Tennessee honors late journalist Wes Rucker with vacant spot in press box
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Tennessee fans — and SEC fans in general — were rocked by the death of journalist Wes Rucker in February. Rucker, whose wife was expecting their second child, was the victim of a car accident on Interstate 40 near Knoxville.
Saturdays at Neyland Stadium, or “General Neyland’s Big Ol’ Damn House of Football,” as Rucker called it, are going to feel much different from here on out without Rucker on hand. But the Volunteers’ gameday staff will do its part in ensuring his memory lives on. His spot in the press box will remain reserved and unoccupied, with a photo of him placed where he usually sat.
According to the Knoxville News, Tennessee will host a private dedication before the Volunteers’ season-opening game against Furman on Saturday. Rucker’s wife, Lauren, their two young children, and several journalists will be there.
Lauren Rucker posted a tribute to her husband on social media on Friday, which would have been Wes Rucker’s 44th birthday:
Rucker was well-loved by his colleagues. Tennessee fans, although they didn’t always agree with him, enjoyed his work with the team over the past couple of decades. Without him in the Neyland Stadium press box, game days at Rocky Top won’t quite feel the same.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
