TELLICO VILLAGE, Tenn. — On Tuesday, September 30, University of Tennessee Lady Volunteers softball coach Karen Weekly spoke at The Yacht Club at Tellico Village.

The event was held by the Tellico Community Foundation — a local group that helps fund those in Loudon and Monroe counties who engage in development support for children and seniors.

According to the Foundation’s chair Marsha Keiser, the group has invested $375,000 in 35 different non-profit organizations since 2019.


The purpose of bringing in coach Weekly to speak was to bridge the gap between sports and development in young people.

‘I Grew Up in a Household Without Traditional Stereotypes’

Weekly spoke to the crowd about growing up with sports in mind in the state of Washington.

“When I was a little girl, I wanted nothing to do with dolls, dresses or tea parties,” Weekly said. “I have no idea why.

“All I wanted to do was play with trucks, footballs, basketballs, baseballs and tennis rackets. … Not once did my parents say, ‘Well, that is not what most little girls do.’”

This foundational mindset at a young age wasn’t necessarily the status quo of what girls wanted to do at the time. However, that did not keep Weekly away from sports in the slightest.

“I grew up in a household without those traditional stereotypes,” the Lady Vols softball coach said.

Teaching Life Lessons and the Importance of Education

During Weekly’s presentation, one thing she spoke highly on was how to communicate with people in a strong way.

This is something she teaches her players on the UT softball team.

“One of the things I teach my girls all the time is how to talk to people and introduce ourselves,” Weekly said. “If you engage in it in a certain way, you will get better at it.”

The head coach recognizes that her time with her players in Knoxville is meant to teach them more than softball.

“Every recruit that comes on campus hears that,” Weekly said on teaching players life lessons. “All of my players know that they live that during their (college) career.”

She also makes sure each player introduces herself to the group during the first practice in the fall.

“The important things I look for are good eye contact … your head is up … a clear, commanding voice … and no slouching,” Weekly said.

“Then, they all have to shake hands with me as they leave the room to see if that is good or not.”

The confidence through introductions Weekly teaches her softball players will set them apart in life after their collegiate career runs its course.

The head coach also makes it a point to never deny a softball player a certain major. They will learn and get the education they desire — even if the classes “conflict” with the Tennessee softball schedule.

“We will work softball around that,” Weekly said. “I honestly think that you should put the academic aspirations of your student-athletes first.”

Weekly’s Relationship with Another Great — Pat Summitt

One of the biggest figureheads in women’s sports was (and still is) the late Tennessee Lady Volunteers basketball coach Pat Summitt.

She provided Weekly with pure helpfulness and advice throughout her career in Knoxville.

“She [Summitt] talked to us about the importance of physical connection,” Weekly said. “It creates an emotional connection with the team and helps them stay engaged.”

Summitt’s basketball teams at Tennessee always had their feet touching while they were in huddles during games and practices. This was the physical connection that she shared with Weekly.

The Lady Vols softball team quickly adopted this for their own huddles during games and practices.

“She went out of her way to help everyone,” Weekly said of coach Summitt. “We took every recruit to Pat’s office to meet her.

“She spent 30 minutes or so talking to each of them.”

Lady Vols Pitcher Karlyn Pickens ‘the Total Package’

During the 2025 NCAA Super Regional against Nebraska, Tennessee softball pitcher Karlyn Pickens broke the world record for the fastest softball pitch at 79.4 miles per hour.

Weekly talked, of course, about that big moment. But she also wanted people to know about Pickens as a person.

“The most important thing to me is that the world knows who you are and what your character is,” Weekly said. “Pickens is one of the best people I have ever coached when it comes to being the total package.

“She is humble, a great teammate, competitive and loyal.”

Weekly added: “She loves being a Lady Vol.”

Pickens is the back-to-back reigning NCAA Southeastern Conference Pitcher of the Year. In three seasons at Tennessee, she has a 1.48 ERA, 630 strikeouts and 56 wins.

Weekly left the Tellico Village crowd with a message about the great shape that the University of Tennessee is in.

“We are in such a great place right now,” the Lady Vols head coach said. “The leadership we get from (UT President) Randy Boyd, (UT Chancellor) Donde Plowman and (Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics) Danny White is as good as any.”

Weekly’s Historic Coaching Career with Tennessee

Weekly wrapped up her 24th season coaching Tennessee softball.

She led Tennessee to the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City in 2025. And that is the ninth time the Lady Volunteers reached the World Series under her direction.

Weekly has led Tennessee to three SEC regular-season championships and three SEC Tournament championships.

She is also a four-time SEC Coach of the Year winner. She won the award in 2004, 2007, 2023 and most recently in 2024.

In her time with the Lady Vols, Weekly has amassed 1,132 wins. She has been with the program since the 2002 season.