This 1909 Tennessee Volunteers program paints a picture of the early days of football. | Photo via Wikimedia Commons
On this day, Dec. 8, 1932, representatives from 13 Southern universities met in Knoxville with one goal: Form the Southeastern Conference. This historic meeting set the stage for one of the most iconic and passionate college sports leagues in the country.
Who was there?
Led by Dr. Frank L. McVey from Kentucky, the first 13 members were: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Kentucky, Louisiana State, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Sewanee, Tennessee, Tulane, and Vanderbilt.
If you look closely, you can see the sign for the sign for the Imperial Hotel — which would later become the Farragut.
Photo via Wikimedia Commons
Where did they meet?
In 1934, it was known as Hotel Farragut. Nowadays you may recognize the South Gay Street hotel as a Hyatt.
What was the meeting like?
We weren’t there, but we can picture it. It’s the 1930s during the annual Southern Conference banquet. Athletic directors and university presidents arrive in their Ford Model As — the most popular car at the time. They enter the smoky conference room, hang up their fedoras, and hunker down over cigars to hash it out.
It’s a tall order: Break off from the 23-member Southern Conference to create a smaller league with new rules and philosophies. But they pulled it off. Today, the SEC is a powerhouse, boasting some of the most valuable teams in college sports.
It’s official — an upscale sports bar is coming to Knoxville. Jonathan’s Grille plans to join up to eight restaurants in a new multistory location. The post-game haunt is slated to open near the Smokies stadium by next baseball season. (Knox News)
Cause
5 million. That’s the number of meals the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee will be able to provide thanks to community support. The food bank raised over $1.7 million in donations during its telethon this year. (Knox Focus)
Holiday
Hanukkah is right around the corner. If you’re looking for ways to celebrate, the Knoxville Jewish Alliance’s community calendar is stuffed with events — like dinner on Friday, Dec. 12.
Mansion Monday
Um, Knoxville? Why is there a mansion on the market that looks exactly like Vecna’s lair from “Stranger Things”? Maybe it’s because this historic mansion in Happy Holler was built in 1889, and — sorry. We got distracted by how great holiday lights would look strung around that turret.
Kids
Safety City is open to the public for a limited time. Typically it’s only open for field trips, but you can bring your kids to explore this mini town Tuesday-Thursday. Take a peek. (WBIR)
Trending
Pantone’s Color of the Year has been announced, and it’s... white? The exact shade is called “Cloud Dancer,” and if you use our airport guide, then you know what that feels like.
Number
27,400+. That’s how many active job listings you can find on our Job Board. Explore openings in manufacturing, sales, marketing, and beyond. Roles for all experience levels are hiring now. Find a new gig for 2026.
Sports
What do the Volunteers need on their roster? Hear from the local experts on the Tennessee Volunteers with Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Number
$0. That’s how much 94% of patients pay to see a licensed dietitian with Nourish. Find a dietitian covered by insurance and build a personalized nutrition plan — a structured, supportive way to map out your 2026 wellness goals now.*
When we launched 865today, I sat down with fellow editors to chat through which history pieces we were most excited to write. I remember telling my friend Grace over in AVLtoday that we just had to cover the dumpster’s dramatic history.
