UT Coach Bruce Pearl Has Busy Day in Maysville

University of Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl came to Chris Lofton's hometown Tuesday.
Pearl was the guest speaker at the Maysville Rotary Club meeting but also made several other stops.
Pearl visited the Mason County Middle School, Mason County High School and the Tom Browning Boys and Girls before going to the Maysville Country Club for the Rotary Club meeting. From there, he went to the Fieldhouse and addressed hundreds of fans, most of whom were wearing Tennessee orange. The Mason County band played "Rocky Top" when Pearl arrived at the Fieldhouse
Pearl announced that Lofton was recently named the "2006 Male Athlete of the Year" at the University of Tennessee.
He told the Rotary Club members that Lofton is an All-American on the court and an All-American off the court. Pearl says he's very fortunate to have Lofton at UT.

On Lofton going to the NBA, Pearl said: "We'll have to sit down with Chris at the end of the year. Certainly, he's going to get looked at ... I do know, for the right team, Chris has a chance to play in the league."
Pearl says Chris isn't worried about that. "He wants to win, he wants to get better. Whatever happens, I think happens with Chris, and I think that's one of the things that gives him a chance (to go the NBA); he's doing it for the right reasons."

Pearl was impressed by the Fieldhouse. "This is a big gym," he said looking around the Mason County Royals' homecourt.

During a question and answer session, a fan had some advice for Pearl:
"When Chris is hot, don't take him out," the fan said.
"Now I know how Tubby feels," Pearl said.

Pearl, who was accompanied by assistant coach Jason Shay, thanked the fans for their support.