COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- They've been waiting since October to pick
up their hardware and on Tuesday night in Nashville, Tennessee Tech
football coach Watson Brown and his senior players accepted the
coveted Sgt. York Trophy.
Tech won the award for the first time in 2009 after sweeping to a
perfect 3-0 record against its Ohio Valley Conference in-state foes
Austin Peay, Tennessee State and UT Martin.
The Sgt. York Trophy, sponsored by the OVC and the Nashville
Sports Council, was given to the Golden Eagles at the O'Charley's
Dinner of Champions at the Renaissance Hotel in Nashville.
"It was worth the wait," said Brown. "Winning the York Trophy was
one of the major goals of our team and we are extremely proud to
have accomplished it. It's something that these seniors will always
remember, and hopefully its the first of many.
"We'd like to keep this trophy in Cookeville for many years to
come," Brown said.
Joining Brown on the stage to accept the award were most of the
team's 2009 seniors, including offensive guard Taylor Askew, who
drew the task of carrying the 150-pound wood-and-bronze trophy to
the team's bus for the ride back to Cookeville.
"The coaches and players talked about winning the York Trophy
throughout Spring drills and from the first day of fall camp,"
Askew said. "Every player on the team is aware of Sgt. York's
accomplishments and contributions as a Soldier, and every player
took it upon himself to do all he could to win this trophy and
bring it back to the Cookeville. We think this trophy belongs here,
and winning it is something we are all extremely proud of."
In addition to Brown and the players, Tech's contingent at the
Dinner of Champions included three members of Sgt. Alvin C. York's
family (center in photo at left), his oldest son George Edward
York, his only surviving daughter Betsy Ross Lowery, and his
grand-daughter, Angie York. Tech history professors Michael
Birdwell, Calvin Dickinson and Jeff Roberts were also at the
dinner. It was Birdwell who did much of the research on York when
the trophy was established in 2007.
Retired Cookeville surgeon Sam Barnes sculpted the bust, while
Birdwell and former OVC Commissioner Jon Steinbrecher designed the
base.
The conference also had a large contingent on hand for the
presentation, including first-year Commissioner Beth DeBauche.
Kelvin Quarles (left) and Derek Dickerson with the Sgt.
York Trophy
March 23, 2010
Golden Eagle football team to play at TCU in September
March 21, 2010
24th annual Jim Ragland Bass Classic scheduled for May 1
March 18, 2010
Golden Eagles open drills Friday; Spring game is April 17
March 15, 2010
Football players read to students at Cane Creek Elementary
March 1, 2010
Visitation, funeral are Wednesday for Katherine Brown
February 18, 2010
Outstanding TTU Alumni include two athletes, one supporter
January 21, 2010
Wilmore's time in space continues to keep Tech football in spotlight
January 12, 2010
Deadline approaching to order Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame tickets
December 18, 2009
Askew named to FCS Academic All-Star team
December 14, 2009
Jason Eskridge: From Golden Eagle to Golden Voice
December 13, 2009
Golden Eagle football schedule to feature game at Iowa in 2011
December 11, 2009
Governor proclaims "Capt. Barry Wilmore Day" in Tennessee
November 30, 2009
Brief ceremony Wednesday in Eagles Nest for "Dog" Daggett
November 25, 2009
Benford, Adams head up Tech's all-OVC selections
November 25, 2009
Tech's Taylor Askew voted Academic All-America
November 22, 2009
Golden Eagle football team to play at Arkansas in 2010 season
November 21, 2009
Golden Eagles close 2009 with winning mark, top Murray State 45-15
November 19, 2009
Nine seniors play final game Saturday when Murray State visits
November 17, 2009
Golden Eagle soaring as pilot of NASA shuttle Atlantis
November 14, 2009
Golden Eagles fall short of upset bid at Jacksonville State
November 10, 2009
OVC title chase resumes when Golden Eagles visit JSU
November 7, 2009
Georgia defense shuts down Tech, Bulldogs claim 38-0 victory
November 6, 2009
Golden Eagles take the fight to Georgia Saturday
November 5, 2009
Taylor Askew voted first-team Academic All-District
November 2, 2009
How sweet it is: Brown accepts chocolate football
November 1, 2009
Mitchell, Benford stand out as OVC Award winners
October 31, 2009
Defense dominates, Tech claims York Trophy with 20-13 Homecoming win
October 27, 2009
Motivation won't be a problem for Saturday's game vs. Tigers
October 24, 2009
Golden Eagles ride Gay to 28-16 OVC win over SEMO
October 21, 2009
Another cliffhanger? Golden Eagles host SEMO Saturday
October 21, 2009
Astronaut/linebacker Wilmore featured in Tennessean
October 11, 2009
Dillehay earns OVC Defensive Player of the Week honors
October 6, 2009
Golden Eagles prepare to face Skyhawks
October 3, 2009
Golden Eagles claim OVC victory over Austin Peay, 31-23
October 2, 2009
Golden Eagles, Govs clash to begin quest for York Trophy
September 30, 2009
Football game highlight of annual Parent and Family Weekend
September 29, 2009
Former players invited back for Football Alumni Reunion Saturday
September 26, 2009
Special K-State: Wildcat kick returns doom Golden Eagles
September 24, 2009
Taking Manhattan: Golden Eagles to face Big 12 foe Kansas State
September 23, 2009
Stadium will be booming Saturday at Kansas State
September 19, 2009
Defensive OVC battle goes to host Colonels, 17-7
September 17, 2009
Reserve by noon Friday to attend Insider's Lunch Monday
September 16, 2009
Golden Eagles face defending champs to open OVC schedule
September 14, 2009
Watch The Watson Brown Show free each week on OVCsports.TV
September 13, 2009
Five chosen for induction Oct. 30 into Tech Sports Hall of Fame
September 10, 2009
Golden Eagles grind out 51-10 victory over Pikeville to open season
September 9, 2009
Golden Eagles open 2009 season hosting Pikeville Bears
September 9, 2009
Fans can reserve their space at Magic 98.5 Tailgate Park
September 8, 2009
First Tennessee Bank sponsors annual football Poster Night Thursday
September 6, 2009
Watson Brown Show debuts Monday night; Fans can call or email questions
September 3, 2009
Knoxville youth take in Tech football practice
September 1, 2009
Golden Eagle football guides on sale
September 1, 2009
Military and Public Safety Appreciation Night Sept. 10 at Tucker Stadium
August 31, 2009
Purple Pride Caravan heads to Smithville Tuesday evening
August 29, 2009
Depth emerging for Golden Eagles in team's final scrimmage
August 27, 2009
Golden Eagle athletes lend hand at Great Move-In Day
August 26, 2009
Blair right back where he belongs
August 24, 2009
Freshman class could produce plenty of players in 2009
August 23, 2009
All new Watson Brown Show to air on WCTE and WHUB
August 21, 2009
Golden Eagle gridders prepare for first fall scrimmage Saturday
August 18, 2009
Fans invited for food and football at annual Gathering of Eagles
August 12, 2009
Golden Eagle football team gets 2009 camp underway
July 22, 2009
Four named as football team captains for for 2009
July 17, 2009
Tech season tickets on sale; Fans can show Purple Pride
July 7, 2009
Tech adds safety transfer Jimmie Blair from UAB