Campus parade celebrates UTC student and Olympic gold medalist Olivia Reeves

Olympic gold medalist and University of Tennessee at Chattanooga student Olivia Reeves waved from a red convertible to the students, alumni, faculty, staff and members of the Chattanooga community who lined Vine Street to cheer her on.

On Tuesday, Sept. 3, Reeves was honored in a parade and pep rally where she was presented the key to the city. Bands and cheer teams from UTC—along with Reeves’ alma maters St. Jude School and Notre Dame High School—joined in the celebration.

Reeves, a senior sociology major, was the first currently-enrolled UTC student to participate in the Olympics. She became the first U.S. weightlifter to win gold at the Olympics in 24 years and set an Olympic record with a snatch of 117 kg (257.9 pounds).

Attendees ranged from Reeves’ closest friends and family to complete strangers.

“I can’t believe that this is real and that she’s from here,” said Lydia Brandes, a senior business analytics major at UTC. “I’m so excited to support her and I’m so proud of all that she’s done.”

Colin Thompson, who graduated in May with a business administration degree, felt proud to have attended the school where Reeves is a student.

“I think it’s really cool that the school has an Olympian, especially a gold medalist,” he said before the parade went by. “I am very proud to be a Moc today.”

Emily McKinney, a co-founder of the UTC weightlifting club in which Reeves participates, proudly sported a Reeves-themed shirt that included a photoshopped image of her with a bald eagle and American flag.

“She’s a great person and great to work out with and train with,” said McKinney, a senior exercise science major. “We wanted to be here and celebrate her.

“It’s really great that she’s so involved with the club even though she’s won a gold medal. She’s very humble about it.”

Sophomore business management major Bianca Ravelo stood on her balcony at UTC’s Johnson Obear Apartments. She was awoken from a nap by the marching bands, leaving her a bit confused as the unexpected parade passed below. Her face lit up when she found out who it was for.

“I feel a deep sense of pride because she goes to school in Chattanooga and I am from here,” Ravelo said.

Emma Sofia Griffin

For Emma Sofia Griffin, Reeves’ childhood best friend, the parade was a bit more personal.

“It’s just the coolest thing in the world,” the senior communication student said. “She was more of a horse girl when we were kids, so this is not the turn I expected. It is very exciting and I’m really proud of her.”

Another proud attendee was Robert Giles, a 1968 graduate of the University of Chattanooga—which became part of the University of Tennessee system in 1969 and is now known as UTC.

“It’s great. We’re so happy for her,” Giles said. “Hopefully, she’ll be a real stimulus for a lot of other youngsters to work hard and get ahead.”

One prominent vehicle in the parade was the Mocs Train, which was engineered by facilities service manager Chris Charland for the parade.

He has plenty of experience conducting the train, but this event was unlike any other.

“Olivia did all the work, and we’re just enjoying the ride,” Charland said. “We’re just tooting her horn.”

Perhaps the proudest face in the crowd was her sister, UTC student Haley Reeves.

Haley Reeves

“I can’t believe the amount of people that came out to show support,” said the junior finance major. “I’ve never been to a parade before, so I didn’t know what to expect. This has been so awesome.”

Over the past few months, Haley has taken the role of Olivia’s manager, helping her sister schedule interviews and attend community events.

“It’s been a lot more than I expected, but nothing bad,” Haley said. “Everybody wants to show their support for her and they are so excited. This is a chance for them to learn from her and how she got to where she is as Chattanooga’s first (individual) gold medalist.”

The parade made its way to Chamberlain Field, where everyone gathered to hear speeches from UTC and community leaders.

“She embodies this Mocs spirit of working hard, achieving excellence, doing your best, and notdoing it the conventional way,” UTC Chancellor Steve Angle said in his welcoming remarks. “I had not watched an Olympic weightlifting competition until hers, at least from beginning to end, and it was so much fun. My gosh, she brought our campus community, state and nation together cheering for her.

“Olivia, on behalf of your Mocs family, we are so proud of you and your accomplishments. We are glad you’re here at UTC. We’re glad you’re a Moc.”

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp took the stage to officially declare Aug. 9, 2024—the date of her Olympic victory—as Olivia Reeves Day. Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly then presented Reeves with the key to the city.

Steve Fauer, Reeves’ coach and owner of Tennessee Speed and Strength gym, reflected on the experience of coaching Reeves to the pinnacle of her sport.

Steve Fauer

“Not only is she capable, but she’s smart, she’s intelligent, she’s coachable and she’s so driven,” Fauer said. “She’s got such a passion for the sport. I mean, if you’re a coach, I wish and I hope that you can coach somebody like her. She’s just amazing. I can’t even put into words how amazing she is and I firmly believe that a coach is only as good as their athlete—and she has made me, I think, one of the best coaches in the world.”

