Lydia Aguilar, Joey’s mother, displays on whirlwind of a 12 months as season winds down

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – The common season finale is Saturday for Tennessee soccer because the Volunteers are set to tackle in-state rivals, Vanderbilt.

It can even be Senior Day for Tennessee, and amongst these seniors being acknowledged is quarterback Joey Aguilar. Aguilar bought to Tennessee on the finish of May and labored tirelessly all summer time lengthy to show himself to Vol Nation within the season opener towards Syracuse, which he did, throwing for 247 yards and three touchdowns within the win.

Before Tennessee followers purchased into Joey, they immediately purchased into Joey’s household, particularly his mom, Lydia. She grow to be a fan favourite by means of social media earlier than Vol Nation may even meet her in individual. When requested about her favourite interactions with Vol Nation, Lydia mentioned there are too many to rely.

“I think what is funny is that they see me as like a celebrity or something, I’m just the mom,” Aguilar mentioned. “I’m just the mom that is going along, riding along this journey with my son, but I think it is so cool they really are like so into the parents of these players as well.”

Even the interactions and assist Lydia receives on social media from Tennessee followers doesn’t go unnoticed.

“It’s been fun. It means a lot because these people are just invested in what you’re thinking, your son, and just your everyday life,” Lydia mentioned. “It is just fun to interact with people.”

It has definitely been a memorable previous seven months for the Aguilars. From considering Joey could be enjoying on the West Coast this fall at UCLA, to shortly coming again to the East Coast to Tennessee after two years at Appalachian State. Lydia mentioned she would have by no means imagined a 12 months in the past at this time they might be within the place they’re now.

“It has been exciting, fun, overwhelmingly amazing, if that is even a word,” Lydia mentioned. “Time flies when you are having fun. It seems like just yesterday we started and here we are the last game.”

Joey will participate within the Senior Day ceremonies, one thing Lydia mentioned she hoped he would do. It could be the second senior day for Joey after strolling throughout App State’s final season. Walking again inside Neyland Stadium for the final time on Saturday is one thing Lydia mentioned she has not considered an excessive amount of.

“I have not really thought about it because I don’t really want to think about it,” Lydia mentioned. “It’s the last game, and it’s a bittersweet moment. I am happy where we have gone. I am happy that we have been here, but it is his last game. We do not know what is going to happen in the future, but I am excited; this is a big, huge game. I am excited for him, but I haven’t really, really thought about it.”

Joey would possibly have the ability to return to Rocky Top subsequent season. Just final week, Joey joined a lawsuit with Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia attempting to do away with the NCAA juco eligibility rule.

Related Coverage: Tennessee’s Joey Aguilar joins lawsuit towards NCAA over JUCO rule for additional 12 months of eligibility

Another 12 months in Knoxville is one thing Lydia would love for her son to have.

“It would be fun.” Lydia mentioned. “It would be just another ride, let’s do it again. I am sure there is some unfinished business that people want to get taken care of with certain games and stuff, but it is just let’s right, let’s do it again.”

Lydia and the remainder of the Aguilar household will probably be entrance row Saturday afternoon inside Neyland Stadium cheering on Joey and the remainder of the Volunteers within the common season finale towards Vanderbilt. Kickoff is about for 3:30 pm ET on ESPN.

Copyright 2025 WVLT. All rights reserved.