By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Four of the greatest student-athletes ever to put on the purple and gold and represent Tennessee Tech University have been selected to the 45th class for induction into the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame.
Whether it was taking a program to new heights, setting numerous and significant records, dazzling fans with feats of athleticism or displaying a tremendous work ethic, these four student-athletes stood above the rest to make up the Class of 2019.
This year's class includes Milos Babic (men's basketball), Lee Byrd (men's cross country/track & field), Kappy Lang (volleyball), and Robert Taylor (football).
"Every year our Hall of Fame Committee has one of the toughest jobs in choosing the most remarkable and impressive groups of student-athletes this campus has ever seen," Tech director of athletics Mark Wilson said. "Once again, they have selected a unique and incredible class that we are honored to welcome into the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame. Each of their achievements show the type of every-day effort and hard work needed to accomplish all they did throughout their careers."
The Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame will hold its 45th induction during Homecoming weekend, Nov. 8-9. The Hall of Fame Dinner will be held on Friday, Nov. 8 at 6:30 p.m. CT in the Multipurpose Room of the University Center. Tickets are available through the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office by calling 931-372-3940 or by visiting TTUSports.com. The group will also be recognized at the Homecoming football game on Saturday afternoon against Jacksonville State, which features a 1:30 p.m. kickoff.
The Class of 2019 includes:
Milos Babic | Men's Basketball | 1987-90
Babic came a long way, both figuratively and literally, to become one of the best post players in program history. Making the long journey from Kraljevo, Yugoslavia, the 7-footer sat out his freshman season while learning the English language. After overcoming that hurdle, he turned in three special seasons in the purple and gold, setting the Eblen Center record for rebounds and ranking with the third-most double-doubles in a Golden Eagle career. An All-OVC Second Team selection and the program's career blocks leader at the conclusion of his career, Babic went on to become a second-round pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 1990 NBA Draft and was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers upon the selection. He spent two seasons in the NBA and played another 13 season oversees with several teams.
Lee Byrd | Men's Cross Country/Track & Field | 1965-68
Byrd finished off his career as a two-sport athlete and one of the most decorated runners in school history. As a sophomore in 1966, the long-distance man became the first and only cross country All-American in program history. He also became the first runner in school history to earn two All-OVC honors and is the only Tech runner ever to finish in the top-eight of three straight OVC Championships. His highest finish at the OVC Championships, a second-place showing in 1966, marked the highest by a Tech runner until Gilbert Boit won the title in 2016. As a team, Tech posted its highest ranking at the OVC Championships in 1967 with Byrd leading the way to a second-place finish.
Kappy Lang | Volleyball | 2005-08
Lang easily carved her path to the Hall of Fame by becoming arguably the greatest setter in program history. She shattered numerous program marks during her career, breaking the Tech career record for assists in just three seasons. In four years, she compiled 5,084 assists, more than 1,500 more than the next closest Golden Eagle. Her single-season record of 1,585 assists ranks as the fourth-highest in OVC history while her career total ranks fifth in the league's record books. An All-OVC Tournament honoree as a junior, she took things up a notch by leading Tech to the 2008 regular season and tournament titles, earning All-OVC First Team, OVC All-Tournament and Tournament MVP accolades.
Robert Taylor | Football | 1993-96
Taylor was one of the most feared defensive backs in the OVC when he prowled the gridiron for the Golden Eagles, breaking the program's 24-year-old career record for interceptions in 1996. He tallied 22 in four seasons, including nine in his senior campaign, a total that ranked third in Tech's single-season history. He also set new program standards for pass break-ups in a season and career, defending 20 alone in 1996. After earning All-OVC Second Team honors as a junior, he jumped up to First Team honors following his incredible senior season. That same year, he was also named an All-American by The Associated Press, The Sports Network and Walter Camp, as well as the team's Robert Hill Johnson Award winner.
