Steve Early has served as Vice President and General Manager for Host Communications' University of Tennessee property (a.k.a. the Vol Network) since February 2004. In July 2006, HOST's Tennessee Division was awarded an exclusive 10-year rights contract to manage all facets of the Volunteers and Lady Vols marketing and broadcast portfolio. The new agreement continues a two decade HOST tradition of serving Tennessee's multi-media interests. Early began his Vol Network career in 1991 when he joined Host Communications as an account executive responsible for new business development. Two years later he was appointed to General Sales Manager where he enjoyed a highly successful 11-year stint alongside long-time mentor and former Vol Network GM Edwin Huster. His appointment as Vice President and General Manager fulfilled a life long dream to manage the sports network he idolized as a youth. Early was born and raised in Knoxville and is an honors graduate of the University of Tennessee (B.S. 1987).