Sara Mitchell 
The annual Southeastern Conference Basketball Media Days was held in Charlotte, North Carolina for a preview of the 2015-2016 men’s and women’s basketball teams.
Video courtesy of WVLT.
SEC Media Days
Lady Vols Basharra Graves and Jordan Reynolds
SEC Basketball Media Days
Charlotte, NC
Lady Vols Basharra Graves and Jordan Reynolds
SEC Basketball Media Days
Charlotte, NC
Lady Vol Basharra Graves
SEC Basketball Media Days
Charlotte, NC
Lady Vol Coach Holly Warlick
SEC Basketball Media Days
Charlotte, NC
SEC Basketball Media Days
Charlotte, NC
SEC Basketball Media Days
Charlotte, NC
SEC Network headquarters, Charlotte, NC
October 10, 2015 was set for SEC Nation to preview the Tennessee-Georgia game from Knoxville. Friday afternoon before rehearsals, I had a chance to speak with SEC analysts Marcus Spears and Tim Tebow about the upcoming matchup.
Video courtesy of WVLT
Tim Tebow
SEC Analyst Marcus Spears
SEC Analyst Tim Tebow
The Sports Team from WVLT-Local 8 participated in Pilot Pumpers this year, pumping gas as community celebrities to help benefit United Way of Greater Knoxville.
Video from WVLT-Local 8.
Pilot Pumpers 2015
Pilot Pumpers 2015
Pumping gas for Pilot Pumpers
Live2BFit has taken me to classrooms, schools, and community groups all over the state of Tennessee. Last week, I was privileged to be part of the four-day training where I shared strategies to living a healthy lifestyle with a room of very important members of law enforcement. The annual Tennessee Corrections Institute Annual FTO Training Conference was held in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Between two sessions, I spoke to over 400 corrections officers about choosing to live a healthy lifestyle.
Speaker at the TN Corrections Institute Annual FTO Training Conference
Through my platform Live2BFit, we discussed two essential factors in obtaining a healthy lifestyle: nutrition and exercise. It was a pleasure to talk through options and suggestions of incorporating physical activity into the daily lives of a correctional officer. Pedometers were available to encourage the officers to calculate steps into their daily activity and to remind them of how minor adjustments can mean a lifelong improvement.
In addition to nutrition, we covered the basics of nutrition and eating properly when we are on the go. Each officer was able to study the nutrition label of a Gatorade nutrition bar and learn some of the most important items to look for when choosing or comparing products based on the nutritional information.
Incorporating good nutrition and physical activity, even for a correctional officer, is manageable. The ultimate benefits of a healthier lifestyle begin with a just a few extra steps!
Speaker at the TN Corrections Institute Annual FTO Training Conference
Thanks to Live2BFit partners:
Tennova Fitness for providing Pedometers
Andrew W. for providing ZenEvo chocolates
Gatorade nutrition and recovery bars
Speaker at the TN Corrections Institute Annual FTO Training Conference
Speaker at the TN Corrections Institute Annual FTO Training Conference
Talking Live2BFit at the TN Corrections Institute Annual FTO Training Conference
Speaker at the TN Corrections Institute Annual FTO Training Conference
Director Jerry Scott
Speaker at the TN Corrections Institute Annual FTO Training Conference
Speaker at the TN Corrections Institute Annual FTO Training Conference
With great excitement, I want to share that I am joining the WVLT-TV Sports Team. I am the new Sports Anchor and multimedia journalist for Knoxville’s CBS affiliate, which is the flagship station of the Tennessee Volunteers.
Master of Science 2015
As many know, I grew up in west Tennessee and it has certainly been an honor to report for the Vols these past four years. I am a two-time alum of the University of Tennessee and the beautiful hills of Knoxville will always be considered my home-away-from-home. I’m proud to have earned a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Recreation and Sport Management all while covering TN Athletics.
During my time at the University of Tennessee, I met so many of my Vol heroes and have memories and experiences that will truly last a lifetime.
I am forever grateful for my friends and teammates of VFL Films and The Vol Network.
Sara emceed the Partners in Sports Spring Reception. Guest speaker Hall of Fame Coach Phillip Fulmer
Link Hudson: Thank you for believing in me. I appreciate the chance you took when you allowed me to host the very first live coverage of UT’s National Signing Day. Your guidance and wisdom is untouched.
Barry Rice: Working with excellence is a dream for most; it was reality for me. Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to see some of the finest and most exciting video excellence in the world.
Steve Early: From Vol Calls with Bob Kesling and Brent Hubbs to the Kick Off Call In Show “Vol Navy Report” on game days, you have been an incredible source of motivation and guidance. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to intern with The Vol Network my senior year of college which launched many connections and a career.
Voice of the Vols Bob Kesling
Brandon Parks: Thank you for allowing me to gain valuable experience and memories from Saturdays in Neyland Stadium that are etched in my memory forever. Your unlimited direction and support are a blessing to me.
Sara Mitchell & Travis Dean
Travis Dean: The best Vol Report producer I could ask for! Not only did I learn fantastic tunes set to video and how to shoot football practice, I gained a lifelong friend.
