This week, SouthEast Bank will be proud to see four former standout University of Tennessee athletes complete their undergraduate degrees after putting their education on hold to pursue professional sports careers.
Among these four athletes is former wide receiver Peerless Price, who helped lead the Vols to their historic undefeated season and sixth national championship in 1998. Academics were always important to Price, who was also a two-time Academic All-SEC honoree in 1996 and 1997.
Price, along with three other athletes, will be crossing the “virtual” stage (as a result of graduation being moved online due to the coronavirus pandemic) with the support of SouthEast Bank’s Renewing Academic Commitment (RAC) program.
The RAC program is offered through the University of Tennessee’s Thornton Athletics Student Life Center and helps the former student-athletes return to the university to complete their undergraduate studies. After passing an admission test administered by RAC Coordinator, RAC student-athletes are supported financially with up to 100% of the cost of tuition, books, and fees covered, and are also supported academically with resources to aid in completing degree requirements, selecting courses, improving study skills, and finding internships and employment opportunities.
Price is looking to make an impact on athletes beyond the playing field by obtaining his degree in Psychology, which he will use to mentor athletes on the mental aspect of sports. Price had this to say in an interview with UTSports.com about why he pursued a degree in psychology:
“I started noticing that kids were very talented and skilled, but the mental part of the game, as far as the confidence, they lacked. I wanted to start to understand why people, mostly young people, think the way they do … It was also to show the kids that I’m training that you finish what you start.”
Promoting and supporting education in Middle and East Tennessee area is an integral part of the SouthEast Bank mission, along with supporting economic development in the communities we serve. In addition to the RAC program, SouthEast Bank has created several other initiatives to support local education, such as SouthEast Bank Scholars, Prep Promise, and the SouthEast Bank Financial Scholars program.
In light of the upcoming graduation ceremony, SouthEast Bank President Monty Montgomery spoke about the RAC program’s impact for former UT student-athletes:
“We at SouthEast Bank offer the RAC program because we feel that former UT student-athletes should have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals. It’s honorable, and we’re proud to assist them with the cost of tuition and other educational resources. They’ve proven their commitment to UT athletics and academics, and we’re proud to help in some way.”
Click here to learn more about SouthEast Bank’s commitment to promoting and supporting education in our community.
About SouthEast Bank
Headquartered in Farragut, Tennessee, SouthEast Bank operates branches throughout East and Middle Tennessee, blending modern amenities with hometown service and decision-making. Our customers enjoy convenient electronic and mobile platforms such as online banking, remote deposit, automatic fraud monitoring, and a worldwide ATM network. In the last decade, SouthEast Bank, along with its holding company, has donated over $20 million to support secondary and post-secondary education in our local communities and universities throughout the state of Tennessee. To learn more about SouthEast Bank, please visit www.southeastbank.com.
