The Tennessee sports landscape — as well as the SEC and college sports as a whole — suffered a tragic loss when longtime Volunteers beat writer Wes Rucker passed away on Thursday. Rucker, 43, was killed in a car accident after wrapping up the Thursday edition of 10 at 3 with Wes Rucker.
Tributes from across the country poured in on social media once news of Rucker’s passing became public. On Friday, Tennessee basketball head coach Rick Barnes offered condolences of his own before starting his press conference.
“We lost a friend and a colleague yesterday in Wes Rucker. Just heartbreaking. It really is, it’s just heartbreaking,” Barnes said. “Our hearts and prayers go out to Lauren, his son, Hank, and the [baby] that’s on the way. We just ask that God will place a holy hedge of protection around his family.”
“Wes was a wonderful person… covered athletics here for a quarter of a century. Such a part of the UT family and sports family here in Knoxville,” Barnes continued. “We’re gonna miss him dearly. He loved what he did. He loved his family. I’m just thankful that God allowed him to be part of my life for the last 11 years.”
It’s safe to say Barnes will take the court at Vanderbilt on Saturday with Rucker on his heart and mind. The Volunteers and Commodores tip off at 2:00 p.m. E.T. (ESPN).
