Gus Manning was a legendary figure for Tennessee. Now, Vols basketball is honoring the longtime administrator during Wednesday’s game.

Ahead of tip-off against No. 1 Alabama, Tennessee left a vacant chair with manning’s name on it. That chair was accompanied by a bouquet of roses for the matchup against the Crimson Tide.

Tennessee announced the passing of Charles A. “Gus” Manning on Monday at 99 years old. He spent close to 50 years in full-time service to Tennessee and kept an office at Thompson-Boling Arena until 2017.

“This is a tremendous loss,” longtime friend and former Tennessee football coach and administrator Phillip Fulmer said. “We’ve lost a major piece of Tennessee history. Gus Manning is an icon. His personality and humor made him a pleasure to be around. And his historical knowledge about all that makes Tennessee Athletics special was second-to-none. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

Coverage of Wednesday’s top-10 showdown between No. 10 Tennessee and No. 1 Alabama can be seen on ESPN2.