Big Al was WLAF’s play-by-play announcer for La Follette Owls Basketball

Coach Al Rotella (left) is shown in this 2000 photo taken at Al Rotella Stadium on the La Follette Middle School campus.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Sign-ups are available for the inaugural Coach Al Rotella Memorial Golf Tournament with proceeds benefiting the Tally Town Festival and the La Follette Middle School.

The tournament is set for Thursday, August 1, at the La Follette Country Club, and you can sign-up at the Country Club by calling 423-562-9130. It is $65 per person or $200 for a team. 

Former La Follette Football Coach Al Rotella

Coach Rotella played for the Tennessee Vols in the 1940s (1942, 1946-47) for legendary Coach Robert Neyland. Big Al moved to La Follette as an assistant football coach the Owls football team. He became head coach in 1952 and led the team to an undefeated season.  While living here he frequented the Tally Town area of La Follette enjoying the Italian camaraderie and cooking-up some of his signature, hot spaghetti.  The football stadium — currently used by the La Follette Middle School — is named for him, and the Fieldhouse is named for another Tally Town figure who played for Rotella, Leland Lobertini.

Jamie Rotella, Al’s son, spent his early years in La Follette and went on to star at Tennessee. The younger Rotella was an All-American linebacker for the Vols in 1972.

This event is presented by the Campbell County Historical Society.

Find out more by visiting the Tally Town Festival Facebook page. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 07/01/2024-6AM)

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