In a significant step for the University of Tennessee baseball program, the Volunteers have been selected to compete in the Live Like Lou Jax College Baseball Classic scheduled for February 26‑28, 2027, in Jacksonville, Florida. The three‑day event will bring together four collegiate programs, including Georgia Tech, Cincinnati, and Illinois, under the banner of a cause that resonates far beyond the diamond.
The tournament is organized by the Live Like Lou Foundation, a nonprofit created in 2012 dedicated to supporting families affected by ALS and funding research into Lou Gehrig's disease. As the title sponsor, the foundation will channel proceeds from the event into vital assistance programs and scientific initiatives, turning each swing of the bat into a tangible contribution toward a cure.
A Cause‑Driven Event
Ryan Holloway, Founder and CEO of Peak Events, expressed pride in the partnership, noting that the collaboration amplifies the foundation’s mission while providing a premier early‑season showcase for college baseball. "We are honored to join forces with the Live Like Lou Foundation," Holloway said, "and to help build one of the most impactful events on the collegiate calendar."
For Tennessee, the appearance marks its first entry into the Jax Classic and only its second contest in Florida during non‑conference play since 2019, when the Vols traveled to Pensacola for the Cox Diamond Invitational. Over the past decade the team has also logged multiple trips to Texas, underscoring a schedule that blends regional rivalries with strategic road tests.
Beyond the competition, the event aims to cement its reputation as one of the premier early‑season tournaments in college baseball, offering fans a chance to witness high‑caliber play while contributing to a cause that touches many lives. As the Volunteers prepare for their Florida debut, the partnership stands as a testament to how sport can drive meaningful change.