By TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Leadership is a crucial trait for any successful team, but the ability to lead without ever taking the field is a truly special quality; one possessed by the Tennessee Tech Athletic Department's Unsung Leader for the month of November, Isabelle Austin of the Golden Eagle soccer team.
After sitting out the 2016 season a redshirt, Austin seemed ready to assume the role of back-up goalkeeper for the Golden Eagles in 2017, playing behind three-time OVC Defensive Player of the Year Kari Naerdemann. Sometimes things don't always go according to plan, however, as the redshirt freshman injurer her ACL, an ailment that required surgery and another year without the opportunity to see the pitch.
For some student-athletes, that kind of heartbreak can be devastating to deal with and lead to some seclusion from the team.
In the case of Austin, however, she chose to tackle rehab head on and become and even larger part of the team, a vocal leader.
"Isabelle has shown great leadership over the past six months while coming back from ACL surgery," Tech head coach Steve Springthorpe said. "She has not been able to showcase her playing ability to her team, nor help them on the field with her play. She has changed her role from full participant to team encourager, pushing her teammates to a higher level of play."
And the encouragement shows with success on the pitch. In 2017, the Golden Eagles set multiple school records, including goals allowed, goals against average, fewest losses, and consecutive shutouts. Tech finished 9-5-3, including a 6-1-3 mark in OVC play.
"Even in her rehab time, she has pushed Kari with her competitiveness, knowing it will only help the team and Kari to be better," Springthorpe added. "The team loves and responds well to her fun leadership style. She is and will continue to be a vital part of our team success and we all love and respect her very much."
One student-athlete each month, nominated by members of the athletics staff, is selected and recognized for exemplifying outstanding leadership qualities. 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, for a student club or organization.
This 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
