By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Much like the 2017 Golden Eagle football team is expected to do Thursday evening in its season-opener against Western Illinois, Tennessee Tech head coach Marcus Satterfield captivated his audience Tuesday morning while taking time to address gathered business leaders at the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce's Business Before Hours event at the Leslie Town Centre.
After a groggy and somewhat lackluster "good morning" greeting from the crowd, Satterfield began with his message.
And his message for those in attendance?
Everything counts.
"That's what we preach to our players," Satterfield said. "I've kicked guys out of practice during stretches just because they won't clap their best. There's always going to be that one guy that is 'too cool' to do something as simple as clapping. If we're going to clap, we're going to be the best in the country at clapping.
"We give each of the guys water jugs and constantly remind them to stay hydrated. We even practice drinking water with a student assistant blowing a whistle every 25 seconds to get those jugs moving. If we're going to drink water, we're going to drink water better than anyone else in the country."
Within those two examples, he challenged the room to think about the little things that are taken for granted each day. He challenged everyone to take something as simple as a greeting and make it his or her best.
"How are you going to be great?" Satterfield asked. "The little things count, and too often we take the little things for granted. In order to be great, you need to do the simple things as best as you can."
The head coach shifted focus slightly for his next point. He pointed out there is a reason that [head coach] Nick Saban and the [University of] Alabama football team is so successful on NFL Draft night.
"We want to have an intense focus on player development and accountability," Satterfield explained. "We're a development-driven program. That's how the University of Alabama can take a kid who just would not get drafted at another institution and turn him into a third-round pick. Those players at other schools that aren't getting selected when there is so much hype for them as freshman lack that quality. Development."
Satterfield turned back a little towards his opening message, about how everything counts; and more specifically, how that may not be ideal.
"We have to be comfortable being uncomfortable," Satterfield expressed. "Sounds daunting right? Let me put it this way. If your dream is something you can attain, you are off. Your dream has to be so outrageous, that you have no shot of attaining it without God.
"If you're looking for an excuse, you'll find one. If you're looking for an opportunity, there too you'll find one."
Right before he left the event, on his way to the practice field to continue preparation for the team's first contest, Satterfield challenged those in attendance one last time.
"Good morning," he said.
And a loud, vibrant response echoed through the building.
The Golden Eagle football team will look for its first opportunity at victory for the 2017 season on Thursday at 6 p.m. CT when it hosts No. 25 ranked Western Illinois at Tucker Stadium. To order tickets, call (931) 372-3940, visit the Eblen Center ticket office or visit www.ttusports.com.
Photo by Mike Lehman
