By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – There are a lot of facets in being a leader. It's not just taking charge in the heat of battle or guiding teammates, sometimes it's just being there to take care of the people important in their lives.
With this month's Unsung Leader award-winner, sophomore offensive lineman Isaac Cross, that last one proved true.
As the fall semester drew to a close, Cross, a nursing student at Tech, recognized a fellow student in distress.
"He cared enough and took the time to ask the very first question – 'Are you OK?'" said Athletic Academic Advisor Kara Phillips. "Isaac is a caring, mature man of integrity. He is not just a leader on the team, but off the field as well. He even stops by my office sometimes just how to see how my day is going. That is the character of a special person who asks for no recognition but certainly deserves it."
The Unsung Leader award is selected monthly from nominations submitted by the student-athletes' coaching staff or athletics staff, acknowledging student-athletes for exemplifying outstanding leadership qualities, whether on the field, the weight room, at practice, in the classroom, in study hall, on campus, in the community, for a student club or an organization.
The award honors someone who has made a positive impact on their team and the Tennessee Tech community as a whole, through their dedication to demonstrating leadership traits, such as:
- Keep learning, growing and improving;
- Follow through with excellence;
- Accomplish more than expected;
- Inspire and motivate others.
Cross' empathy helped a fellow student in a time of great need. He sought out resources to help the student and spent countless hours pursuing the appropriate course of action.
"It would not be a stretch to say that Isaac made a lasting impact on this student's life," Phillips said. "He spent multiple days sitting in meetings with the student, helping them get the help they needed. Not helping was never an option for Isaac.
"I'm so impressed with the maturity, care and leadership Isaac demonstrated in the manner in which he handled the situation. The important thing to not is that this is not an isolated incident. This is just one example of WHO Isaac Cross is as a person and he inspires me."
