By TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Notoriety can be hard to come by when you're constantly in the trenches, doing the dirty work very few see. But for senior defensive lineman Xavier Schlueter, that's where he thrives.
The fourth-year Tech veteran has flipped back-and-forth with his role on the line, entering as a defensive lineman and converting to the offensive front as a sophomore. After starting all 11 games on offense in 2017, he moved back to the defensive side of the ball for the 2018 season, ranking second on the defensive line and first among interior lineman in tackles.
A team leader since his first steps onto the Tennessee Tech University campus, Schlueter has been a model student-athlete, earning a 3.52 GPA while working towards a degree in secondary education.
As a senior, his leadership qualities have been put to the ultimate test and under the microscope, particularly in the month of August when the team returned for fall camp. And he has passed with flying colors.
"Xavier consistently works hard and exhibits a positive attitude towards everyone he comes into contact with," Tech head football coach Dewayne Alexander said. "He's shown those qualities both on the field and in the classroom and is very deserving of recognition."
It is for these qualities and dedication that Schlueter is the recipient of the August Unsung Leader Award.
The Unsung Leader Award is selected from student-athletes, who have been nominated by their coaching staff, for exemplifying outstanding leadership qualities during the past month. The leadership can be shown on the field, in the weight room, at practice, in the classroom, in study hall, on campus, in the community or for a student club or organization.
The award honors a varsity student-athlete who has made a positive impact on their team and the Tennessee Tech community as a whole, through his or her dedication to demonstrating leadership traits, such as:
- Keep learning, growing and improving;
- Follow through with excellence
- Accomplish more than expected
- Inspire and motivate others.
Photo by Tony Marable
