Jul. 28, 2026
University of Tennessee (UT) Press on July 28 officially released its first children’s picture book: “My Magic Tux: A Big Orange Story of Courage and Confidence.”
Based on a true story covered by ESPN, “My Magic Tux” is authored by J. R. Greene, also known in Rocky Top lore as the “Big Orange Tux Guy,” who ran onto the field with the UT football team while donning an orange-and-white tuxedo at the 1998 national championship game.
Greene, dubbed the “ultimate party crasher” in ESPN’s coverage, worked with coauthor and storyteller Joe Shands and award-winning illustrator Nicholas Childs to create the first children’s picture book ever published by UT Press and the first title in the academic press’s new children’s publishing program.
The book shares a story of courage, confidence and being yourself, perfect for preschool- and elementary school-aged children and readers of all ages.
“I was a 24-year-old student working on my master’s degree at UT,” Greene said. “My family had season tickets going back to the 1930s when my great-grandfather, John T. O’Connor – nicknamed “Punch” from his Irish boxing roots – was the mayor of Knoxville. Needless to say, I never planned on being on that field in Tempe, Arizona, for the Fiesta Bowl, but that is what happened. I became the Big Orange Tux Guy, and this book is a reminder how one brave moment can change everything.
“My hope is that young readers are equally inspired – to believe in themselves, embrace what makes them different and discover the magic they can create in their own lives.”
“My Magic Tux” is the No. 1 pre-selling book in the history of UT Press. It’s available in bookstores and online and in both hardcover and ebook formats. Book proceeds and 100% of Greene’s royalties will support UT Libraries to help fund literacy, education and lifelong learning, as well as the planned future development of a new charitable entity and awards program focused on supporting courage and confidence in children.
Historically, the University of Tennessee Press has specialized in publishing scholarly books, so this expansion into children’s literature represents a new opportunity to reach all Tennesseans.
“UT’s land-grant mission includes a commitment to lifelong learning, and books are the gateway for young children to become curious and lifelong readers,” UT Press Director Katie Hannah said. “Publishing children’s books like My Magic Tux provides UT Press an avenue to reach new audiences and introduce them to the full catalog of our work, which preserves and promotes the rich cultural and intellectual heritage of Tennessee and the region. We’re excited about this foray into children’s literature that, combined with our traditional program of scholarly and regional-interest publications, allows us to cultivate the Volunteer experience for readers of all ages.”
Set against a checkerboard backdrop of Vol legend and beautifully illustrated, “My Magic Tux” is a collector’s item as a unique tête-bêche book – French for “head-to-tail” – featuring a binding style that combines two books into one. Once readers finish the first half of the story, they flip the book over at “halftime” to read the second half.
At the book launch on UT campus on July 28, UT Press leadership, Greene and additional UT staff and alumni celebrated the book – and met a new mascot, Tuxie, based on the book’s main character. Tuxie visited with children and fans in attendance, who also enjoyed a read-aloud story time of “My Magic Tux” with author Greene at the nearby UT’s John C. Hodges Library.
“One of the most memorable experiences in my life was running onto the field with the Vols football team for the national championship game,” Greene said. “Publishing a book about that story is now one of my greatest experiences because children can read it and realize they can do anything.”
Information about the book is available at mymagictux.com. Fans and readers can follow Tuxie on social media via @mymagictux on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Pinterest.
About University of Tennessee Press
The University of Tennessee Press is the Volunteer State’s book publisher, committed to preserving and promoting the rich cultural and intellectual heritage of Tennessee and the region. Through its focused publishing program, UT Press strives to deepen appreciation for the communities, ecosystems, and histories that make the state unique. Its mission is to enlighten readers, foster cultural dialogue, and improve the quality of life for the people of Tennessee and around the world. UT Press is a division of the University of Tennessee Libraries.
Website: utpress.org
