by Thomas Corhern
Cookeville Herald-Citizen
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- In college athletics, it's not just about
being the best athlete or the best student as one can be.
Sometimes, the important thing is to just go out and have a little
fun.
Throughout this recent campaign, senior Tennessee Tech golfer Josh
Simer made that a priority. With that, Simer had a breakout year on
the course, as well as perfect scores in the classroom and a busy
schedule of giving his time back to the community.
Through those efforts, Simer was selected as the winner for the
2010 Tennessee Tech Man of the Year award.
Simer had some tough competition for the award, including Taylor
Askew (football), Frank Davis (basketball), Lee Henry (baseball),
Tate McMillan (baseball), Elijah Muhammad (basketball) and Jarrad
Read (cross country).
"It's a great honor," Simer said. "I know was a finalist with
several other outstanding athletes, and certainly being selected as
the winner among those guys is pretty neat.
"It's really been a great year from start to finish. I went through
this season with a different mind-set and it was more about having
fun on the golf course. I will definitely concede that it wasn't my
play on the golf course that have gotten me most of my accolades --
it's been in the classroom, and I've focused on that my entire
career."
Simer is the first winner of the Man of the Year award from the
men's golf program. Previous winners include: Ben Holt (1993,
baseball), Mike Kinney (1994, baseball), Willie Queen (1995,
football), Gerald Bentley (1996, football), Robert Taylor (1997,
football), Jeff Norman (1998, football), T.J. Christian (1999,
football), Wes Gallagher (2000, football), Larrie Smith (2001,
basketball), Grant Swallows (2002, football), Brent Jolly (2003,
basketball), Luis Aguerrevere (2004, tennis), Brett Vavra (2005,
football), David McMahan (2006, football), Anthony Ash (2007,
football), Thomas Nelson (2008, baseball) and Bradley Thompson
(2009, football).
"When I started and took over the team two years ago after (former
Tech golf coach) Bobby (Nichols') passing, I inherited the best 15
guys at that time," said TTU golf coach Craig King. "Through
graduation and those sorts of things, as well as learning about
everyone of them, Josh has always been at the forefront on the
academic side, of course, with a 4.0 grade point average. He's
always been very dedicated and conscientious of that. He's also
shown a lot of passion for his golf and I think he really showed it
in this last year."
July 11, 2010
Golfer Josh Simer picked as Tech's NCAA Man of the Year
March 29, 2010
Tech in third place, two Golden Eagles tied for fifth
February 28, 2010
Hoping for no snow this time, golf team heads to Grover Page Classic
February 22, 2010
Tech takes second place, Simer third at Frito Lay-AT&T Invitational
February 21, 2010
Simer in first place, Golden Eagles eighth at Frito Lay-AT&T
February 17, 2010
Men's golf team plays in Mississippi to open Spring schedule
February 9, 2010
Golden Eagles and Govs postponed until Feb. 18
February 4, 2010
Tech golf teams both picked fifth in OVC preseason voting
January 30, 2010
Men's golf adds signees Griffin, Schrock for 2010
December 17, 2009
Golden Eagles host Bryan College to cap double-header
December 10, 2009
Former Golden Eagle Stallings qualifies for 2010 Nationwide Tour
October 20, 2009
Simer, Golden Eagles earns Top 10 finish
October 19, 2009
Simer fourth as Golden Eagles in top half at APSU tourney
October 13, 2009
Tech takes third at the Skyhawk Classic
October 12, 2009
Tech in third after day one of Skyhawk Classic, Korth tied for fifth
October 5, 2009
Simer, Golden Eagles fourth after opening day at Murray State
September 27, 2009
Tech finds troubles in Sea Trail, looks ahead to next tournament
September 27, 2009
Golden Eagles up two spots heading into final day at Sea Trail
September 25, 2009
Golf team leaves room for improvement on first day
September 25, 2009
Veteran Golden Eagle golf team opens season at Sea Trail
September 17, 2009
Golden Eagle women to compete in Great Smokies Invitational
September 4, 2009
Tech drops five-setter against North Florida
August 21, 2009
Golden Eagle golf adds East Tennessee's Greg Kitts