Bartholomew Comments on UT Hire

D1 CEO Will Bartholomew, who played under Phillip Fulmer, is sad to see his former head coach leave his alma mater. The Tennessean caught up with Will regarding Lane Kiffin taking UT's reigns. Click here to read the whole story. Below are Will's quotes.

"No matter who they got, everyone will be comparing him to Phillip Fulmer right out of the gate," said Will Bartholomew, a Nashville native, former UT fullback (1998-2001) and CEO of D1 Sports Training in Franklin. "You hope he comes in and does well from the start. I do know that the staff he hires will be a top-notch staff. He is going to bring some veterans in here that have been in the big games. …

"Hopefully he can get in and get us back to championship form, fast. I know that's what the university wants and what all the fans want."

Bratton Becoming Star

Former D1 Combine athlete and part-time D1 coach Brian Bratton is becoming a star in the CFL for the Montreal Alouettes. Although they lost in the Grey Cup, Bratton had a big year. Prior to the Cup, Bratton caught 54 passes for 636 yards and scored seven touchdowns. His best game came at Hamilton in early October, when he made nine receptions for 113 yards.

Advent Advances D1 Brand

Advent, a national experiential marketing firm, recently designed and fabricated branding elements in D1's new Little Rock location. The goal was to clearly define the D1 brand and communicate it through elements such as Stand-off graphics, vinyl application, and ImageWalls custom wallpaper. Click here to see how they did. Thanks Advent.

"The Contender" Contestant to Train at D1

Joell Godfrey, who is a contestant on "The Contender" which premiers on December 5th on the VERSUS network and will be hosted Tony Danza, has begun training at D1 Knoxville and will continue to train until the final results of the show are announced. The show will air on Wednesdays at 10ET. Click here to see Joell's bio on "The Contender" website. D1 wishes Joell the best of luck on the show...knock 'em out!

D1 Helps Build Character

WBIR-Channel 10 in Knoxville, TN recently stopped in to the D1 Knoxville facility to ask head strength and speed coach, Robb Wilson, some questions about young athletes today and pressures they have when playing sports. D1 prides itself on making athletes faster, stronger, and more agile but it also spends time developing character and talking to athletes about effort, responsibility, and courage. D1 coaches try to warn teenagers about trouble and how to stay on the right paths to success. Click here to see the WBIR interview at D1 Knoxville!

D1 Greenville Athletes Sign Letters of Intent

Two D1 Greenville athletes recently signed National Letters of Intent to play collegiate sports. William Joseph, a senior at St. Joseph in the Greenville, SC area, signed to play baseball for a Division II institution, Mars Hill College. William is a 6-5, 220 pound pitcher and third baseman who was the 2008 St. Joseph Coach's Award recipient and had a .538 batting average. Jessica Harner, a senior at Eastside in Greenville, SC, signed to play lacrosse for Converse College. D1 wishes these two the best of luck! Train hard!

Philip Rivers Sports D1 at Chargers Press Conference

Often at the D1 offices, we hear about different athletes sporting the D1 gear. But not that often do we see D1 gear at an NFL press conference. D1 Huntsville co-owner, Philip Rivers, was seen wearing his D1 t-shirt to a recent Chargers press conference. We're proud to see Philip sporting our gear! Next stop...worldwide!

Baylor Basketball Signee to Train at D1 Little Rock

A.J. Walton, a senior at Hall High School in Little Rock, AR, has signed a National Letter of Intent to play basketball for Baylor University. The 6 foot 1 guard had several other offers from Arkansas, Kentucky, and Oklahoma, but said Baylor made him feel like home. As a junior, A.J. averaged 12.6 points and seven rebounds per game. He won Arkansas' Mr. Basketball award along with a 6A state title championship, and is ranked 18th best point guard in the nation by scout.com. A.J. will be a new D1 client at the Little Rock facility as he prepares for the next step in his basketball career...college! Good luck this season A.J.!

D1 Little Rock Co-Owner Wins Big in Fight

D1 Little Rock co-owner Jermain Taylor got back to his winning ways versus former Olympic teammate Jeff Lacy. Making his debut at 168 pounds, Taylor harassed and bullied his former Olympic team roommate throughout the unanimous decision victory. Joseph Pasquale had it 118-110, while Oren Schellenberger and Gale Van Hoy scored it 119-109, as did SI.com. After a cautious opening, Taylor broke Lacy down in the middle rounds with steady jabbing and a series of measured combinations. By the ninth round, having opened a comfortable advantage in points, the 30-year-old from Little Rock, Ark., assumed total command. At one point, Taylor landed five quick jabs in a three-second span. To read more, click here.

