By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. – Frank Omiyale leaves such an impact on everyone who meets him. Granted, in his days as an offensive lineman for Tennessee Tech and in the National Football League for the Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears and Seattle Seahawks, that's what he was trained to do.
Walking into T.W. Hunter Middle School on Friday morning and listening to the glowing words of appreciation and what he means to the student body and faculty at the school, you could tell they were excited to have the opportunity to show their gratitude for one of their own.
Omiyale has been working with special education students at the school as well as embarking on his own coaching career as an assistant coach with the Hunter Buccaneers. A servant-leader, Omiyale has been the epitome of what Tennessee Tech student-athletes – and graduates, for that matter – aspire to be.
It was only fitting on Friday morning as the Hunter Middle students were celebrating their own with their annual awards ceremony, the University, with some planning from his wife Molly, was able to honor Omiyale for his efforts.
Friday morning, Omiyale was awarded both the Tennessee Tech Athletics Outstanding Alumni Award and the University Alumni Association's Outstanding Service Award and he got to celebrate with a few hundred of his closest friends – the students and faculty at T.W. Hunter.
It was hard to ignore the excited faces. Nearly everyone present spoke in glowing detail about what Omiyale has meant to them. Students came up after the presentation to shake his hand or get a picture with him.
A 2015 inductee into the Tennessee Tech Sports Hall of Fame, Omiyale put together a pretty impressive resume before being drafted by the Falcons in the 2005 NFL Draft in the fifth round. The Nashville native from Whites Creek High School put together an eight-year career in the NFL, retiring before the 2013 season.
A two-time All-Ohio Valley Conference selection, Omiyale joined the Golden Eagles in 2001 and immediately made an impact before an injury kept him out of the final eight games that season. In 2002, he was one of two Tech O-linemen to start all-12 games, helping block for quarterback Robert Craft and running back Jason Ballard as the duo put together incredible seasons.
Behind his leadership in 2003, Omiyale took part in 745 plays that season, collecting 135 blocks with 16 touchdown blocks, allowing just three QB hurries and one sack. He graded out at 88.7 for the season, including a 95-percent effort against Chattanooga.
In 2004, Omiyale was considered one of the top linemen in the OVC, earning first-team honors in the conference, then garnered all-East Region and all-America honors by Don Hansen's Football Gazette. In 800 plays that season, Omiyale did not allow a hurry or a sack, grading out at 90.5 percent on the year with a nearly perfect game at Samford.
As his collegiate career came to a close, he started 34 consecutive games among 39 career contests.
He was an easy selection for Tech Athletics' Man of the Year in 2005.
Following the conclusion of his pro career, Omiyale came back to Tennessee Tech to finish his education, earning his degree in 2015 in marketing.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
