More About the XX3 Gang
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If you enjoyed reading about the friends who tailgate together and have season tickets together in Neyland Stadium Section XX3 (link to story), here’s more about them and some other members of the group.
In addition to Nemo Larmore, Andy Dishner, Joel Burt, Mike O’Shaughnessy, Dave Wilds, and Stacey Hamilton (all quoted in the original Torchbearer article), other friends and relatives are part of the gang: Jessica Wilds (’94, ’99 nursing), Todd Presnell (’99 business), Stephanie Presnell (’91 business), Rick Lunsford (’92 business), Joey Charlton, Philip Dishner, Dianna Cantler, and Laura Knight O’Shaughnessy (91 engineering).
The group came to the attention of Torchbearer thanks to Debbie Ingram (’94), president of the UT National Alumni Association. Debbie and her family have season tickets in XX3 and are “adopted” members of the group.
“We all long for friendships that last a lifetime,” Ingram says. “This group of crazy guys met in a college dorm and have remained true friends to each other. They are also very loyal to this university in that they plan their vacations and trips around UT athletic events.”
Torchbearer asked if any of the gang have pre-game superstitions.
- “After attending my first game in ’82 I was hooked. I always wear a hat. Once I forgot to wear one….WE LOST.”—Andy Dishner
- “We are superstitious but mainly about not being too cocky before big games. We feel that if you talk too much trash you will jinx the Vols. Some of our group [Andy Dishner] have not accepted this concept and drive us crazy.”—Nemo Larmore
- “I wear the same hat for Bama games, but it’s falling apart so I may have to change.”—Joel Burt
- “One year I bought a Halloween-themed orange shirt that had a picture of a bat and said ‘battitude.’ I went around during the tailgate bragging about how UT had battitude and how this was a good luck shirt. I believe we got creamed that night by Georgia. Most of the guys strongly advised I not wear that shirt ever again.”—Stacey Hamilton
- “You always have to wear orange and be prepared to get loud!”—Dave Wilds
The group members have traveled to UT football games all over the country and often vacation together. Joel Burt and Stacey Hamilton are god parents to the Larmores’ eldest son, Townsend.
“Although Townsend takes after his father and his father’s friends in taking the outcome of the football games a little too seriously, he is a joy to be around and a true Vol fan,” Stacey says.
The ties that bind the group are many, Andy Disher says.
“The games and the tailgating are just an extension of who we are. We are woven together.”
Ian and Townsend Larmore