Brandon Jones Makes Big Catches for Titans

Titans wide receiver and D1 athlete, Brandon Jones, has been making big catches this season. At the halfway point, Brandon already has 27 catches for 298 yards and is only one reception away from a career high. This is all coming off a career-best eight catches in the game last Sunday against the Bears. What has motivated Brandon this season? He has still not forgotten last season's game against the Colts in which they lost by two points, and Brandon dropped a pass late in the fourth quarter that would have put the Titans in field goal position. He says he humbles himself because of that play and it makes him hungry to make every catch. Keep up the good play Brandon and congrats on the Titans' 9-0 record! Watch Brandon Jones training at D1 below.

Fourteen Year Old Takes the Racing World By Storm

Brentwood teenager and D1 athlete Logan Ruffin is quickly becoming a well known name in the racing community. He recently qualified for the Championship Racing Association by finishing 20th at the Adam Petty Memorial All American 400 at the Music City Motorplex where two D1 coaches served as honorary pit crew members. Ruffin made history in February when he became the youngest champion in the World Series of Asphalt’s 42-year history when he won three Crate Late Model races in New Smyrna Beach, Fla. Logan recently signed with Motorsports Management International which manages legendary drivers such as Kyle Busch and Tony Stewart. You can find out more about Logan and his races by visiting http://www.loganruffin.com/. Congratulations and good luck, Logan! We'll be cheering you on.

D1 Knoxville Therapy Patient Shares Inspirational Story

D1 Knoxville therapy patient, Ryan Parker, has caught several people's attention with his inspirational story. Ryan, 11 years old, is a rising star athlete in east Tennessee who has conquered foes medically and physically. He is a three-time AAU National Champion tournament wrestler with a season record of 49-0, a running back/defensive end for his youth football team, and earned the title of one of the Top 40 fastest kids in the nation for the 100-yard dash. Ryan has conquered all of this, eventhough he nearly lost his life with a MRSA staph infection in his finger. His finger swelled to double its size during a wrestling practice and he was rushed to the hospital where they diagnosed the infection and began immediate treatment which resulted in surgery on his finger to alleviate the swelling. Ryan has since recovered and has set high goals for himself...he wants to win the Triple Crown in wrestling along with becoming a four-time State Champion in high school. D1 wishes Ryan the best of luck! Click here to read more about Ryan.

D1 Hosts Open House for Special Olympic Athletes

D1 Little Rock will host an exclusive Open House for Special Olympic athletes on Sunday, November 16 from 2-4pm at the facility located at 10 Viewpoint Cove. D1 coaches will be providing all Special Olympic athletes free sports training that will help them become faster, stronger, and more agile for the next Special Olympic Games. For more information contact Andre Tucker at 501.258.7653 or click to email him. Come out and support our Special Olympic athletes!

Marcus Monk Contemplates Playing Basketball at Arkansas

Marcus Monk, former Arkansas Razorback wide reciever and D1 2008 NFL Combine Athlete, is contemplating returning to Arkansas to play basketball. Marcus holds the record for most career touchdowns by a wide receiver at Arkansas, but few know about his basketball abilities. In high school, Marcus was the state basketball player of the year and played in ten games as a freshman for the Razorbacks before quiting to focus on football. Because Marcus graduated in three-and-a-half years, he still has one year of eligibility remaining for basketball. D1 looks forward to seeing Marcus on the basketball court!

Antonio Johnson Signs with Colts

Antonio Johnson, who trained at D1 for the 2005 NFL Combine, has signed a contract with the Indianapolis Colts after spending the past three years with the Titans. Johnson, a 6-3, 310 pounder, will try to work his way into playing time at the Colts' defensive end position. D1 wishes Antonio the best of luck with the Colts!

