By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Motivated, proactive and determined.
Those are pretty good words to describe Tennessee Tech junior defensive tackle Anthony Akers, who has proven time and time again how much of a leader he has been for the Golden Eagle football team.
Akers may not be the most outspoken member of the team, but he doesn't have to be. He leads by example and serves as a beacon for his teammates to follow.
The Murfreesboro native's efforts off the gridiron certainly haven't gone unnoticed in his own field of study as Akers was recently named the winner of the College of Education's Go-Getter Award.
"I'm honored," Akers said. "Humbled, really, to be thought of in that way by people that I hold in such high regard. I'm excited and proud to receive the award."
Nominations were made among the College of Education's 1,300-plus undergraduate students, and a selection committee selected Akers for the award, which recognizes the ability to take initiative, to be proactive and curious, to exceed expectations, to be self-motivated and innovative and to eagerly complete tasks.
And that seems to fit Akers perfectly – and a lot of those attributes come from his athletic background as he strives to get better as he tries to achieve a shared goal.
"Definitely," he said. "When I started football, it wasn't just to come out here and go through the motions. You're out here to get things done. That's what I live my life on."
Akers has shown in so many ways that he follows that belief, and it has been recognized by many within the College of Education as well.
"In our advisement meetings, I ask students to respond to two basic questions," said Kara Phillips, academic advisor in the College of Education Student Success Center. "What are your goals for this semester and the semesters to come?"
Akers responded -- to finish with a 4.0 GPA, to become an all-Ohio Valley Conference defensive lineman, to participate in a community service project over the break, and to become a leader in the community.
But the second question Phillips asked – "What steps are you taking to reach the goals?" – show that Akers was willing to do what was needed. The junior replied that he would stay focused on academics, work every day like he is the best at what he does, reach out to community leaders and be a leader on the football team.
The leadership aspect has certainly been there. Receiving a single-digit number during the past two seasons, awarded by a team vote by the players for the ones they deemed the toughest and best leaders among their lot, was a tremendous honor.
And it certainly isn't easy balancing the hectic load of athletic work, academic responsibilities and even the social time that comes along with being a student-athlete.
"If you want to do it, if you love it, then it's easy," Akers said. "It's also not for everybody, so you've got to love it. It's a challenge, but it can be done. If I can do it, anyone can do it."
Akers also displays other characteristics that aren't necessarily covered by the award's criteria but shows that he is a model for students and student-athletes alike.
"Anthony is incredibly respectful," Phillips wrote. "(He) always refers to me as 'ma'am,' shows up to advisement meetings on time and prepared. He communicates effectively and is very mature.
Even as the latest season was a trying time for Akers and his teammates, they found a way to persevere as they dug deep to find motivation to keep going, a can-do attitude and a willingness to never give up.
"I am always impressed with Anthony after our advisement meetings and find myself inspired by his attitude," Phillips said.
Still, there are always factors that drives people to strive for excellence and high achievement. Akers is definitely no exception as he wants to be the best he can for a special person in his life.
When asked who or what inspired him, Akers said, "The first thing that comes to mind is my mom, my family, God. I'd be here all day telling you all kinds of things, but my mom Is definitely number one in that."
