By TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – While most people probably assume that the veterans of any athletic program are instantly the leaders, that may not always be the case. When it comes to the Tennessee Tech women's golf program, however, it most certainly rings true behind the guidance of fifth-year senior Gittle Sciolis.
"Gittle has been such an amazing contributor to the team this past year," said Tech head coach Amanda Smith. "She decided to take a fifth year to help the team accomplish winning a championship. She truly makes this team so much better and is selfless doing so."
Looking out for her teammates' welfare has always been a staple of who Sciolis is at her core, and that care exceeds past the times spent on the golf course.
"One of our players struggled with an injury this year, and it took a hard toll on her mentally," Smith explained. "Gittle made it a point to check in on this player and make sure she was on the right track and okay."
And while Sciolis has always been one to lead by example through her work ethic and approach to the game both mentally and on the course itself, she has really taken off as a leader in her swan song in Cookeville. Twice this year she has earned Ohio Valley Conference Women's Golfer of the Week honors, the first two of her lengthy career, including after the team's match-play event to open the spring in mid-February.
"I have seen Gittle grow up in her five years in Cookeville, not only as a leader, but also as an amazing mentor to the players in our program," Smith added. "I am grateful for all the help that she has given to both myself and her teammates. Gittle has truly helped shape this culture into what it is today."
It is for these qualities and dedication that Sciolis is the recipient of the 2024 February Unsung Leader Award presented by Golden Oak Sedation Dental & Implant Center.
The Unsung Leader Award is selected from student-athletes who have been nominated by their coaching staff or members of the TTU Athletics Department for exemplifying outstanding leadership qualities during a given 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 Raven Guilford