D1 Huntsville Helps Amobi Okoye Foundation

Former D1 athlete and Houston Texans defensive end, Amobi Okoye, is asking D1 and local Huntsville high schools to help his efforts in fighting hunger during Thanksgiving. The Amobi Okoye Foundation is hosting a Tackle Hunger fundraiser that will give a "Big Sack Award" to the high school that collects the most food. The goal for the Thanksgiving Holiday is to raise sufficient food to feed 500 families. Lets help Amobi Okoye and his efforts to stop hunger in the Huntsville area! Bring your canned food by D1 Huntsville's facility or call 866-998-4203 if you would like to make a monetary contribution.

D1 Athlete Making Knoxville Proud

WBIR in Knoxville captured the dedication of Carlene Steenekamp as she works out at D1. Carlene works to keep her body in competition shape for figure competitions. She just started competing this year and didn't start until after having her 3rd child. Carlene has competed 3 times so far. She most recently won the overall figure title at the Tennessee state bodybuilding and figure championships in Murfreesboro. Click here to learn more about Carlene and her workouts at D1.

D1 Partners with Physiotherapy Associates

D1 and Physiotherapy Associates have announced a partnership that will bring two leaders in sports training and therapy together to help better service athletes and those trying to get stronger, faster and more agile.

In the partnership, Physiotherapy Associates, formerly VBS Physical Therapy, will occupy space at D1 Sports, located on Miller Road, right off Woodruff Road, and two blocks from The Shoppes at Greenridge. Physiotherapy Associates is one of the nation’s leading providers in the musculoskeletal outpatient rehabilitation industry.

WATE Knoxville Interviews Monica Abbott

Knoxville news station, WATE-Channel 6, came to D1 Knoxville to interview former University of Tennessee softball star and Olympic silver medalist, Monica Abbott. Monica is training for her next return to the Olympics, which she hopes will be in 2016. WATE Knoxville is helping Monica get the word out that the 2012 Olympics will not have softball, but a petition and a worldwide interest in softball could get them back for the 2016 Olympics. D1 supports these efforts and hopes to see Monica pitching in the Olympics again! Click here to see the WATE Knoxville news interview with Monica.

Habitrot 5k to Take Place at D1 Nashville

Do you want to give back on Thanksgiving and get a little exercise while doing it?? D1 Nashville will be hosting the 8th Annual Habitat for Humanity Habitrot 5k Run/Walk and Kids Fun Run on Thursday, November 27th. Funds raised during the Habitrot event will go towards affordable housing opportunities in Williamson County. To register for this event click here. D1 wishes the best of luck to all who participate!

DeAngelo Williams Rushes His Way Into Team History

Fans of D1 athlete DeAngelo Williams knew he had potential when the former Memphis star complied an NCAA record of 7,572 yards, but it looked like Williams would take a backseat when he spent his first two years with the Panthers playing backup to DeShaun Foster. After Foster's release though, he was presented with more of an opportunity to showcase those skills that made him a star in college. At the season's midpoint, Williams is on his way to becoming only the third player in team history to rush more than 1,000 yards as he already has 522 yards on 120 carries and three touchdowns.

"He's being more of a leader," fullback Brad Hoover said. "Finishing runs, doing the little things in the film room, on the field, that's made him a better player so far. The good thing is, Jonathan has seen him do these things so he's following in his footsteps. So he's making him better at the same time."

This year the Panthers are 6-0 when they rush for more than 100 yards, 0-2 when they don't. The Panthers have even occasionally snapped the ball directly to Williams. He gained 23 yards on four direct snaps against the Cardinals.

Peyton Hillis Makes Big Plays for Broncos

Peyton Hillis, 2008 D1 Combine athlete, had an impressive game Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. Hillis earned his starting spot back for the first time in four weeks as fullback for the Broncos. He was deemed the Broncos "most effective offensive weapon" in the game with his seven catches for 116 yards and one touchdown. Hillis had the two longest offensive plays of the day with a 39-yard and a 47-yard catch, and was just 21 yards shy of matching all four of the Broncos receivers' total yards. Congrats Peyton on a great game! Check out the video clip below of Peyton at D1.

Biggest Loser Workout Ramps Up at D1

Check out this video from WYFF in Greenville of Phillip working out at D1. Phillip and his wife Amy were recently knocked off of NBC's The Biggest Loser: Families. But they aren't done yet. Not only are they getting healthy, they are now working towards being THE BIGGEST LOSER at the season finale. Click here to check the video.