By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech golf coach Polk Brown recently announced the annual postseason awards for the Golden Eagle men's team, with four student-athletes taking home honors for the incredible, 2023-24 Ohio Valley Conference championship campaign.

Sophomore Haden Maxwell took home the team's top honor, collecting Gilbert Darcy Most Valuable Player honors after a spectacular second year as a Golden Eagle. Rookie Alex Broyles was named the team's Most Improved Player while senior Mark McDearman claimed the Coach's Award. Fellow senior Sean Anderson was named the Bobby Nichols Award for Leadership winner.

Maxwell was steady and reliable for the purple and gold all season long, ranking third in a tight race for the team's top scoring average with a mark of 74.03 while earning the most top-five finishes and leading the team in six of the 10 stroke-play events. In just his second year on the Tech squad, the youngster picked up his first career individual medalist performance by becoming the first Golden Eagle to win the team's Bobby Nichols Intercollegiate.

Helping lead Tech to its first OVC title since 1990 and the program's first-ever appearance in the NCAA Tournament, Maxwell became just the sixth Golden Eagle to turn in a runner-up showing in the OVC Championships, placing second in the stroke-play portion of the 2024 postseason event and earning OVC All-Tournament honors. After finishing 2-0 in the match-play portion of the OVC Tournament, he then led Tech's effort at the NCAA West Lafayette Regional.

"Haden was phenomenal this past year," Tech head coach Polk Brown expressed. "He was such a positive influence on the rest of the team, did excellent in the classroom, and took a huge jump in his scoring capabilities on the course. Individually, he won the BNI and nearly won the OVC after shooting 76 in his first round. Haden has learned to be comfortable under par and well under par at that. We can't wait to see what is in store for him in his final two years here."

Broyles played sparingly in his first season in Cookeville, but made the absolute most of his opportunities late in the year. After playing in just one tournament, the freshman was thrust into duty at the OVC Tournament while serving as the team's alternate. He competed in the final round of stroke play before earning a victory in his first match-play event as a Golden Eagle in the semifinals.

"Alex was the MVP of the OVC Tournament," Brown said. "Going from no playing experience in the fall to helping our team win the league, this young man was incredible the latter part of the spring. He was by far the most improved player we had this year. We threw him in the deep end when Anders [Larson] had to withdraw at OVC Tournament and he swam like a duck in water. I'm so proud of Alex. The future is very bright for him."

McDearman wrapped up his Golden Eagle career as the team's Coach's Award winner behind a great attitude and arguably the greatest moment in program history. A steady performer all year, the veteran earned OVC All-Tournament honors by tying for fourth in stroke play, but it was his showing in match play that made him a Tech legend.

After earning a victory in the semifinals of match play, McDearman clinched the program's first title in 25 years by winning the final three holes of his match-up to snap the 2-2 tie with SIUE.

"You can't say enough good things about Mark," Brown explained. "He has been one of the most dependable student-athletes I've ever coached. During the tail end of the fall and this entire spring, he probably played the best golf of his career. And man, did he show out in his final match at the OVC Tournament. That performance will be something none of us will ever forget. More importantly though, to see the young man he grew up to be over these past four years was such a blessing. He represents one of the best ambassadors for Tennessee Tech golf I've ever had. He will be missed, but I'm excited to see what he does next."

Anderson completed his fifth season of eligibility as a true leader in the Golden Eagle program, providing constant support for his teammates both on and off the links. He was a steady presence for the purple and gold, especially down the stretch, providing clutch rounds and work ethic along the way.  

"Sean was my right-hand-man this year," Brown said. "I believe we grew very close over the last 18 months and his leadership was extraordinary. He helped me and the team navigate through some challenging times and I will forever be in his debt for what he did for our program, particularly this past season. He was such a great example for the rest of the team; always early, always doing extra, always helping his teammates out. Every team needs a Sean Anderson. It will be extremely difficult to fill his shoes. We are so thankful for what he did for our program over the last five years."

The Gilbert Darcy MVP Award and the Most Improved Player Award have both been presented since 1994. The Coach's Award and Bobby Nichols Award for Leadership were established for the 2019-20 season, replacing a few other honors from the past.

The Coach's Award goes to the player displaying the best attitude, most dedication, and biggest impact to the team for the given year. The Bobby Nichols Award for Leadership, named after the late, Hall of Fame head coach, is presented to the player who has shown and provided the most leadership on the team during the given year.

Men's Awards
Gilbert Darcy MVP: Haden Maxwell
Most Improved Player: Alex Broyles
Coach's Award: Mark McDearman
Bobby Nichols Award for Leadership: Sean Anderson

Photos by Mark Elsner