The sound of drums echoed off downtown buildings. Duck boats cruised past waving fans. And atop those boats stood the champions—members of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga men’s basketball team—as National Invitation Tournament royalty.
On Thursday, April 17, the Mocs were celebrated in grand fashion with a downtown Chattanooga parade that culminated in a rally at Miller Park. The event brought together students, alums, faculty and community members to honor the team’s historic postseason run—which ended with UTC’s first-ever NIT title.
As the newly-crowned NIT champions made their way to the stage, the band, cheerleaders and spirit team amped up the large crowd.
UTC Interim Chancellor Robert Dooley opened his remarks with congratulations to the team and supporting staff.
“You have forever put your mark on UTC basketball and this city,” Dooley said. “Wherever life takes you after this season and graduation, know we are lucky to call you a Moc now and forever.”
Fans lined the downtown streets for the April 17 parade honoring the 2025 NIT-champion Mocs basketball team. Photo by Noah Camacho.
Councilman Cody Harvey, a 2015 UTC graduate, followed Dooley. Harvey, the recipient of the 2019 Outstanding Alumni Award from the School of Nursing, spoke on behalf of Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly.
“UTC is an integral part of who we are as the city and without it, we would never be the same,” Harvey said. “It is my profound honor to extend to you a resounding congratulations on bringing home the National Invitation Tournament trophy.”
Harvey introduced Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp, who subsequently announced April 17, 2025, will be known as Mocs Basketball Day.
“The UTC men’s basketball team has not only elevated the University’s standing on a national stage,” Wamp said, “but has also united the Hamilton County community in celebration and pride.”
Head Coach Dan Earl took the podium to thank the UTC and Chattanooga community for their support on this monumental run.
“I can’t tell you how much we appreciate all of you for everything you’ve done this year, for this great run we’ve been on and to our guys,” Earl said. “I know that they appreciate it, but I don’t know if they fully understand what they’ve done.
“They will have this bond for the rest of their lives. They’ll be able to come back to Chattanooga for the rest of their lives and then they can call themselves champions.”
Players Bash Wieland and Honor Huff addressed the crowd to raucous applause.
“To be able to do this with such tremendous guys, these are guys who I’m going to call my best friends my whole life,” Wieland said. “It just means the world and we couldn’t have done it without you guys.”
Huff, who announced his transfer to West Virginia University, was joined onstage by his self-described “twin” Trey Bonham.
“For you guys to show up like this, I mean, it’s amazing,” Huff said. “Obviously, I’m departing, but I hope I left it better than I found it.
“I hope they take what we did and run with it. Do something more special than we did this year and maybe go to the tournament. I know under the leadership of this coach and staff and the people … I know they can do it.”
Peyton Miller, a two-time alum of UTC (2013 psychology, 2017 Master of Business Administration), said this moment reminded him of his youth watching the Mocs reach the “Sweet Sixteen” in 1997.
“It’s the culmination of a dream run,” Miller said. “I’m so proud of the team. It feels like the same kind of magic that the (1997) team had. As a 35-year-old, I have a lot more appreciation for it and am soaking it all in.”
For December communication graduate Ethan Johnson, this was a culmination of support for a team he’s followed his whole UTC journey.
“I went to basically every home game this past season, traveled to Middle Tennessee State University for the triple overtime game and now we’re here,” Johnson said. “It feels great to see the boys get celebrated like this by the whole city.”
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Photo gallery by Noah Camacho
