By TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Being a leader is always a challenge. Doing so while going through a coaching transition makes that role that much more difficult and important. For Tennessee Track & Field's Jordan Toney, it's just another part of her journey as a member of the Golden Eagles.
A member of Tech's 2019 Ohio Valley Conference indoor championship squad, Toney enjoyed success early in her career as a freshman. With former head coach Wayne Angel leaving for another opportunity following the 2018-19 campaign, current head man Peter Dalton took over the program and with him came the standard slew of changes that all programs going through a coaching transition do.
Toney proved to be an invaluable cog for the new regime, constantly leading by example with her incredible work ethic even as a second-year competitor.
"Jordan has been a great senior leader for the team, particularly this year," Dalton expressed. "Her selfless approach and guidance of the younger athletes has been exemplary."
As if the transition from one staff to another didn't provide enough of a challenge for the purple and gold in 2019-20, no one could have seen the team's greatest obstacle to overcome (maybe ever) coming. The cancellation of the 2020 outdoor season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Between losing both the 2020 outdoor campaign and subsequently, the 2021 indoor season, things could have appeared bleak for the program.
Leadership from the coaching staff was obviously a necessity and one handled with great care and to near perfection, but Toney's ability to step up and lead from within proved just as crucial for the program.
"She is always willing to go above and beyond for her teammates," assistant coach Kimour Bruce explained," and it is greatly appreciated by everyone involved with the program. She's constantly assisting the coaching staff in a number of ways and is always there to help her teammates with their academics."
Despite losing two full seasons of competition, Toney has kept her head up and continued to be a beacon for her fellow Golden Eagles in her final season in the purple and gold. Her behind-the-scenes work and efforts earned her the role of track captain, splitting team leader duties with throws captain Keyanna Word.
"Jordan is the type of person, both as an individual and athlete, that will have a positive impact anywhere she chooses to go in the future," Bruce added. "Her drive to excel is unmatched and we are excited to see where she lands and continues to develop into a remarkable woman."
It is for these qualities that Toney is the recipient of the 2021 March Unsung Leader Award.
The Unsung Leader Award is selected from student-athletes, who have been nominated by their coaching staff, for exemplifying outstanding leadership qualities during the past month. The leadership can be shown on the field, in the weight room, at practice, in the classroom, in study hall, on campus, in the community or for a student club or organization.
The award honors a varsity student-athlete who has made a positive impact on their team and the Tennessee Tech community as a whole, through his or her dedication to demonstrating leadership traits, such as:
- Keep learning, growing and improving
- Follow through with excellence
- Accomplish more than expected
- Inspire and motivate others
Photo by Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information