KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — The boats come and go, but Coy Caldwell's "Hawk's Nest" houseboat remains docked just outside the shadow of Neyland Stadium throughout the entire season.
It's an annual rite of river passage in East Tennessee when dozens of boats travel the Tennessee River, which runs right by where the Volunteers play. They dock, party all weekend, watch UT play on Saturday, then head home the next day.
The phenomenon is known as the "Vol Navy," a college game-day experience unique to Knoxville. For Caldwell, a 64-year-old retired National Guard member, it never ends because he never leaves.