By TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Marcia Borys helped shape the Tennessee Tech athletics department, helping set the stage for what the programs have become today.
For her efforts, she will be inducted on Friday, Oct. 21, into the 42nd class of the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame, along with Lori Bayless (softball), Jillian Burns Elliott (women's soccer), Emily Christian Hughes (women's basketball) and Allison Clark (women's basketball).
The event, held at the Roaden University Center, is part of Tech's Homecoming festivities.
For more than 25 years, Marcia Borys was a vital member of the Tennessee Tech Athletics staff, climbing to a level where she was considered the essential engine that kept Tennessee Tech Athletics operating financially and thriving.
A native of Cookeville, she spent five years in Tech's Business Office before joining the athletics staff in 1976. Originally in the role of Administrative Assistant for Business and Finance, she held that post for 10 years under former Director of Athletics and head football coach Don Wade. She continued in that capacity with a variety of titles, working for three years under former A.D. Dave Coffey, and for 15 years under Vice President for Administration/Planning and A.D. David Larimore. She was eventually promoted to the position of Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator, and held the responsibility for day-to-day operations of the Department of Athletics. She combined a vision of what needed to be done with a professional expertise to know how to fund and make it happen.
According to former TTU President Angelo Volpe, "There was no doubt in my mind that the Athletics Department stretched a dollar farther than any other unit on campus." He said that was primarily due to Marcia's budget management and financial strategy.
Her role was far larger than finances, however. Her leadership successfully guided the University through several Title IX reviews and eventual national recognition by the National Women's Sports Foundation for successfully reaching the ultimate goal of compliance with Title IX gender equity standards, a goal that few institutions have reached.
With her guidance, the university added women's sports teams in softball, indoor and outdoor track and field, cross country and soccer. She carved out from meager department resources the money necessary to hire coaches, provide travel and supplies, create facilities, and give those fledgling programs a chance to succeed.
She represented the university at Ohio Valley Conference and NCAA meetings and with the appropriate TTU representatives to review, discuss and decide on legislation put forth by the OVC and the NCAA.
In 1993, she won Tennessee Tech's Outstanding Professional Award. Upon her retirement from the University in 2001 after 30 years, she was recognized by the OVC for Outstanding Service and Dedication to Tennessee Tech and the conference.
In 2002, she was selected as the Woman of the Year by the Cookeville Business and Professional Women. She has been elected to three consecutive terms as the Putnam County Court Clerk. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee Local Government Leadership Program for city and county officials, and has also graduated from Leadership Putnam, Citizens' Fire Academy and Citizens' Police Academy. She has served as a board member on the Police Athletic League, the TSSAA Blue Cross Bowl Facility Management team, Leisure Services Advisory Committee and the Clean Commission Board of Directors.
Tickets to the Hall of Fame Dinner and Homecoming football game against Southeast Missouri are available through the Athletics ticket office in the Hooper Eblen Center or by calling (931) 372-3940. Reservations must be made for the dinner, with tickets set for $25 each. The dinner will take place in the Multipurpose Room of the Roaden University Center on the TTU campus beginning at 6:30 p.m. CT.
