vols

Vols is the nickname for the University of Tennessee's intercollegiate athletic teams, based in Knoxville. The teams compete as the Tennessee Volunteers, commonly shortened to Volunteers or Vols. The term stems from Tennessee's nickname, The Volunteer State, applied in the 19th century to residents who volunteered in military and civil service, notably during the War of 1812. The abbreviation Vols is widely used by media and fans.

UT Knoxville's teams compete in NCAA Division I as members of the Southeastern Conference (SEC). Programs span football, men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, and more. The football program has a long SEC tradition with prominent bowl appearances; the women's basketball program, under hall of fame coach Pat Summitt, is among the most successful in NCAA history, having secured multiple national championships.

Vols branding centers on orange and white colors and the Power-T logo. Home venues include Neyland Stadium for football and Thompson-Boling Arena for basketball, both located on the Knoxville campus, which foster a distinctive game-day atmosphere and strong regional support.

In other contexts, vols. is commonly the abbreviation for volumes in bibliographic citations, used in publishing, libraries, and academic references.