Finally, Reeves gave her remarks, thanking those who supported her along the way, including her parents, her sisters Haley and Caroline, and, of course, Fauer.

“His commitment to the sport and to me as an athlete is unmatched,” Reeves said. “I really enjoy the creativity in the atmosphere he brings to training every day.”

Reeves also thanked all who supported her.

“To everybody else, a part of this medal—even though it was given to me—a piece of it really does belong to everybody here who has helped me accomplish this,” she said. “And for that, I’m endlessly grateful.”

Olivia Reeves addresses the crowd.

Olympic-worthy quotes

St. Jude School Principal Joshua Overton (Reeves’ former elementary school science teacher)

“You have shown us all that dreams are not just meant to be dreamt, that they’re meant to be chased, fought for and achieved. As you stand here today, you not only represent St. Jude School, Notre Dame High School, UTC and Chattanooga, but also our nation and the values that we hold dear. Your triumph is our triumph and we could not be prouder.”

Notre Dame High School Head of School Eric Schexnaildre, a UTC alumnus

“From her early days as a student, Olivia exemplified what it means to push beyond ordinary and strive for greatness. The gold medal is a symbol of Olivia’s extraordinary talent and hard work, but it’s also representative of the support and encouragement that she has gotten along her journey. Our school community has always been dedicated to nurturing the potential of our students, and Olivia’s success is a shining example of how that commitment bears fruit. Olivia’s success serves as an inspiration to all of us.”

Hamilton County District 3 Commissioner Ken Smith, a UTC alumnus

“I’m also a very proud Chattanooga Moc standing before you today, which makes it extra special to be here on this campus where I’ve spent many years—and to be here to deliver a proclamation on behalf of the city of Chattanooga. It really is an amazing opportunity. I’ve done a number of proclamations during my time serving in office and never have I been able to do one as cool as this.”

Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp

“Olivia, I want to say one thing to you as a dad, not just as the county mayor. We’re here to celebrate your accomplishments, which are beyond the accomplishments to my knowledge of anybody who’s here celebrating you—and that’s a big deal and we’re extremely proud of you. But I think what means more to this community is that for a generation—at least when moms and dads and coaches and teachers have this conversation with little kids about who they can be and about what’s realistic in their life—that conversation’s going to go differently because of what you did in Paris.

“We all want to look kids in the eye from first grade through their senior year and tell them we believe in them and that they can go do from Chattanooga or from Hixson where I grew up and where you grew up—you can go out in the world and travel it and train and work and accomplish and achieve and you can be the best in the world. That lands very different with a little kid when you can tell them like I’ll tell my daughter as I tuck her into bed; I was with an Olympic gold medalist named Olivia Reeves, who is the best in the world at what she does.”

Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly

“Olivia, you have inspired us so much because it’s proof that this mighty little city and this mighty little school and this mighty little person can accomplish global greatness. It should cause all of you out there to believe that Chattanooga can produce global greatness. The Athens, Greece, that produced the original Olympic games was about the size of Chattanooga, as fate had it. So I hope that we will all remain inspired for many, many, many years to come and produce more greatness from this city because it is certainly capable of doing it. Thank you, Olivia, for proving that to us all.”

Olivia Reeves poses with her key to the city and Olympic gold medal.

Commissioner Ken Smith read a joint Mayor/Council proclamation:

WHEREAS it is with immense pride and admiration that we recognize the exceptional achievements of Olivia Reeves, a lifelong resident of Chattanooga, Tennessee, who has brought honor and distinction to our city through her extraordinary accomplishments in the world of Olympic weightlifting; and

WHEREAS Olivia Reeves has demonstrated unparalleled dedication and skill in her sport, earned the Olympic gold medal—a testament to her remarkable talent and unwavering commitment; and

WHEREAS her impressive record includes being a three-time world medalist, Pan-American games champion, junior world champion, Pan-American champion, and an American and Olympic record holder, underscoring her status as one of the finest athletes in her field; and

WHEREAS in addition to her athletic achievement, Olivia is also a dedicated student at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, alumni of the Notre Dame High School and St. Jude School. And she remains a committed volunteer in our community, exemplifying the spirit of excellence both on and off the field; and

WHEREAS Olivia’s achievements have not only elevated her own standing but have also shown a spotlight on the strength and spirit of our Chattanooga community; and

WHEREAS her relentless pursuit of greatness combined with her humility and grace serves as an inspiration to all residents of our city and to aspiring athletes everywhere.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Ken Smith, on behalf of Tim Kelly, mayor of the city of Chattanooga, and on behalf of the full Chattanooga City Council, do hereby proclaim August 9th as Olivia Reeves Day. On this day, we will celebrate her exceptional accomplishments, honor her contributions to our community, and express our deepest gratitude for the pride she has brought to our city.