By TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Leadership is not always found solely on the field of competition. A true leader takes those qualities, skills, and patience and applies them to whatever they do, whenever they do it.
Without a doubt, Tennessee Tech senior soccer student-athlete Meredith Nye has been an incredible leader for her Golden Eagle squad over the years, so much so that the Jackson, Tenn. native served as a team captain for a team that won its second straight Ohio Valley Conference regular season title.
But her leadership skills and direction off the pitch are what make her November's Unsung Leader Award winner. Nye currently serves as the President of Tech's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, constantly looking for avenues to engage with student-athletes not just from Tennessee Tech, but around the country, all with the goal of improving day-to-day and long-term experiences throughout their collegiate careers.
"Meredith has done a spectacular job in her role as SAAC President," Assistant Athletic Director for Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator Mandy Thatcher said, "not only with the day-to-day and week-to-week tasks that come with the position, but also with engagement throughout the OVC and the NCAA. She truly wants to create the best possible student-athlete experience for all of her fellow Golden Eagles and those that will join the fold in the future."
On the pitch, the midfielder has been a key cog to the Golden Eagles delivering back-to-back OVC championships, collecting All-OVC honors in four consecutive seasons, including a First-Team nod this past year.
As part of her involvement with Tennessee Tech's SAAC, Nye has also served on the OVC's SAAC, attending the group's annual meeting in Nashville to discuss a range of topics to help better the student-athlete experience. Constantly looking for ways to improve herself, but more importantly, the atmosphere and experiences other Golden Eagles live through day-to-day, Nye has proven to be an exceptional leader not just for the soccer team, but the Athletics Department as a whole.
"Meredith is so deserving of this honor," Tech head soccer coach Steve Springthorpe said. "Most people see what she does on the field as an All-Conference player and captain of the team. However, there is another side of her that most do not see. She gives so much of her time to many different areas on our campus. It is great to see her being nominated by others that are outside of the soccer program."
It is for these qualities and dedication that Nye is the recipient of the 2023 November Unsung Leader Award.
The Unsung Leader Award is selected from student-athletes, who have been nominated by their coaching staff or members of the TTU Athletics Department, for exemplifying outstanding leadership qualities during a given month. The leadership can be shown on the field, in the weight room, at practice, in the classroom, in study hall, on campus, in the community, or for a student club or organization.
The award honors a varsity student-athlete who has made a positive impact on their team and the Tennessee Tech community as a whole, through his or her dedication to demonstrating leadership traits, such as:
- Keep learning, growing, and improving
- Follow through with excellence
- Accomplish more than expected
- Inspire and motivate others
Photo by Emily Armstrong
