Tennessee

Dragos Cazacu signs with Tennessee

Published

2 months ago

December 11, 2025

Tennessee announced the signing of graduate student Dragos Cazacu on Wednesday. He is from Constanta, Romania.

“Dragos is someone we believe can translate all of his professional experience and success seamlessly to high level college tennis,” Tennessee associate head coach Matt Lucas said. “He’s a very mature young man who has finished university in Romania, so we know the type of student athlete we are getting. Winning ITF Pro Circuit titles, all while doing his degree back home shows he will transition nicely to Tennessee in January.”

Cazacu competed on the ATP Tour prior to Tennessee. His highest ranking was No. 763 in singles and No. 495 in doubles.

Tennessee will begin its spring men’s tennis season versus ETSU on Jan. 9, 2026 at Goodfriend Tennis Center. SEC competition will begin Feb. 21, 2026 at Kentucky.

The Vols’ home opener in SEC play is scheduled for Feb. 27, 2026 versus Auburn at Goodfriend Tennis Center.

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Tennessee

Tennessee Republicans push bills targeting LGBTQ+ community

Published

11 hours ago

February 17, 2026

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Tennessee Republicans push bills targeting LGBTQ+ community – CBS News

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Tennessee Republican lawmakers are pushing a set of bills targeting the LGBTQ+ community. CBS News’ Natalie Valdes reports.

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Tennessee lawmaker proposes stricter internet safety rules for schools

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23 hours ago

February 16, 2026

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Tennessee lawmaker proposes stricter internet safety rules for schools

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — A bill aimed at tightening internet safety policies in Tennessee schools is set to be heard by the Tennessee House Education Committee tomorrow.

Supporters say the legislation would strengthen and update acceptable use policies for students in both traditional public and charter schools across the state.

Lawmakers backing the measure argue that while the internet is a powerful educational tool, it can also expose young students to harmful content if not properly monitored.

The proposal, sponsored by State Representative Scott Cepicky, would require public and charter schools to review their internet use policies twice a year and make updates as needed.

Under the bill, schools would be required to block student access to certain prohibited material while using school internet networks and actively monitor how students use the web.

Cheryl Benson, a parent of a child attending a Metro public school, said she supports the proposed changes based on her own experience.

“She was watching videos including murder videos saying you will never sleep again and eat babies,” Benson said, describing content she discovered her child had accessed at school.

If passed, the legislation would also require schools to notify parents or guardians if a student under 18 accesses a website on school internet that violates district policy.

Rep. Cepicky has indicated he plans to amend the bill so the new requirements would take effect during the 2027–2028 school year, giving school districts additional time to prepare and implement the changes.

The measure is expected to generate discussion among lawmakers, educators, and parents as it moves through the legislative process.

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Preview: Tennessee Turns Sights to Postseason with SEC Championships – University of Tennessee Athletics

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1 day ago

February 16, 2026

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Preview: Tennessee Turns Sights to Postseason with SEC Championships – University of Tennessee Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee swimming & diving gets into the postseason calendar as it gets the SEC Championships underway. Tennessee is hosting this year’s SEC Championships at the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatics Center Feb. 16-21.

All meet information including schedules, tickets, heat sheets/results, streaming, parking, and fan policies can be found on the 2026 SEC Swimming & Diving Championships Central page. Each session of the SEC Championships will be streamed on SEC Network+, with fans able to follow live results by using Meet Mobile.

The championship meet begins on Monday with the men’s 1-meter event. Tuesday features the women’s 1-meter, as well as finals in the 1650 Frees, 200 Medley Relay and the 800 Free Relay. Wednesday sees competition in the 100 Back, 200 Fly, and 100 Breast, as well as the men’s 3-meter.

Thursday begins the back half of the meet, with competition in the 100 Fly, 400 IM, and 200 Free on the individual side. Thursday also sees the women’s 3-meter and the 400 Medley Relay. Friday’s schedule features the 200 Breast, 50 Free, and 500 Free, while the men’s Platform and 200 Free Relay get underway as well. The championship meet ends on Friday, with a slate that includes the 200 IM, 100 Free, 200 Back, Women’s Platform, and 400 Free Relay.

At the 2025 SEC Championships, the men’s and women’s programs finished third overall. The Big Orange won a combined 28 medals, with 12 golds, nine silver, and seven bronze between the two teams. The Lady Vols finished the week with 1172, bringing home seven SEC titles and 18 total medals. The Vols finished the meet with 977.5 points, behind 10 total medals and five championships.

Camille Spink swept the 50 Free, 100 Free, and 200 Free at the 2025 SEC Championships, becoming the first SEC swimmer to achieve the feat since 2007. Spink was named the co-recipient SEC Commissioner’s Trophy, awarded to the top individual point scorers of the meet. Spink looks to win her third consecutive SEC title in both the 50 and 100 Free, which was last accomplished by fellow Lady Vol Erika Brown who did so from 2018-20.

Ella Jansen and Emily Brown enter for the Lady Vols as two of the top swimmers in the conference in multiple events heading into the SEC Championships. Both swimmers rank second and third respectively in the 200 Fly, with Brown setting the school record in the event earlier this season. Jansen is the SEC leader in the 400 IM, entering the meet with the fourth-best time in the event in the nation.

On the men’s side, Gui Caribe comes in with a pair of bronze medal performances in the 50 and 10 Free at the 2025 SEC Championships. Caribe has the best time in the country in the 100 Free of 40.91, while ranking third nationally and second in the conference in the 50 Free. The Vols come in as the defending champions in both the 200 and 400 Free Relays after taking the SEC titles last year. At last year’s championship meet, the Vols set NCAA records in both competitions as they captured the gold medals.

Martin Espernberger returns for the Vols after taking second place in the 200 Fly back in 2025. Espernberger took gold in the event in 2024 and looks to medal in the event for the third consecutive season. Bennett Greene took home bronze for the Vols in 2025, and aims to improve on that mark this year. Koby Bujak-Upton and Nikoli Blackman sit one and two in the conference in the 200 Free, with an eye on medaling for Tennessee at the conference championships.

Following the SEC Championships, Tennessee turns its attention to the NCAA meets. The Zone B Diving Championships take place March 7-11, taking pace in Athens, Ga. Following zones, Tennessee gets into the men’s and women’s championships in Atlanta. The NCAA Women’s Championships take place March 18-21, while the NCAA Men’s Championships get underway March 25-28.

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