UT football's Austin Pope, baseball's Zach Linginfelter and golfer Spencer Cross visited Boyds Creek Elementary on Tuesday morning to speak with students on developing good habits.
The entire trip was organized by their former P.E. teacher, Dan Deremer. He said he hopes the kids will understand that their dreams are not out of reach.
"I see the same potential out of the kids I have today," said Deremer. "We want them to think, 'that can be me someday.'"
"To have this platform to talk to kids like that," said Pope, "It's a major thing to have somebody to look up to, that has been there where you've been and going where you want to go."
The three discussed the good habits they've developed so far at Tennessee
"We were in their shoes," said Linginfelter, "and they're going to be in our shoes one day."
Dermer said he wanted to give the kids a boost as they started the new year. Cross was happy to provide motivation.
"To get better at what they're doing," Cross said, "it's something that I'm just proud to help them achieve."