After 18 months of debate and discussion regarding the Lady Vol logo, members of the state of Tennessee legislative body and the University of Tennessee administration have reached a compromise regarding the use of the Lady Vol logo.

In the fall of 2016 and spring of 2017 all women's athletics teams will wear a commemorative patch on their uniforms. Starting in the fall '17, individual female athletes will have a choice as to whether or not they want to wear the patch with the Lady Vols logo on their uniform.

The compromise comes after months of discussions, protests, and legislative discussion about the move by the University to move to the 'Power T' as their branding logo. Last Tuesday a bill created by Roger Kane, a republican from Knoxville whose daughter was a former Lady Vol athlete, was delayed from vote. Over the weekend, the compromise with the University brass was reached.

Speaking from his office on Monday, Chancellor Jimmy Cheek said it was simply time to move on.

“We would like to put this whole issue behind us and we think this is the right time to do this,” Cheek offered. “We have so many things this year in the legislature that this is not one of the issues they need to be discussing. Hopefully we can now focus on other things.”

Cheek also made it clear that the University's branding will remain the 'Power T.'

“I really believe that the best future of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, our entire campus and for the athletic program is that the 'Power T' is the thing that we ought to use as the symbol that represents us,” Cheek said. “When you put the 'Power T' on, everyone knows where you are. I was in China a couple of years ago, when you put the 'Power T' on, people said Tennessee. That helps us promote the University. We have had an external group come in and look at us and talk to us about branding and how we brand ourselves. How we can communicate better with instate students about the University of Tennessee and out of state students, and international students.

"Five years or so ago, they said the 'Power T' is the most recognized symbol for the University; why aren't you using the 'Power T' now? We finally did that a year and a half ago. When you are on our campus and you see things with the 'Power T' on it, you know where you are. We want to use that to represent not only this campus, but also the athletic department. That's the argument that I use that we want to have one united brand.

"At the same time, Pat Summitt did so much for athletics that we said from the very beginning we are not going to do away with the Lady Vols logo and name for the basketball team. They are going to maintain that.”

Some advocating for the return of the Lady Vol logo will claim victory over men's athletics and Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Dave Hart, a notion that Cheek didn't agree with in noting that Hart was involved in the compromise and again stressing that it's time everyone support each other.

“We ought to be one Tennessee all the way with all of our fans, and all of our supporters, athletes and all of our students,” Cheek said. “This is a great University, we have great athletic programs and we all need to all get behind each other and push us forward and focus on the big picture.”

Added Hart in a statement,

“I have always said we are going to continue to find ways to honor the legacy of the Lady Vols as we move forward. We believe a commemorative patch worn by all of our female athletes, except women’s basketball players who will continue to use the Lady Vols logo, will be a great tribute to the tradition of the Lady Vols.”

The design of the patch will begin sometime this spring. Cheek didn't know many details about it other than it's size.

“I don't have any idea about the patch, but it will be relatively small,” Cheek said with a chuckle.