COOKEVILLE, Tenn. -- With the leaves beginning to change and a cool autumn breeze moving throughout Tech's campus, excitement filled the air as the Golden Eagle women's basketball team hosted a welcome back dinner for season ticket holders, family, friends and fans Thursday evening.

Sixteen different athletes and coaches mingled with guests and introduced themselves. Support was on everyone's minds especially when the seniors spoke of their time here the past four years.

"My sister and I chose Tech because of you guys" said senior Kylie Cook of the fans. "This was our last official visit and after leaving here, I knew this was the place for us."

Tech, the eighth winningest women's basketball program in the nation, prides itself on the quality of athletes wearing the Tech uniform, but pride from the community is what past players remember the most.