Hours before what was then the most crucial game in University of Tennessee baseball history, chaplain Dean Craig was tasked with setting the tone for the Volunteers’ players and coaches.
Craig, a Halls native with a background in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, was present with the Vols at the College World Series. Following a loss to Texas A&M in the first game of the best-of-three finals, Tennessee needed to win the next two games to secure the championship.
His responsibility was to conduct a chapel service for the players before their Sunday afternoon game.
“I told the players that their goal for the finals was to win two games,” Craig said. “That was still their goal. The first game didn’t mean a thing. They had all the confidence in themselves.”
“I reminded them that this has been our entire season. It was a perfect setup. ‘This is who we are.’ When this team got knocked down, it always fought back.”
As the Tennessee baseball chaplain for over two decades, Craig had a unique behind-the-scenes perspective during the Vols’ run to a national title, appreciating aspects that the average fan might miss.
Tennessee Baseball Team Had a Special Bond
According to Craig, the bond within this Tennessee team was unmatched compared to what he had seen before.
“This was a solid, unified band of brothers,” Craig said. “I’ve seen this kind of unity in the past, but never to this extent. This was special.”
Overcoming Obstacles: A Defining Trait of the Vols
Overcoming obstacles was a hallmark of the Vols. Craig highlighted the early-season injury to key pitcher AJ Russell as an example of the adversity the team managed to conquer.
“They played for each other and always had each other’s backs,” Craig said. “This group would run through a wall for their coaches—and they did, a couple of times.
“This was also a humble team. After games or practices, it wasn’t unusual to see them out in 100-degree heat signing autographs or taking pictures with fans.”
Tennessee Baseball Parents Share Fellowship
Beyond ministering to the players, Craig spent considerable time with their families and friends before games.
Pregame tailgates, which included a prayer service, have become a regular part of the Tennessee baseball experience since Coach Tony Vitello arrived seven years ago.
Vols superfan Ray Bales has been the grand marshal of this effort, according to Craig. Recently, Kelli Beam, mother of pitcher Drew Beam, has played a key role in organizing these events.
“I usually led prayers to keep the players safe and support the coaches,” Craig said. “During the last two days of the finals against Texas A&M, we had the tailgate outside the players’ hotel. Along with the parents and families, we had a couple hundred fans joining us.
“That was pretty amazing.”
Although Tennessee ended the season as the last team standing with a title, the conclusion was just as tough on the parents as it was on the players.
“A lot of the parents were in tears,” Craig said. “These were people who had become best friends, and now, suddenly, they will all be going their separate ways.”
However, they all share the same memories.
