Story by Thomas Corhern
Cookeville Herald-Citizen Sports
COOKEVILLE -- No one ever said being a student-athlete was
easy.
From all the long hours of practice and games to working towards a
degree, so much time and effort goes into all of it.
In Lindsey Reed's case, she devoted every single moment of her
time toward academics, athletics and community service, becoming a
well-rounded student-athlete.
And even among a tough field of candidates, Reed's background said
it all and made her an ideal choice for the 2012 Tennessee Tech
Athletics Woman of the Year.
"Lindsey has been a role model student and a role model athlete
during her time at Tennessee Tech," said TTU athletics director
Mark Wilson. "I think it's very fitting that she was named the Tech
Woman of the Year. She's really done it all. She didn't get a whole
lot of recognition from her position on the field, but she has been
so consistent in her leadership and as a student, and we're just so
proud of her."
Reed beat out Brooke Basten (softball), Leah Bradley
(cross-country/track), Rachel Glidden (basketball), Tacarra Hayes
(basketball), Traci Jones (cross-country/track), Holly Thomas
(softball) and Emily Weinzetl (track) for this year's award and is
the second winner in as many years from the women's soccer program,
joining last year's winner Brooke Mayo.
"I am honored," Reed said Saturday via e-mail. "There are some
amazing athletes at Tech on and off the field and I am blessed to
be considered one of them."
Reed admitted that it took a lot of different things to excel as a
student-athlete.
"These last four years have taught me dedication," Reed said in a
statement to the NCAA as Tech's nominee for the national award.
"Being a student-athlete in itself takes a strong will to succeed.
In order to be a benefit to the team, I had to find the motivation
to improve on my own and find the strength of will to focus at
every practice, no matter how little sleep or how many big tests I
have to distract me. I could not have been a leader if my teammates
were not able to see my loyalty. The same can be said about the
rest of my endeavors. I need to be just as dedicated to the
community and my education in order for them not to be overshadowed
by my devotion to my soccer team. If I set my mind to research, or
helping at a school, and don't look back, there will always be time
and results. It is easy to be lazy and justify not going to
community service one week; what is missing just once? That will
turn into two and three and snowball out of control. It is much
harder to stick to your commitments, but the smiles on the kids'
faces prove to be worthwhile every time."
On the pitch, Reed played a position that didn't get a lot of
statistics, but her ability as a defender on the field was
incredibly valuable to the Tech women. Reed was one of only five
players who started every game in the 2011 campaign and played
every minute of every game.
"In the two years I've coached her, I think she played every
minute of every match," said Tech coach Daniel Brizard. "As a
defender, you're not going to get the flashy statistics, but she
helped us greatly with her experience and her calming
presence."
Reed was named the Ohio Valley Conference's Defensive Player of
the Week for her efforts in the adidas Gamecock Soccer Classic as
Tech allowed just one goal against Louisiana Tech and New Mexico
State.
"She's really meant a lot to this team," Brizard said. "Being an
upperclassman and everything she's been through, she provided some
invaluable leadership on and off the field."
Her work in the classroom was even more amazing. Graduating in May
with a 3.97 grade point average as a chemical engineering major,
Reed was also a nominee for Tennessee Tech's prestigious Derryberry
Award.
And her academic ventures aren't finished yet. Currently leading
backpacking trips for the Rocky Mountain Mennonite Camp, then
heading abroad to Honduras, Reed will return to her studies in the
fall to attend medical school.
"I tell people all the time that I felt dumber just sitting in the
room with her," Brizard joked. "She's definitely the epitome of the
student-athlete. She was a great athlete and, in the classroom, she
excelled. She had that dedication and she wants to go to medical
school. Doing that after completing an engineering degree is just
amazing. It just shows you the discipline someone has and can have
if they really put their mind to it."
April 25, 2012
Brizard Announces 2011-12 Team Awards
February 2, 2012
Golden Eagles sign six, solidify goalkeeper spot
December 9, 2011
NSCAA recognizes Golden Eagles' academic achievement
November 2, 2011
Heffner named second-team All-OVC for second-straight season
October 30, 2011
Golden Eagles fall on road at Southeast Missouri
October 28, 2011
Skyhawks spoil Tech's bid to stay alive in tourney hunt
October 27, 2011
Golden Eagles need to win out to qualify for OVC Tournament
October 18, 2011
Heffner named OVC Defensive Player of the Week
October 16, 2011
Heffner scores overtime goal, lifts Golden Eagles on Senior Day
October 14, 2011
Rountree scores first-career goal, but Tech falls to Murray State
October 12, 2011
Golden Eagles hope to make postseason push in crucial homestand
October 7, 2011
Cambron gives Tech first OVC win with overtime game-winner
October 5, 2011
Tech begins stretch run with trip to Jacksonville State
October 5, 2011
Think Pink set for Oct. 14 at Tech Soccer Field
October 2, 2011
Tech pushes defending OVC champions, falls on second-half goal
September 30, 2011
Missed opportunities hurt Golden Eagles in 2-1 loss
September 29, 2011
Soccer crowds approach all-time levels
September 28, 2011
Golden Eagles return home for important weekend of conference play
September 25, 2011
Despite putting more shots on goal, Tech falls at SIU Edwardsville
September 23, 2011
Golden Eagles can't find offense in OVC opener
September 21, 2011
Tech opens OVC play at Eastern Illinois, SIU Edwardsville with momentum
September 18, 2011
Tech defends home turf, claims 2-1 win over Lipscomb
September 16, 2011
Golden Eagles hang tough, fall at Middle Tennessee
September 14, 2011
Golden Eagles face in-state bouts in final non-conference weekend
September 11, 2011
Golden Eagles fall to Radford on road, 3-1
September 9, 2011
Ladd equalizer not enough to lift Golden Eagles past Longwood
September 8, 2011
Golden Eagles looking to put offense with defense
September 6, 2011
Tech soccer committed to service at local elementary school
September 6, 2011
Reed nets OVC Defender of the Week honors
September 4, 2011
Golden Eagles can't come back from early deficit, fall 1-0
September 2, 2011
Defensive stalemate ends in 0-0 tie
August 30, 2011
Toler earns OVC Goalkeeper of the Week honors
August 28, 2011
Tech evens record, wins second straight on road at UNC Asheville
August 26, 2011
Iaciofano game-winner lifts Golden Eagles to first victory
August 24, 2011
Golden Eagles hit the road to face East Tennessee, UNC Asheville
August 22, 2011
Action shots now available for purchase via online Photo Store
August 21, 2011
Golden Eagle soccer squad edged by future OVC foe Belmont
August 19, 2011
Late goal lifts Chattanooga past Tech in season opener
August 16, 2011
Tech soccer optimistic, set for season-opening weekend homestand
August 10, 2011
Golden Eagles 'ahead of schedule' in 2011 camp
August 6, 2011
Golden Eagle soccer team looking for new beginning in 2011