COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech senior linebacker Jay Rudwall has been named as a 2015 Hammer Strength All-American, an honor announced by Hammer Strength, a Life Fitness-owned performance brand of strength equipment, in partnership with the Collegiate Strength and Conditioning Coaches Association (CSCCA).
To be considered as a Hammer Strength All-American, athletes were judged on their personal qualities and achievements in terms of work ethic, leadership, consistency and academic performance. Rudwall was nominated by Casey Kramer, the director of Tennessee Tech's Athletic Performance Center.
"Jay is the true definition of an all-around team leader," Kramer said. "Throughout the grind of our off-season workouts, he brings intensity, energy, and passion every day and seeks to bring the best out in others, as well.
"One of Jay’s best qualities is consistency," Kramer added. "I always know what I will get from Jay, day-in and day-out, regardless of what else is happening in his life. Being a senior on our football team, Jay will definitely leave behind a legacy of outstanding work ethic, coachability, and true love for the game. Jay’s contributions to our off-season success are immeasurable. There is no doubt in my mind that Jay Rudwall will be highly successful in his life pursuits after football."
A native of Ooltewah, Tenn, Rudwall just wrapped up his senior season as a member of the TTU football program as one of the true team leaders. A starter at inside linebacker, Rudwall ranked second on the team and third in the Ohio Valley Conference with 103 total tackles, an average of 9.2 tackles per game. It marked his second consecutive season topping 100 in total tackles, and raised his career total to 275, including 11.5 tackles-for-loss. Rudwall not only provided a wealth of experience to the Golden Eagle defense, his career consistency and production have made him a great ambassador for Tennessee Tech Athletics. He is well-known within the TTU football program for his relentless style of play on the field, as well as his passionate and intense work ethic in the off-season. His year-round dedication to excellence has made him a great candidate and recipient of the 2015 Hammer Strength All American Award.
“With the Hammer Strength All-American Award, we recognize and celebrate collegiate athletes who lead the way in superior performance, both on and off the field,” said Chris Clawson, president, Life Fitness. “We congratulate Jay Rudwall for his tireless work ethic and academic performance, as well as the inspiring example he sets for others.”
About Hammer Strength
Hammer Strength, a Life Fitness brand, is a performance line of strength equipment. Hammer Strength equipment is found in elite collegiate and professional athletic training facilities across the nation and is renowned for helping hard-working athletes out-train and out-perform the competition. Other Life Fitness brands include a Life Fitness line of fitness equipment and a Brunswick Billiards line of game tables and furnishings. Headquartered outside Chicago, in Rosemont, Ill., Life Fitness is a division of Brunswick Corporation (NYSE: BC) that distributes products to more than 120 countries. For more information, visit www.lifefitness.com.
