COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Ask any coach, and they will be the first to acknowledge the important role a strong strength and conditioning program plays in any winning program. Coach Matt Hewett, Tennessee Tech's Director of Athletic Performance, took over the reins as the strength coach for women's basketball in the spring of 2018, and his impact was felt immediately.
Tech women's basketball head coach Kim Rosamond and her staff are quick to acknowledge how Hewett's work with their program has been an integral part of their success over the last five years and a catalyst for the 2022-23 championship season. Hewett's experience and expertise are vital components to the continued development of an elite athletic program at Tennessee Tech.
The Iron Eagle Award was one of the ways Hewett helped encourage healthy competition and pride in the weight room, and it is a prestigious honor within the team culture.
"The Iron Eagle Award embodies the essence of the Tennessee Tech Women's Basketball program," Hewett said. "The high level of standards that Tennessee Tech Women's Basketball and what it takes to be an Iron Eagle go hand in hand. It takes hard work and dedication inside and outside of the weight room to achieve this award. This summer, we had three players who excelled to that level."
The Iron Eagle Award is based on the individual's strength and athletic ability, utilizing seven different strength and power tests with a scaled metric grade for each test. To earn the honor of being an "Iron Eagle", players must earn a combined score of 92.5 to 100 in the seven areas.
The team recently held its annual competition at the end of summer workouts. The 2023 "Iron Eagle" award winners are sophomore Reghan Grimes, sophomore Jenn Sullivan and graduate transfer Yaubryon Chambers.
Grimes, Sullivan and Chambers had outstanding summers in the weight room and are looking forward to their hard work paying off on the court for the Golden Eagles this season.
"Reghan Grimes had an extremely impressive offseason," Hewett said. "She was able to be back after off-season surgery and, within two months, be back and be stronger than ever. Reghan still has a very high ceiling for growth in the weight room. I'm really excited to see her continue to excel this season."
It is the second straight honor for Grimes, who was recognized as a true freshman, while Sullivan and Chambers earn their first recognitions.
"Jenn really has been a standout this offseason," Hewett said. "She would win a 'most improved award' in the weight room. Her attitude and competitiveness have really driven her to be one of the best in the weight room. Yaubryon brings a great attitude and effort into each workout. She is really competitive and a driving force in the weight room. Ya has been a great addition to the team."
Now in his 11th year at Tennessee Tech, Hewett took over as Director of Athletic Performance in 2018. With his staff, Hewett has helped mold Golden Eagle student-athletes and prepare them for the rigorous demands of their sports. He personally knows what it takes to make champions, as he competed with CrossFit Mayhem Freedom to win 3 CrossFit Games Affiliate Cup Championships from 2015-2018. He also brought home a 2nd place finish in that time, but in the spirit of true competition he says, "We don't talk about Bruno."
Fans can get their first glimpse of the 2023-24 roster during the Annual "Biscuits and Basketball" event that will be held on Saturday, October 14.
