Tyrone Beach

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
Classification/Major: Junior, Journalism & Electronic Media

My most memorable UT experience so far would have to be working as a Disc Jockey for UT’s college radio station, WUTK-FM. As a freshman I was really nervous about hosting my own show. I can remember the first time I was supposed to go on the air, I told one of my friends who in return told everybody I knew. I was given the deejay handle “DJ T-Smooth” from two of my friends, but I didn’t know how the radio listeners would react to it. I opened the show by saying, “Good Morning KnoxVegas you’re in the groove with T-Smooth.” From that point on, it was like magic. Students were calling in requesting songs and complimenting me on how well I sounded over the air, thus creating the style and swagger of my alter-ego DJ T-Smooth.

I really enjoy sports and, after my dreams of being drafted to the NBA straight out of high school were crushed, I decided I wanted to do something sports-related. I was the Editor-in-Chief of my high school yearbook and I also did the commentary for our varsity basketball games, so I had some journalism experience under my belt. When came to UT I learned about the Department of Journalism and Electronic Media in the College of Communication and Information, and heard there was a sports track for those interested in becoming sports journalists, so I decided it was the perfect match for me.

My favorite place on campus would have to be TRECS (Tennessee Recreation Center for Students). So many things happen in TRECS, especially during intramural basketball season because everybody is in there. I remember having a game on a Thursday night and there had to be at least 60 people sitting on the floor watching us play. It felt like we were playing in an NBA game!

Tyrone Beach

Contact Tyrone Beach

Student Orientation
412 Student Services Bldg.
Knoxville, TN 37996-0247
Phone: (865) 974-2435
Fax: (865) 974-1373
Email: tbeach2@utk.edu