Tennessee More Than Just a Name

October 6, 2005

Weatherford, OK - Spectators at Southwestern Oklahoma State volleyball matches may not be overly familiar with the sport, its rules, or strategy but one player certainly may have a head start pushing the sport into a bigger stage.

Tennessee Brown, the player with a strange name, brighter smile and a virtuous voice easily stands out on the Bulldogs’ 18-player roster. She quickly has emerged as a favorite of both fans and teammates with her energetic approach and her ability to generate excitement on the court.

Named by her mother after her great, great aunt, Tennessee has long answered quizzical inquiries about her name’s origin as well as being the target of some good-natured taunts from opposing fans.

“Everyone seems to think it’s not my real name,” Brown said. “Some people will go by singing Rocky Top. Others will just yell out random names of states while I’m playing.”

Growing up in tiny Peaster, Texas, Brown and her two older sisters (Baylor and Jessica) are the daughters Marvin and Kathy Brown. The close-knit family grew together through church activities where Marvin was a preacher at the Silver Creek Baptist Church in Azle, Texas.

The youngest Brown showed quite a bit of promise with her vocal talents and became a fixture at community events, church pageants and other activities to showcase her soaring voice.

Brown, who has similar singing talent as the contestants on popular television show American Idol, is satisfied for now singing the Star Spangled Banner before SWOSU games.

“It’s (American Idol) always something I’ve thought about, but I’m afraid Simon (Cowell) would rip me a new one,” she laughed.

In high school, the six-foot Brown starred on the school’s basketball team, earning all-district honors in back-to-back years. Her basketball-playing days ended when she tore her knee ligaments during the final game of her senior year.

“I was more comfortable trying to play volleyball than basketball,” Brown said. “In volleyball, there is no outside interference and you don’t have to worry about player’s crashing into you. You have more control of what happens.”

After initially being recruited to play volleyball by Texas Woman’s University, Brown opted for Clarendon College who at the time was under the direction of coach Bo Pagliasotti.

At Clarendon, Brown instantly became one of the team’s top offensive players and helped her squad to a winning record and a berth in the playoffs.

Clarendon’s success resulted in Pagliasotti taking the job at SWOSU as the school’s first-ever volleyball coach in January.

Brown learned of her coach’s decision with a phone call to her home and in the same breath was invited to follow to SWOSU.

Brown and three of her Clarendon teammates -- Paula Harry, Kasandra Gurtner and Amanda Ortega -- each agreed to continue their playing under Pagliasotti at SWOSU where the group has formed a unique bond.

“I think its helped with our team’s composure,” Brown said. “Since we’re so young, the ones that have college experience are often looked at to explain what we need to do.”

So for now, Brown will continue to lend her talents both vocally and athletically as the Bulldogs grow the popularity of their sport to a much appreciative campus and community.