new vendor, M&M Productions. Moxley Carmichael was happy to have been asked to coordinate the event.

Here are some photos from the evening.

Warlick, left, listens as Jim Haslam introduces the other sponsors, from right, Norman Majors of UT Medical Center, Patrick Birmingham of the News Sentinel, and Pam Fansler of First Tennessee Bank.

Warlick, left, listens as Jim Haslam introduces the other sponsors, from right, Norman Majors of UT Medical Center, Patrick Birmingham of the News Sentinel, and Pam Fansler of First Tennessee Bank.

Warlick poses with Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett

Warlick poses with Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett

M&M Productions did an excellent job with the lighting.

M&M Productions did an excellent job with the lighting.

Warlick with Terry and Tank Strickland

Warlick with Terry and Tank Strickland

The theme of the evening was " the passing of the whistle," and this page from the News Sentinel was on display.

The theme of the evening was " the passing of the whistle," and this page from the News Sentinel was on display.

Lady Vols' colors, orange and blue, were everywhere.

Lady Vols' colors, orange and blue, were everywhere.

I loved these whistles in the flower arrangements!

I loved these whistles in the flower arrangements!

Staffing the check-in table were Moxley Carmichael account executive Lauren Christ, standing, and interns, from left, Julia Gardial, Andrew Tanker, and Katheen Carlson.

Staffing the check-in table were Moxley Carmichael account executive Lauren Christ, standing, and interns, from left, Julia Gardial, Andrew Tanker, and Kathleen Carlson.

From left, Pam and UT Athletic Director Dave Hart, Warlick and Jim Haslam.

From left, Pam and UT Athletic Director Dave Hart, Warlick and Jim Haslam.

From left, Carolyn Jensen, former UT Women's Athletic Director Joan Cronan, Bob Griffitts of Congressman Jimmy Duncan's office, and Margaret Dye

From left, Carolyn Jensen, former UT Women's Athletic Director Joan Cronan, Bob Griffitts of Congressman Jimmy Duncan's office, and Margaret Dye

Warlick with UT President Joseph DiPietro and his wife, Deb

Warlick with UT President Joseph DiPietro and his wife, Deb

From left, Gay Lyons, City Councilman Marshall Stair, former Knoxville mayor Randy Tyree and Dr. Robert Harvey

From left, Gay Lyons, City Councilman Marshall Stair, former Knoxville mayor Randy Tyree and Dr. Robert Harvey

From left, Nick Cazana, U.S. Judge Tom Varlan, and Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch.

From left, Nick Cazana, U.S. Judge Tom Varlan, and Knoxville Police Chief David Rausch.

Loved the centerpieces!

Loved the centerpieces!

Here's another.

Here's another.

Chef Chris Moore is demonstrating how to make the waffles in his fun and delicious chicken and waffles dish.

Chef Chris Moore is demonstrating how to make the waffles in his fun and delicious chicken and waffles dish.

Ha!

Ha!

And here they are.

And here they are.

Jim Haslam during his remarks

Jim Haslam during his remarks

Holly Warlick making a point.

Holly Warlick making a point.

Her speech was short but right on target.

Her speech was short but right on target.

Warlick called her staff to the stage. From right, Jolette Law, Kyra Elzy and Dean Lockwood

Warlick called her staff to the stage. From right, Jolette Law, Kyra Elzy and Dean Lockwood

Crowd paying close attention.

Crowd paying close attention.

And liking what they were hearing.

And liking what they were hearing.

Warlick took time out after her remarks to give a live TV interview to WATE sports director Jim Wogan.

Warlick took time out after her remarks to give a live TV interview to WATE sports director Jim Wogan.

Jim Haslam and Holly Warlick

Jim Haslam and Holly Warlick

Tim Young, left, with Gay and Bill Lyons

Tim Young, left, with Gay and Bill Lyons

News Sentinel photographer Saul Young, left, gets a fist bump from Mayor Tim Burchett.

News Sentinel photographer Saul Young, left, gets a fist bump from Mayor Tim Burchett.

Get a load of these desserts: banana caramel pudding trifles.

Get a load of these desserts: banana caramel pudding trifles.

Yep!

Yep!

Mini chocolate lava cakes

Mini chocolate lava cakes

Leigh White and Gene Rump

Leigh White of WBIR-TV and her husband, Gene Rump

Mike Charland and Mary Bogert

Mike Charland and Mary Bogert

Tom and Danni Varlan with Keith Goodwin, center

Tom and Danni Varlan with Keith Goodwin, center

From left, Betsy Roberts, Fran Warlick (Holly's mother), Marion Warlick Ferrill (her sister) and Jackie Lane

From left, Betsy Roberts, Fran Warlick (Holly's mother), Marion Warlick Ferrill (her sister) and Jackie Lane

Wonder what Danni Varlan said to Holly Warlick!

Wonder what Danni Varlan said to Holly Warlick in the receiving line!

Warlick greets Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Maestro Lucas Richman and his wife, Debbie.

Warlick greets Knoxville Symphony Orchestra Maestro Lucas Richman and his wife, Debbie.

Bill Lyons, right, and Tom Varlan go through the receiving line.

Bill Lyons, right, and Tom Varlan go through the receiving line.

Warlick poses with, from left, Jeff, Hannah and Ramona Dew.

Warlick poses with, from left, Jeff, Hannah and Ramona Dew.

