Watson Brown gives four strong
reasons
for fans to purchase season tickets
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Exactly why would someone buy season
tickets to watch the Tennessee Tech football team in 2012?
Other than the fact that season tickets are ridiculously
inexpensive (as low as $3.40 per game with the Back the Golden
Eagles plan; just $6 per game for adult season tickets), or that
some of the very best teams in the Ohio Valley Conference will
visit Tucker Stadium this fall to challenge the defending league
co-champs?
We put that simple question to one of Cookeville’s most
fanatic football people, a fan of the game who knows college
football pretty much better than anybody around – Golden
Eagle head coach Watson Brown.
We asked Brown, the 2011 OVC Coach of the Year who enters his
sixth season as Tech head coach and 40th season as a
collegiate coach, to spell out four basic reasons why area fans
should purchase season tickets to watch the Golden Eagles in their
six-game home schedule.
"I don't think I've ever been asked that question," he chuckled,
but quickly counted off four exceptional reasons.
1) “Our style of play,” he said. “We’re
going to be fun to watch. We’re a very fast-paced team and
it’s a fun style for fans.”
Last year Brown introduced the slogan “Fastest 60 Minutes in
Football” and his team lived up to that billing. Going with a
no-huddle offense, the Golden Eagles followed the lead of veteran
quarterback Tre Lamb in an assault that broke 24 school records.
Tech’s pace on offense wears down defenses and forces them to
utilize more players. By the fourth quarter, the Golden Eagles are
still rolling along and some opponents are struggling to keep
up.
2) “We have a lot of new faces who are very athletic,”
Brown said. “I think the fans are really going to enjoy
getting to know some of these guys and watching them play for the
next few years.”
The freshman class features more than 20 signees, some of whom
will be playing quite a bit in key situations. The first scrimmage
last Sunday allowed some of the youngsters to exhibit what they
bring to the team, and it the fans enjoyed it.
3) “We play hard, and our fans can feel very good about the
effort they’ll see from this team,” was Brown’s
third reason.
With the pace that Tech moves, the coaching staff uses a
very deep list of players in every game. Each players goes all out
on every play, knowing he has support on the sidelines. Starting in
fall camp and throughout the season, the Golden Eagles will be
known for their determined effort. No season ticket holder will get
short-changed in seeing all-out play from Brown’s squad.
4) “Our team speed on defense,” Brown said for his
fourth reason. “There’s going to be a lot of people
flying around.”
Led by defensive coordinator Billy Taylor, the Golden Eagles play
an aggressive style that last year led the Ohio Valley Conference
in total defense and ranked among conference leaders in nearly
every defensive category.
Among returnees who will shine are linebacker Marcus Edwards, a
preseason all-America selection, strongman Jordan Johnson up front,
OVC all-freshman selection and leading tackler Austin Tallant, plus
veterans Tommie McBride, Howard Griffin, and Will Johnson. Back in
action after missing last year will be Jerry King, Marty Jones and
Caleb Mitchell. Several others will also have an impact, including
freshman William Dillard, sophomore Tra’Darius Goff,
LaDarrius Verge, Cory McDonald and Matt Moran.
So, while he’s not out going door-to-door to sell the
tickets, it’s pretty clear that Watson Brown would be happy
to do so….if he wasn’t already a little busy preparing
for the season opener. That comes Thursday night, Aug. 30 with a 7
p.m. game in Tucker Stadium against Hampton University.
Fans who would like to take Brown’s advice and join the
flock by purchasing season tickets can visit the Athletics Ticket
Office in Eblen Center (Weekdays during regular business hours) or
call 931-372-3940. Tickets may also be purchased online at
TTUsports.com.