Alex Pidgeon — captain of Tennessee Rowing — joins this episode of the Everything Orange podcast.

The Montreal native shares her journey from competitive swimming to rowing, starting on an erg at 16 before ever stepping into a boat — and how she went from resisting the sport to leading the Lady Vols through a historic third-place finish at the NCAA Championships.

Now in her senior season, Alex reflects on her transition from Canada to the SEC, what it means to wear the Orange and White, and how she’s helped shape a winning team culture under head coach Kim Cupini.

With the first-ever SEC Rowing Championship now in the books and NCAA Championships on deck, Alex talks leadership, legacy, and how the team is staying focused through the final push of the 2025 season.

Shunsuke Mitsui stands as one of the most distinguished players in Tennessee men’s tennis history, embodying resilience, consistency, and unwavering determination on Rocky Top.

Born and raised in Shizuoka, Japan, Shunsuke took a leap of faith that brought him over 6,500 miles from home to Knoxville. Over four unforgettable years, he’s racked up over 100 wins in both singles and doubles, earned First Team All-SEC honors every season, and helped lead the Vols to national prominence.

We dive into his journey from junior Grand Slams to college tennis, the culture shock of moving to America, the legacy he hopes to leave behind, and the epic comeback win against Duke to send Tennessee to the NCAA Super Regionals .

Dave Parrington — the most decorated diving coach in SEC history, a former Olympian, and the driving force behind Tennessee’s decades-long diving success — is officially retiring.

After 35 years on Rocky Top, Dave is closing the chapter on a legendary coaching career that includes 9 NCAA champions, 47 SEC titles, 16 SEC Coach of the Year honors, and more than 300 divers mentored under his leadership.

We look back on his incredible journey from Zimbabwe to the international stage, explore the legacy he built at Tennessee, and reflect on the moments, relationships, and philosophies that shaped his unmatched career.

From Olympic memories to heartfelt thank-yous, this conversation is a true celebration of a coach who made Rocky Top home.