Andy Jeffers: Encouragement goes a long way; constructive criticism goes even further. Thanks for always pushing me to improve and have spirit and energy no matter what.
Tom Githens: The standard to reach a successful broadcast has been set high because of you. Thanks for your leadership and laughter!
Trevor, Erik, Sam S., Daniel, Sam T.: Each of you have uniquely assisted me along the way, and I’m grateful to have shared countless events with you.
KNOXVILLE,TN – FEBRUARY 04, 2015 – inside of National Signing Day in Knoxville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Athletics
I could not continue on this journalism journey without the help of many individuals. I am grateful for the friendships and talent I met along the way; thank you! Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my family who has been a constant source of encouragement and motivation. I’m thankful for our “Mitchell Party of Six!”
Vol Nation, thanks for making this an enjoyable ride! I cannot wait to continue reporting and sharing the stories of East Tennessee athletics. The sports team at WVLT is exceptional, and I hope you’ll catch us on WVLT Local 8 in Knoxville or Local8Now.com.
Signing off for this last Vol Report, I’m Sara Mitchell.
VFL Jamal Lewis (RB 1997-2000)
Lady Vols Basketball Coach Holly Warlick
VFL Peyton Manning
VFL Condredge Holloway
Tennessee Spring Football Game 2013. Mack Brown, Neyland Award recipient.
Vol Football Head Coach Butch Jones and host Sara Mitchell
Voice of the Vols John Ward 1965 – 1998
UT Saturday with Smokey
Director of Player Personnel Bob Welton assists with the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge
Dr. Jerry Punch at Battle at Bristol announcement
Hand Digital Studio Dedication
Vol Report team: Sara Mitchell & Travis Dean
The new VolShop located in the University of Tennessee Student Union is now open!
Video by: UTK Campus Stores
A great day was designed to help women understand more about the positions, skills, and game of football in general: Butch & Barb’s Women’s Football 101!
It was my pleasure to host the event where over 650 Vol football-loving women gathered to learn a little more about the great sport of football. The best part is we were learning from a phenomenal group of coaches and their wives. Proceeds from this Women’s Football 101 benefited the UT Alliance of Women Philanthropists and the Tennessee football Personal Development program.
Hosted Butch & Barb’s Women’s Football 101
We were in for a treat with tours of the Anderson Training Center that included the training room, weight room, and the Peyton Manning locker room. The women later met in the team room where we had a Q&A session with Butch and Barb Jones and concluded with a reception in Neyland Stadium.
We laced up tennis shoes and took Haslam Practice Field for a simulated Volunteer practice, minus the cleats and pads. There were drills set up, led by their respective coaches and assistants.
Offensive coordinator Mike DeBord led the quarterback throw where I hit the bull’s eye! Thank goodness I took pointers from Quarterback Josh Dobbs during spring practice.
I got the nod from Running Backs coach Robert Gillespie as he taught us to “get low, eyes up, chin the ball” during the RB drill.
Over to the defensive side, Defensive Backs coach Willie Martinez put his wife, Kim, and me to the test with the shuffle drill.
At the double horn, everyone shuttled to Neyland Stadium for a time of refreshments and a final word from Coach Butch Jones on the Tennessee Terrace. The eruption of applause and excitement came as Coach Jones entered the room where he was greeted by Women’s Football 101 attendees plus their guests who joined for the reception. The discussion continued about the countdown until the season opener against Bowling Green in Nashville, the incredible impact Vol Nation has on Team 119, and the giddiness of Volunteer spirit as we approach fall camp and football chatter.
It was a privilege to host such an outstanding event where women from near and far came to learn about football, snap photos, and meet their favorite football coaches. It is truly “great to be a Tennessee Vol!”
Linebackers Coach Tommy Thigpen masters the selfie game
Linebackers drill led by Tommy Thigpen
Defensive Line coach Steve Stripling instructs the drive and tackle drill
Special Teams coach Mark Elder directs the ladies through a perfect kick.
Coach Jones closed Football 101 with a new chant…be on the lookout for a new #Vol cheer coming this fall!
Wide Receivers coach Zach Azzanni leads the “Catch Tuck Turn” (CTT) drill
Hosted Butch & Barb’s Women’s Football 101
As a sports journalist, oftentimes my office view changes: the practice field, the stadium, the court, the diamond, the editing lab, or the production booth. This past Friday, my office venue was a patio overlooking the pool at the condo where I was vacationing in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. Location does not limit sports talk! I was honored to talk with Jared Stillman and Tom Callahan with ESPN’s “The Game” in Nashville on 94.9FM about the excitement surrounding Tennessee football!
Check out the discussion about Quarterback Josh Dobbs, the Vols’ upcoming season, the high standard for TN football, and the countdown until it’s football time in Tennessee!
See this behind-the-scenes journey to a production for the SEC Network. Sara Mitchell breaks down the partnership between ESPN and the SEC for linear and digital events. 
Sara Mitchell 