Editor’s note: This is the second in a three-part series on significant factors impacting Bearden students’ college choices. The first installment was on the construction of newer, nicer dorms, and the final will be on how weather and location affect student thinking.
Bearden has a long tradition of sending elite athletes to play at the college level, but the vast majority of students know their formal sports’ careers end after they graduate.
But that doesn’t mean that sports can’t still play at least a minor role in the college selection process.
Many Bearden students grew up cheering on Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, or Kentucky, just to name a few. As younger children, they may have a dream school based on something like sports, but as people get older, they start choosing colleges for more significant reasons. However, the success of a university’s athletics department can still tip the balance between choosing one college rather than another.
UT Knoxville remains the most popular choice for Bearden graduates, and the Vols’ recent success in a wide variety of sports certainly hasn’t hurt. Many Bearden students in the past few years have been even more inclined to stay home on Rocky Top because of the sports teams.
Senior Andrew Lemons will attend Tennessee in the fall, and he said sports have been important to his childhood growing up in Knoxville and have had an impact on his college decision.
“Sports have always been a big part of my life and my family’s life, so it had a little more influence on me going to a school where they are so competitive and good at most sports,” he said.
Senior Mya Thurston will join Lemons at UT and is looking forward to the fact that she’ll finally be a student and not just a fan.
“When I was looking for a college, I wanted to be able to have a good education but also be surrounded by a good atmosphere,” she said. “Tennessee is known for their amazing sports and culture when it comes to all the sports teams, and as I go to games as a fan right now, it’s exciting to think it will be as a student next year.”
Many Bearden students who grew up in Knoxville are leaving behind their hometown, but they’ll be much closer to the teams they’ve supported for years.
Senior Logan Benko had a hard time during his college journey choosing a college he wanted to go to. He was between Ohio State – both Benko’s grandparents and parents are Buckeyes – or staying home and going to Tennessee.
“I’m potentially looking at going to Ohio State over the University of Tennessee,” Benko said. “It definitely helps that Ohio State won [the 2024 national championship in football]. It would be very fun to go to football games and experience the winning tradition that they have.”
ETSU in Johnson City has gained popularity amongst Bearden students in recent years, mainly for its medical school and opportunities in the surrounding hospitals.
Senior Jaxson Davis chose ETSU mainly for its educational values, but is also excited about becoming a big fan of the football program. He’s particularly looking forward to seeing how former Michigan and Iowa quarterback Cade McNamara settles in as a new Buccaneer in 2025.
“My main reason I chose ETSU was for the medical program they have there, and also it’s relatively less expensive than other big universities,” he said. “Overall, sports doesn’t really have that big of an impact on my decision, but I’m excited to see the new quarterback that transferred in from Iowa and see how he can help transform the football program.”
Senior Sammy Greene, who just became a Bulldog this year, is going to Notre Dame. His primary factor in choosing a college was academics because he hopes to be successful within the medical field.
“Academics was the biggest factor with choosing a college just for me because my parents always taught me to strive high, and I wanted to be a doctor,” he said. “But I also wanted the sport aspect, making Notre Dame the best fit for me.”
Greene is a senior on the Bearden baseball team.
“I’m looking forward to seeing football the most at Notre Dame because those games are always fun to go to,” he said, “and I hope to become a manager for the baseball or hockey team because those are my favorite sports and I want to be around the game.”
Senior Alexa Cangey wanted a new start outside of Knoxville, but still wanted to stay somewhat close to home. She chose UTC for the fact that it offers meeting new people, being in a new town, and new exciting events offered by the campus.
Cangey also wanted to go to a college that prided itself on school spirit, and she’s looking forward to the idea of attending the football and basketball games.
“The energy around the Mocs’ games – especially football and basketball – seems like a great way to connect with the campus community and show school spirit,” she said. “I’m excited to be part of the atmosphere, whether it’s cheering from the stands, enjoying the tailgates and campus events around the games.”
Dominic Mahoney looks forward to the aspect of Chattanooga being a “Mini Knoxville” but with the opportunity to meet more new people. Mahoney played basketball for Bearden all four years of his high school career, so naturally Mahoney looked for a college with a good basketball team.
“The basketball team is really good, it’s a good distance from home, a very beautiful campus and I don’t have to drive a lot,” he said.
Being a sports fan obviously isn’t the main factor in Bearden students’ college selection, but it does have at least a little sway. When taking a break from academics, sports give many Bearden students something to look forward to during the school year.