By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – That last month of any season can tough, particularly when it ends in heartbreak.
For Tennessee Tech sophomore forward/defender Katie Bain, the struggles of that final month of the Golden Eagle soccer team could have brought her down. But you'd never know it. That's because she always did everything with a smile.
Bain's attitude throughout the year, but especially in the month of October, was contagious for her teammates and coaches alike. And despite battling through some nagging injuries of her own, limited playing time and an abrupt end to the 2018 campaign with a regular-season finale loss against Eastern Illinois, Bain's attitude and dedication never wavered.
Always willing to give 100 percent at practice, in the classroom or on the pitch in a match, Bain displayed a constant willingness to help more in any way possible, whether in the community, with extra team tasks or by assisting an injured teammate.
It is for these qualities and dedication that Bain is the recipient of the October 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.
Her ability to constantly put the team first and motivate her teammates clearly stood out.
"Katie was and continues to be a ray of sunshine in what was a challenging season for our team," said Tech head soccer coach Steve Springthorpe. "I love Katie's desire to see the team succeed, even when she was not on the field due to injury or coaches' decision. Katie has high character that helps our team strive for greatness."
Photo by Tony Marable
