Athletics Round-up

Hixon returns to Tech as graduate student

Hixon

Journeying down a new path is nothing new in Drew Hixon’s life. This time, it’s a change in his career plans. A former Golden Eagle wide receiver, Hixon is back at Tennessee Tech to pursue a master’s degree and work as a marketing graduate assistant in the Athletics Department. Four years ago, Hixon’s name became familiar throughout the nation when he suffered a stunning injury in Tech’s game at South Florida. He was in an induced coma for weeks, and spent months in recovery and rehab. His story was aired nationwide, and prayers and wishes poured in from around the country.

Tech athletes academically strong

Four Tech student-athletes earned national or district Academic All-America honors following the spring season. Shortstop Thomas Nelson was named first-team Academic All-America in baseball, while softball standouts Beth Boden and Stephanie Fischer each received second-team Academic All-America. Distance runner Keri Coulthard was named Academic All-District 4 cross country/track & field first-team.

Tech’s student-athletes hit another milestone in the classroom, posting a combined 3.00 GPA for the 2008 Spring semester, the highest Spring semester GPA by Tech’s student-athletes since the Athletics department began tracking academic records in 1971.

Student-athletes from Tech continued to set the pace in academics in the Ohio Valley Conference, winning a league-best 24 OVC Academic Medals and placing 100 on the Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll for 2007-08. Tech also won Team Academic Awards in men’s basketball, men’s cross country and softball.

Wilson appointed to NCAA council

Wilson

TTU Director of Athletics Mark Wilson has been appointed to the NCAA Leadership Council. The appointment runs through April 2011 and will give the Ohio Valley Conference, TTU and Wilson a voice in a variety of strategic decisions that can affect intercollegiate athletics. Wilson is in his fifth year as Tech’s Director of Athletics.

 

 

 

 

 

Softballers lead nation in home runs

Boden	Fischer
Shipp	Nelson

Beth Boden and Stephanie Fischer each led the nation in home runs for the Golden Eagle softball team, Boden topping the charts in 2007 and Fischer making it back-to-back national champions in 2008. Following their playing career for TTU, the pair of Wisconsin products played professionally during the summer for the Rockford (Ill.) Thunder.

Athletic top honors

Tech’s top honors in Athletics were announced during the summer. Beth Boden was named the NCAA Woman of the Year, while Thomas Nelson received the Man of the Year award. Stephanie Fischer was selected the Outstanding Female Athlete of 2007-08, while Larry Shipp landed the Outstanding Male Athlete award.

McKenzie and Fisher to play in Europe

Amadi McKenzie and Anthony Fisher gave Tech fans plenty of thrills during their careers, including an OVC championship. After each received his degree in May, he also signed a contract to play professionally in Europe. McKenzie signed a contract with Vichy, a team in the Pro A league of France. Fisher will play point guard for Allianz Swans Gmundsen.

 

 

Alumnus shoots in Beijing games

In August, former Golden Eagle shooter Daryl Szarenski represented the United States at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, competing in the 50m pistol event. Szarenski was a seven-time All-American while at Tech in smallbore and air rifle. He finished second at the Olympic trials in the free pistol to claim his trip to Beijing. In 1984, Tech Hall of Fame shooter Ed Etzel won a gold medal in Los Angeles.

New development director for Athletics

Swallows

Grant Swallows has been named Associate Athletics Director for Development at Tech. A native of Livingston and a former record-setting Golden Eagle quarterback, Swallows joined the staff in April. In 2003, he received the Steve Hamilton Sportsmanship Award from the OVC. He was named the 2002 TTU NCAA Man of the Year, as well as the Outstanding Male Athlete.

Zarco earns spot in NCAA championship

Borja Zarco, a native of Madrid, Spain, had one of the best individual seasons in Tech men’s tennis history with a 27-5 singles record in 2008. He earned a NCAA ranking of No. 101 and became the first player to earn a spot in the NCAA Singles Championship. He also helped lead the Golden Eagles to its third straight OVC Championship.

(Fall 2008)