COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Five former student-athletes who stamped
their marks on five different Golden Eagle programs will be
enshrined into the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame in November
as the school honors its athletic legacy with the 40th annual
induction ceremony.
The 2014 Hall of Fame Class will be honored during Homecoming weekend, Nov. 7-8. The induction will take place at the Hall of Fame Dinner Friday evening, and the group will also recognized at the Homecoming football game Saturday, Nov. 8, against Southeast Missouri.
The former athletes to be honored in 2014 come from the baseball, volleyball, football, rifle and softball programs. This year’s inductees are:
- Casey Benjamin was a two-time all-OVC first-team selection as a record-setting member of the Golden Eagle baseball team, selected as Tech's Outstanding Male Athlete of the Year in 2003, and helped the team to an OVC Tournament title and an NCAA Regional appearance. He followed his Tech career with an eight-year career in professional baseball, including several years within the Texas Rangers organization.
- Stephanie Busch Warren was a four-year letterwinner on the Golden Eagle volleyball team from 1997-2000 and made a lasting impact on the record books, including blocking records that stand today. She helped her team to its first-ever OVC Tournament Championship and first NCAA appearance, and was a four-time all-OVC selection.
- Howard Cochran was a four-year letterman on the football team from 1969-72 and a first-team all-OVC selection at guard. The leader on the offensive line for the Golden Eagles, his play helped set school and conference offensive records while also capturing an Ohio Valley Conference championship. He was drafted into the NFL by the Philadelphia Eagles and played five seasons of pro football with the Eagles and the Jacksonville Sharks of the World Football League.
- Dr. Aaron Hupman was one of
the early members of the Tennessee Tech rifle team who were the
foundation for building a program which emerged as the best in the
nation. Earning NRA All-America honors for three consecutive years
from 1971 to 1973, Hupman helped Tech win two NRA national team
championships and also won an NRA individual national crown.
- LeeAnn Mongar Shurette was a four-year starter and three-time first-team all-OVC selection on the Golden Eagle softball team, helping capture two OVC championships and play in two NCAA Tournaments. In addition to her on-field success as one of the most feared hitters in the OVC and the region, she was also a two-time Academic All-America selection.
In-depth information on each of the inductees will be announced in October as the ceremony approaches.
Tickets to the Hall of Fame Dinner and the Homecoming football game are available by calling (931) 372-3940, or through the Athletics ticket office in Eblen Center. Reservations must be made for the dinner, and tickets are $25 each.