Jim Haslam gives a hug to Warlick's mother, Fran.

Jim Haslam gives a hug to Warlick's mother, Fran.

State Sen. Becky Massey, left, with Moxley Carmichael staffers Shaun Fulco, center, and Amanda Shell

State Sen. Becky Massey, left, with Moxley Carmichael staffers Shaun Fulco, center, and Amanda Shell

Tank and Terry Strickland with Mayor Tim Burchett

Tank and Terry Strickland with Mayor Tim Burchett

Rusty and Beverly Farrell pose with Jolette Law, center.

Rusty and Beverly Farrell pose with Jolette Law, center.

Bob Griffitts, left, with Moxley Carmichael's creative director, Charley Sexton

Bob Griffitts, left, with Moxley Carmichael's creative director, Charley Sexton

Part of the memorabilia display included the Olympic torch Warlick got as a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic basketball team.

Part of the memorabilia display included the Olympic torch Warlick got as a member of the 1980 U.S. Olympic basketball team.

And the SEC tournamen trophy and part of the net from this year's Lady Vols season.

And the SEC tournament trophy and part of the game net from this year's Lady Vols championship.

This is Warlick's neighbor, Jean Burger.

This is Warlick's neighbor, Jean Burger.

County Commissioner Dave Wright, left, with his wife, Pat, and Jim Haslam

County Commissioner Dave Wright, left, with his wife, Pat, and Jim Haslam

Joan Cronan, left, and Dara Worrell

Joan Cronan, left, and Dara Worrell

Former Knoxville Vice Mayor Joe Bailey with daughters Sloan, left, and Reagan: adorable.

Former Knoxville Vice Mayor Joe Bailey with daughters Sloane, left, and Reagan: adorable.

From left, John Winemiller, Brad Brittian, Lucas and Debbie Richman

From left, John Winemiller, Brad Brittian, Lucas and Debbie Richman

Jon Roach, left, with Alan Carmichael and Ellen Robinson

Jon Roach, left, with Alan Carmichael and Ellen Robinson

Keith and Hollianne Carver, left, with Lynne and Dr. Walter Fain

Keith and Hollianne Carver, left, with Lynne and Dr. Walter Fain

Former City Councilman Larry Cox, left, with Knox County Commissioner Ed Shouse

Former City Councilman Larry Cox, left, with Knox County Commissioner Ed Shouse

From left, Regina Dean, Becky Hancock, Rober Elder and Lucas and Debbie Richman

From left, Regina Dean, Becky Hancock, Robert Elder and Lucas and Debbie Richman

Pace and Karen Robinson, with their nephew, Nate, at left.

Pace and Karen Robinson, with their nephew, Nate, at left.

Rick and Pennie Rushing

Rick and Pennie Rushing

Mayor Tim Burchett, left, and Dino Cartwright of WVLT-TV.

Mayor Tim Burchett, left, and Dino Cartwright of WVLT-TV.

Mike Charland and Kim Beets

Mike Charland and Kim Beets

Bob Whetsel, right, with Judge Tom Varlan

Bob Whetsel, right, with Judge Tom Varlan

From left, Margie Nichols, UT-Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, Jim Haslam, Warlick, and John Gill

From left, Margie Nichols, UT-Knoxville Chancellor Jimmy Cheek, Jim Haslam, Warlick, and John Gill

From left, Mark Miller, Lynn Liddington and Teresa Beason

From left, Mark Miller, Lynn Liddington and Teresa Beason

Morton Massey, left, and Jason Swisher

Morton Massey, left, and Jason Swisher

Peyton Hairston, left, and John Gill

Peyton Hairston, left, and John Gill

Randy Jenkins, left, and Moxley Carmichael's Scott Bird

Randy Jenkins, left, and Moxley Carmichael's Scott Bird

George Regas, left, Janet Crossley and Bill Regas

George Regas, left, Janet Crossley and Bill Regas

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9 Responses to Business community warmly embraces Lady Vols Coach Holly Warlick at festive reception

  1. Lauren Christ, on June 28th, 2012 at 5:00 pm said:

    Holly is setting the standard for one of her top goals as she continues to represent UT with class. I really enjoyed her speech, and it was a fun event. I just wish I had a mini chocolate lava cake right now…

  2. Becky Hancock, on June 28th, 2012 at 5:10 pm said:

    Holly has a warmth and wit about her that is revealing itself as she steps into the head coaching role. I was honored to meet her and can’t wait to see the Lady Vols get back out on the court! Glad I was able to attend.

  3. Cynthia Moxley, on June 28th, 2012 at 5:14 pm said:

    So glad to see you there, Becky.

  4. Saul Young, on June 29th, 2012 at 2:48 pm said:

    My arm looks so muscular. I should have you take my photograph more often.

  5. Rusha Sams, on June 29th, 2012 at 4:15 pm said:

    So proud of former student, Holly Warlick — a Bearden grad making a difference! She will be great for the players — on and off the court!

  6. Cynthia Moxley, on June 30th, 2012 at 3:51 am said:

    Saul: You are cracking me up! Rusha: Wow! Didn’t know that! Awesome.

  7. Mickey Mallonee, on June 30th, 2012 at 11:16 am said:

    Holly Warlick replacing Pat Summitt…can it get any better than this. I think not!!

  8. Cynthia Moxley, on June 30th, 2012 at 3:09 pm said:

    So true, Mickey!

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