Dan Fleser
With the most anticipated part of this Tennessee women’s basketball season at hand, it’s been hard to not think about next season as well.
All-SEC forward Rickea Jackson announced on Monday that she will be returning for the extra season afforded her by the pandemic. Her timing was intended to minimize any distractions related to the Lady Vols’ NCAA tournament opener against Saint Louis on Saturday at Thompson-Boling Arena.
Oh well, it’s the thought that counts. Right?
For some fans, the news was received like hearing about a tournament upset. Jackson, the Lady Vols leading scorer, was projected as a top-five WNBA Draft pick this spring. Even the most optimistic among the Lady Vols faithful had to be somewhat surprised that she will be returning for 2023-24.
Jackson announced her intentions in a two-fold manner. There was a social media post in which she said: “I have been so happy during my time on Rocky Top. I am so grateful for my teammates and coaches and the endless bonds that I’ve created while being here. I appreciate all the support from our amazing fans for making this transition to the University of Tennessee so worth it.”
She also broke her news in a radio appearance with teammate Tamari Key, who got the forward thinking rolling by announcing last week that she also will be back. They appeared on Knoxville radio station The Sports Animal, specifically “The Erik Ainge Show.” In this forum, Jackson and Key both referenced the support that’s in place at Tennessee. The term no longer applies to merely the fans and the athletic department. It also alludes to NIL opportunities.
Key has been sidelined since early December after being diagnosed with blood clots on her lungs. She transitioned into a support role while recovering. Her promotional presence on behalf of the Booster Her Club and the Lady Vols apparel store “Orange Mountain Designs” didn’t change, however.
Key didn’t miss the opportunity afforded by the radio appearance.
“I’m really excited to get back on the court, get back to work,” she said, “and also being able to continue to work with the Lady Vol Boost Her Club.”
After a 10-year absence, the club was revived this season because of the name, image and likeness legislation. Terri Holder worked with the university’s compliance department to get the club’s new version running as a separate entity. Membership packages for fans range from $30 per month to $2,400 per year. The club stages events that promote interaction between athletes and fans.
Holder also runs Orange Mountain Designs and has signed several athletes to NIL deals. The store partnered with UT apparel store Alumni Hall last fall.
“Our combined resources and knowledge base will deliver a unique element to support Lady Vol fans, current Tennessee female student-athletes and women’s athletics,” Alumni Hall owner Jeff Goodfriend said.
The support factored into Jackson delaying her WNBA dream for a year and staging an impromptu promotion not only for this weekend but next season, too.
“Having that continued support by such a strong group of women means a lot because not everyone has that, not every program has that,” Jackson said. “To just know that I will always have that support behind me . . . it just means a lot. It puts my mind and heart at ease.”
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Dan Fleser is a 1980 graduate of the University of Missouri, who has covered University of Tennessee athletics since 1988. He is a 2022 inductee to the Tennessee Sportswriters Hall of Fame. He can be reached at danfleser3@gmail.com.