2025 Baseball Vols: “Write their own story” by reading

2025 Baseball Vols: “Write Their Own Story” Through Reading

The 2025 University of Tennessee Baseball team, the Vols, are ready to make a statement: a championship run fueled by determination, teamwork, and their own personal stories. These athletes are determined to write their own narrative this season—not just in the game, but through the books they read, the experiences they embrace, and the ways they connect with their past, present, and future. As the team gears up for another season, they understand that success is not just about on-field performances, but also about cultivating a mindset of growth and learning, and at the heart of that process is the power of reading.

In many ways, reading is more than a tool for intellectual development. It shapes how we understand the world, how we respond to adversity, and how we craft our own identities. For a baseball team, a shared reading experience can foster camaraderie, spark reflection, and empower athletes to take charge of their own story, both individually and collectively.

As the 2025 season unfolds, it is clear that the Tennessee Vols are not just focused on their athletic prowess—they are committed to becoming well-rounded, resilient, and thoughtful individuals who are prepared to face any challenge, on or off the field.

A Foundation Built on Leadership

One of the first steps in creating a culture of self-improvement for the Vols was ensuring that their leaders understood the value of reading. Under the guidance of head coach Tony Vitello, the team has adopted a leadership model rooted in mental toughness, self-discipline, and continuous growth. Coach Vitello, known for his fiery passion and commitment to excellence, has always emphasized the importance of cultivating leaders who are not only physically gifted but also intellectually engaged.

Reading has played an essential role in the development of leadership skills within the team. Players are encouraged to read books that help them strengthen their mindset, develop emotional intelligence, and gain insight into the mental side of sports. As a result, many players have taken to reading books on leadership, perseverance, and mental conditioning.

For example, books like The Champion’s Mind: How Great Athletes Think, Train, and Thrive by Jim Afremow and Mind Gym: An Athlete’s Guide to Inner Excellence by Gary Mack have become staples for the team. These books focus on the psychological tools necessary to perform at the highest level, including the importance of visualization, goal setting, and overcoming self-doubt.

By integrating these lessons into their daily routines, the players can build a resilient mindset that allows them to stay focused during high-pressure situations. They learn to reframe failure as a temporary setback and use setbacks as motivation to push forward. Reading these books helps the Vols shape their story, knowing that the most successful teams are often the ones who conquer the mental game.

A Unified Purpose: Team Bonding Through Shared Reading

Another powerful aspect of reading within the 2025 Vols program is the team-building effect it creates. Coach Vitello has long advocated for a strong sense of unity among his players, knowing that baseball is a team sport that thrives on trust and cohesion. In addition to strength training and group activities, the Vols regularly participate in team reading exercises, where players read the same book and later come together to discuss its themes.

These shared experiences allow the team to bond over something beyond just baseball. By delving into books that explore teamwork, sacrifice, and overcoming adversity, the players are able to relate to one another in deeper ways. They begin to see that their teammates are not just fellow athletes, but individuals with their own struggles, aspirations, and backgrounds. This understanding fosters a culture of empathy and support, making the team stronger both on and off the field.

One such book that had a profound impact on the 2025 Vols is The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown. This powerful narrative of grit, teamwork, and resilience tells the story of a crew team that overcame immense odds to win Olympic gold. The themes of perseverance and working toward a common goal resonate deeply with baseball players, as they too must put aside individual egos for the benefit of the team.

The Vols found inspiration in the story of the boys from the boat, and their shared discussions of the book brought them closer together. As they reflect on their own journey, the players recognize that success comes not from individual brilliance, but from their ability to work together as a unified unit.

Personal Growth and Individual Identity

While team bonding is essential, the 2025 Vols also recognize the importance of personal growth. Each player has their own story, a unique background and journey that led them to the University of Tennessee. Reading allows them to reflect on their personal narratives and find inspiration in stories outside of baseball that can help them navigate their own lives.

For many players, reading is an opportunity to explore new perspectives and challenge their own beliefs. Books like The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle and Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance by Angela Duckworth have empowered the Vols to cultivate mindfulness, resilience, and focus. The lessons from these books extend beyond the baseball diamond and can be applied to any challenge or obstacle a player might face in life.

In particular, Grit resonated with many of the Vols, reinforcing the idea that success is not always about talent, but about persistence and determination. Duckworth’s research on the role of perseverance in achieving long-term goals encourages the players to push through tough moments, knowing that their grit will ultimately set them apart. By reading and internalizing the messages of these books, the players are shaping their personal stories of growth and success.

Embracing Adversity: Lessons from Literature

In baseball, as in life, setbacks and challenges are inevitable. The 2025 Vols know that they will face adversity throughout the season—whether it’s a losing streak, an injury, or a tough opponent. But they also understand that these challenges are not roadblocks; they are opportunities for growth. And reading, particularly literature that tackles the themes of overcoming adversity, provides invaluable insights into how to navigate difficult times.

Books like The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday and Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl teach the importance of embracing challenges and finding purpose in difficult situations. These works provide a philosophical framework that helps the Vols reframe obstacles as stepping stones to greater achievement.

Holiday’s concept of “turning obstacles into opportunities” has become a central theme for the team. When faced with challenges, the Vols know they can rely on their inner strength and resilience to push through, just as the heroes of these books did. Frankl’s story of surviving the Holocaust and finding meaning in suffering reminds the players that no matter how tough things get, there is always an opportunity to grow and learn.

Writing Their Own Story: The Ultimate Goal

As the 2025 season progresses, the Tennessee Vols will continue to embrace the power of reading as a tool for personal and collective growth. Through their commitment to developing their minds, building leadership skills, and learning from the stories of others, they are not just preparing for the next game—they are preparing for life.

For the Vols, this season is about more than winning titles and setting records. It’s about writing their own story—one that is shaped by resilience, teamwork, and personal growth. By continuing to read, reflect, and apply the lessons they’ve learned, they will be able to face any challenge that comes their way, knowing that their story is theirs to write.