Football

Weekly Roundup: This week’s sports stories at a glance

Tech’s EXPW program waits for approval on expansion plans

Tech’s exercise science, physical education and wellness department is looking to expand in the near future and are waiting for Tech’s approval.

For long-term aspects, the department has been speaking with the local hospitals and the human ecology department to make plans for expanding programs such as physical therapy and occupational therapy. The demand for these two programs is growing nationally.

Also, the demand for enrolling in physical therapy and occupational therapy courses at Tech is rising. EXPW is also looking to add a graduate program in PT and OT, by Fall 2012.

Another change the department is considering is changing the coaching and sport administration degree to a minor, to allow non-EXPW department majors, who would like to coach, to take classes and get this as a minor.

Tech currently offers the following undergraduate programs in the EXPW department: Coaching and Sport Administration, Fitness and Wellness, Pre-Physical Therapy, Pre-Occupational Therapy and K-12 Teacher Licensure.

Coach Watson Brown excited about incoming recruits: “best class”

TThe Tech football team signed 24 new players on National Signing Day, Feb. 1.

“We’re excited about this group,” said Head Couch Watson Brown, “Each class gets a little stronger, and this is the best one we’ve had. We were able to meet the immediate needs that we went after.”

The 2012 recruiting class is a lineman-heavy class, with 11. The Golden Eagles are losing seven linemen this year and three more next year, leaving several positions for filling over the next couple of seasons.

Brown said he is also excited that 18 of the 24 signees are from Tennessee.

One in-state lineman signee was offensive tackle Brent Dillard from Mount Juliet, Tenn. Dillard, a Tennessee Mr. Football Finalist, was heavily recruited by other schools on Tech’s level, but chose to play for the Golden Eagles.

Dillard was not available for an interview, but mentioned via e-mail his feelings on coming to play for Tech:

“I chose Tech because I knew it was a great school, with a great football program. I felt that the coaches and the players were the type of people that I would like to be around for the next four to five years. And I am just relieved that the signing is over and I know where I will be spending the next few years of my life.”

In addition to linemen making up almost half of the recruiting class, Tech signed three receivers, two safeties, two quarterbacks, two linebackers, two running backs, one cornerback and one punter/kicker. They also signed three players from Georgia and one each from Alabama, Ohio, and California.

Jared Davis is one of the quarterbacks signed. He was also a highly recruited player by many schools on Tech’s level throughout the South and also chose Tech over all other offers.

For more information, visit www.TTUsports.com.

Football awards dinner this Sunday, open to public

The Tennessee Tech football team will gather Sunday afternoon, Feb. 12, for head coach Watson Brown to present the team’s annual awards, and the public is invited to attend the 2 p.m. event in the Roaden University Center. The cost of the dinner is $16 per person.

In addition to a public recognition of the team’s success, Brown will announce the winners of the Robert Hill Johnson Award and several additional honors for the 2011 Golden Eagles including the Sonny Allen Leadership Award, the Unsung Hero Award, the Tech Pride Award and MVP honors by position. Brown will also announce the 2011 permanent team captains.

The event will also feature a behind-the-scenes video showing some team highlights and activities that have not been previously seen by the public.

The Golden Eagles finished one of the most successful year’s in program history by capturing the school’s 10th OVC championship, appearing in the FCS Playoffs for the first time, and placing in the Top 25 of all thre final FCS polls.

Tennis team has match rescheduled

Tech’s men’s tennis game against Gardner-Webb scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday has been postponed and has been rescheduled for April 11th, at 1 p.m. For more information, visit TTUSports.com.