Tennessee offers scholarship to student who was bullied for homemade T-shirt
A boy who was bullied earlier this week because of his homemade Tennessee Volunteers T-shirt now has his post-secondary education paid for.
The University of Tennessee announced on Thursday that the school is offering the Florida boy a full ride to UT when he comes of age in 2028, granted he meets the academic requirements.
The Rock today. #GoVols 🍊 pic.twitter.com/eGyBPRlhZZ
— UT Knoxville Alumni (@tennalum) September 9, 2019
UT's offer of admission comes after Laura Snyder, the boy's teacher, posted on social media about how the student wanted to represent his favorite team on college colors day but didn't have any Tennessee gear. The resourceful youth didn't let that stop him, attaching his own "UT" logo on an orange shirt of his, and the story went viral instantly.
Many reached out to Snyder and the boy afterward, including Tennessee's interim president Randy Boyd, who responded with a heartfelt message and a care package stuffed with Volunteers paraphernalia.
I was touched to learn of a young Florida school student’s heart for the University of Tennessee, and I LOVED his imagination behind designing his own shirt. So many of us admire his love for UT and it’s awesome to see everyone step up to send him some UT gear!#EverywhereUT pic.twitter.com/83YqjzBxag
— UT Interim President Randy Boyd (@UT_President) September 5, 2019
The university then went even further, producing official shirts with the boy's design on them. The shirts sold so well that the school's online store, VolShop, crashed due to preorders.
UPDATE: We're still working on our server issues, but hope to be back up soon. While other shops are trying to sell this shirt, please know we're the source that has an agreement w/the family, where all proceeds go to @STOMPOutBullyng #GoVols #EverywhereUT pic.twitter.com/BbUEAH5Syx
— VolShop (@UTVolShop) September 8, 2019
To date, VolShop has presold over 50,000 of the shirts and will donate all proceeds to the non-profit organization Stomp Out Bullying, according to ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.
The response has been so overwhelmingly supportive for the boy that his mother issued a thank you letter.
"I am overwhelmed by the love I feel from this extended community and the pride I feel for my son," read the letter. "Every comment, item sent, and action taken on behalf of my son will never be forgotten and hopefully will serve as an inspiration for him throughout his life."