By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – With business leaders from around the Upper Cumberland assembled in the Hooper Eblen Center early Wednesday morning, the message was clear – "we need you here."
University President Dr. Phil Oldham, Tech Director of Athletics Mark Wilson and basketball head coaches John Pelphrey and Kim Rosamond urged for their support at the Cookeville-Putnam County Chamber of Commerce's Business Before Hours event at the Eblen Center.
"We talk a lot at Tech about putting students first," Oldham said. "We really do mean that. Whether that's a new engineering building or on this basketball court, that's what it's about – the students. They need our support. They deserve our support. That's what we're here to do in all aspects, whether it's great facilities or great coaches.
"This is a team sport and we need all of you and many, many others to come fill out these seats and support these student-athletes and, by doing that, support the University. The energy that comes into Athletics gets disseminated throughout the entire campus in a lot of meaningful ways."
With the women's basketball team continuing a tremendous stretch of success with six straight winning seasons and of double-digit Ohio Valley Conference victories, Rosamond's team looks primed for another run at the league title with a core group of returning players including Anna Walker, Peyton Carter, Reghan Grimes and Reagan Hurst, as well as an exciting group of transfers and freshmen.
"Our last home game here last season, I know a lot of you were in the stands cheering us on," Rosamond said, referencing the Golden Eagles' home finale victory over Eastern Illinois. "It was one of the best games I've ever been involved in at the Hooper Eblen Center. We don't win that game without that crowd that day. It was our largest crowd, our most energetic crowd and you guys pushed us right to the very last possession. We needed every single one of you there.
"I just want to encourage you all to come back. I think we're going to put a product on the floor that you're going to be proud of. I know Coach Pelphrey and his young men will and it's going to be an exciting year here. We just hope that not only will you be here, but that you'll bring several friends with you. Let's pack this place out because these young men and women work extremely hard."
Pelphrey has a great group of returning players in place for the 2024-25 campaign with a lot of talented newcomers ready to help the Golden Eagles take the next step.
"We're looking for a relationship," Pelphrey said. "We've talked about showing up at games and supporting us. At the same token, I want you to understand that you have a Division I men's basketball program right here in your backyard. You have access. If you need the head coach, his coaching staff, these young men to show up, let us know.
"We've lived here for a moment now and we love living here. I'm 100-percent honored to be the basketball coach, to lead this program and help it grow. These guys love this school, they love where they're from just like you do. They want to play in front of large numbers of people, so whatever we have to do to help bridge that, we want to do that. We need you. When you need us, we'll be there."
The season starts quick as the men's team will host a charity exhibition game against former Ohio Valley Conference foe Austin Peay on Oct. 22 at the Eblen Center. On Oct. 29, the Golden Eagle women will host Lipscomb and the men will take on Oakland City for the annual Purple Palooza event.
Season tickets for Tennessee Tech basketball are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center ticket office or order online at TTUsports.com.
Photo | Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
