Written by Miquel Ortiz and Lilly Davis.
When students are introduced to Tech, they are told of the story of the four golden eagles that used to soar around campus. These eagles ignited the idea for the university’s symbol, the Golden Eagle.
Since 1925, Tech’s Golden Eagle has been the symbol of the university, and over the past 100 years as the university has evolved, so has the Golden Eagle moniker.
Tech’s mascot has had various name and outfit changes throughout the decades, and until the 1960’s, the mascot did not wear a costume, but was portrayed by a student who symbolized the spirit of the Golden Eagle, the first being Frank Hudgens.
The first iteration of the costumed eagle would be seen during sporting events wearing a gold football shirt with two black T’s, along with feathered pants, a beak and talons, often referred to as the “Tech Eagle.” The character would later be known as Tommy Tech, in the early 1970’s, due to the two T’s on the mascot’s shirt.
In 1975, the Tech Eagle would adapt and gain a bit of an edge, inspired by the popular daredevil entertainer Evel Knievel, and come to be known as “Evil Eagle.” Evil Eagle would perform motorcycle stunts on the football field, and hi-jinks on the basketball court. This mascot iteration would later come out as “Evil Eaglette,” worn by Elayne Hayes, as Tech’s first female mascot.
The university in 1990 debuted the current Golden Eagle moniker, known as “Awesome Eagle.” Awesome was unveiled during a football game where a truck delivered him on the field of Tucker Stadium to an adoring crowd
Soon after Awesome made his debut, “Grandpappy Eagle,” Awesome’s senior version, was introduced and worn alongside Awesome around campus.
During Homecoming 2024, Tech Alum and former Awesome Eagle from 1991-1995, Brad Dozier, came back to dawn as Grandpappy in honor of 100 years.
Awesome’s birthday is celebrated every year on Feb. 14. This year’s milestone of the 100th Birthday Bash was a hit provided with music by a local DJ, cupcakes, door prizes, free icecream and more to the student body. Students had a blast hanging out, dancing and taking photos with Awesome.
“Take time to appreciate the Golden Eagle, what it means to us, and what it’s meant to Tennessee Tech for 100 years,” stated Tech President Phil Oldham at the party.
Today, images of Awesome Eagle can be found throughout campus on walls, but the Golden Eagle symbol can be found around Tech’s campus in ways other than the mascot.
In 1976, a taxidermy golden eagle was presented to the university and still can be seen today showcased in the Hooper Eblen Center.
In 2013, Tech Alum Charlie Hawkins donated a 1,500-pound cast iron eagle statue to the university, which is found on the lawn in Walton Park.
A year later, Hawkins donated a 75-pound replica of the eagle to Tech Athletics, and it is rolled out before every football game during the “Golden Eagle Walk” bringing the football team onto the field.
In 1952, spirited Tech students conducted a heist and stole a golden eagle statue from a hotel in Monteagle, Tennessee, bringing it to campus. Since 2015, a brown colored replica has sat in the Tech Tucker Stadium, and as of 2016, a replica statue of the 6-foot wingspan golden eagle has atop Derryberry Hall, for all students to see.
Tech students embrace the Golden Eagle spirit with the “Wings Up” hand gesture, which was officially recognized in 2018 by Oldham.
Most recently, Tech Alumni Abby Ramaker and Millie Hall, have been working on a mural on campus in honor of a century of the Golden Eagle. This mural includes four golden eagles, a tribute to the historical story of the golden eagles that started it all.
For the past 100 years the Golden Eagle has been a special treasure to Tech. Here’s to the next golden century.
