Forrest grad savors every second at UT

Some people never get to realize their dreams, but Forrest graduate Matthew Delk is living his out every day for at the University of Tennessee as the special teams manager for the 'Big Orange'.

"It's a humbling experience and I'm so excited to get up and go work for the football team every day," said Delk. "People who know me can tell you how big of a super fan I am. I am still in awe when I get to the stadium or the football complex."

Lifelong goal

Delk, the son of Forrest Athletic Director Scott Delk and grandson of CHES principal Dean Delk, always knew that he would be in some way connected to the Volunteers' football program.

"I have wanted to be a part of this university and football program for as long as I can remember," said Delk. "My first game was Peyton Manning's last home game and after watching him direct the band after beating Vanderbilt, I knew that this was the place for me. Getting to UT was a blessing."

His current duties as special teams manager consists of managing and distributing football equipment, while working closely with the UT coaching staff and players during practice to make sure practice runs smoothly by setting up drills planned for the day.

"All the equipment you see our players wear we distribute," said Delk. "We put the T's on the helmets and take care of anything coach (Butch) Jones asks us to do."

Insider's view

Delk explained what the atmosphere is like from the inside as a UT student and as a member of the team on game night versus a big opponent, most recently Saturday night's big nationally televised game versus Vanderbilt.

"Any time you have your in-state rival coming into town it's a big deal, the atmosphere goes up a notch, and Neyland Stadium comes alive," said Delk. "I get chill bumps every time we are about to play a big game, especially a night game in front of 102,000 passionate fans. Night games at Neyland are the best."

Delk has always been a boisterous fan, but as manager, he has learned to quell those deep emotions on the sidelines, but it is not easy.

"The hardest part of my job is trying not to yell at an official who makes a horrible call or a coach like Nick Saban or James Franklin," said Delk. "The last thing I want is to get ejected from a game. Sometimes I get a little too passionate, but then I remember I represent The University of Tennessee, the community of Chapel Hill, and my family."

Chasing a dream

Delk attended UT Martin for a year, but yearned for the Knoxville campus and transferred to Knoxville in the fall of 2011 in search of his boyhood dream.

"Something told me I needed to go and I ran with it and now here I am living my dream," said Delk. "I have so many people to thank who have helped me get to this position. God blessed me with an excellent supporting staff and my family and friends are more than I can ever ask for."

Delk, a second semester junior, who sports a solid 3.3 G.P.A. in the classroom, is majoring in geography with a minor in history and secondary education and he plans to remain on campus as a graduate assistant or football intern after graduation.

"If being a GA or intern for the football team does not work out, I would like to teach and coach football," said Delk. "Working with the coaching staff has really opened my eyes and I have learned a lot of football terminology and how to game plan for an opponent."

He wants to enjoy every moment left at UT before he has to leave the place he loves.

"UT is a special place because of the people who are there," said Delk. "I have been fortunate to meet some great people who will help me whenever I need it."

Hometown hope

There is another dream that Delk has running through his mind and that is returning to his high school alma mater to coach the Forrest Rockets, where he was a four-year letterman on the football team.

"One thing I really want to do and hope to achieve one day is come back to Forrest High School and win a state title," said Delk. "I plan on working extremely hard and achieving this goal one day down the road."

Delk has some time remaining on the banks of the Tennessee River and has much work left to do at Neyland Stadium and in the classroom before his childhood dream ends and new dreams begin.

If Delk's future determination to fulfill his dreams is as strong as his present, do not count him out in one day walking the sidelines at "The Rock".