By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – When Anna Cooper was a student-athlete and nutrition major at Tennessee Tech, a cause near and dear to her heart was making sure the children of the Upper Cumberland area didn't go hungry.
Essential to that mission is the Anna Cooper's Backpack Buddies initiative, named after the former Golden Eagle track and field and cross country student-athlete who helped initiate the program during the 2016-17 year and was a vital part of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee's outreach efforts.
She passed away after a battle with cancer in June 2019 and the program was rededicated in her honor.
On Tuesday, over 250 bags of nutritious snack options were created by SAAC members and will be distributed to children and their families.
"Anna's mission still means so much to all of us in Tennessee Tech Athletics," said Mandy Thatcher, Tech Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator, as well as SAAC faculty advisor. "In her honor, we continue to work toward her vision and, though SAAC's efforts, we continue to take a step closer."
