August 15, 2012

Four strong reasons why fans should get on board with TTU football season tickets

Watson Brown was asked to list four reasons area fans should consider purchasing season tickets to watch the 2012 Golden Eagles. He had no trouble coming up with his answers.

Watson Brown gives four strong reasons
for fans to purchase season tickets

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Exactly why would someone buy season tickets to watch the Tennessee Tech football team in 2012?

Other than the fact that season tickets are ridiculously inexpensive (as low as $3.40 per game with the Back the Golden Eagles plan; just $6 per game for adult season tickets), or that some of the very best teams in the Ohio Valley Conference will visit Tucker Stadium this fall to challenge the defending league co-champs?

We put that simple question to one of Cookeville’s most fanatic football people, a fan of the game who knows college football pretty much better than anybody around – Golden Eagle head coach Watson Brown.

We asked Brown, the 2011 OVC Coach of the Year who enters his sixth season as Tech head coach and 40^th season as a collegiate coach, to spell out four basic reasons why area fans should purchase season tickets to watch the Golden Eagles in their six-game home schedule.

"I don't think I've ever been asked that question," he chuckled, but quickly counted off four exceptional reasons.

1) “Our style of play,” he said. “We’re going to be fun to watch. We’re a very fast-paced team and it’s a fun style for fans.”

Last year Brown introduced the slogan “Fastest 60 Minutes in Football” and his team lived up to that billing. Going with a no-huddle offense, the Golden Eagles followed the lead of veteran quarterback Tre Lamb in an assault that broke 24 school records. Tech’s pace on offense wears down defenses and forces them to utilize more players. By the fourth quarter, the Golden Eagles are still rolling along and some opponents are struggling to keep up.

2) “We have a lot of new faces who are very athletic,” Brown said. “I think the fans are really going to enjoy getting to know some of these guys and watching them play for the next few years.”

The freshman class features more than 20 signees, some of whom will be playing quite a bit in key situations. The first scrimmage last Sunday allowed some of the youngsters to exhibit what they bring to the team, and it the fans enjoyed it.

3) “We play hard, and our fans can feel very good about the effort they’ll see from this team,” was Brown’s third reason.

With the pace that Tech moves, the coaching staff uses a very deep list of players in every game. Each players goes all out on every play, knowing he has support on the sidelines. Starting in fall camp and throughout the season, the Golden Eagles will be known for their determined effort. No season ticket holder will get short-changed in seeing all-out play from Brown’s squad.

4) “Our team speed on defense,” Brown said for his fourth reason. “There’s going to be a lot of people flying around.”

Led by defensive coordinator Billy Taylor, the Golden Eagles play an aggressive style that last year led the Ohio Valley Conference in total defense and ranked among conference leaders in nearly every defensive category.

Among returnees who will shine are linebacker Marcus Edwards, a preseason all-America selection, strongman Jordan Johnson up front, OVC all-freshman selection and leading tackler Austin Tallant, plus veterans Tommie McBride, Howard Griffin, and Will Johnson. Back in action after missing last year will be Jerry King, Marty Jones and Caleb Mitchell. Several others will also have an impact, including freshman William Dillard, sophomore Tra’Darius Goff, LaDarrius Verge, Cory McDonald and Matt Moran.

So, while he’s not out going door-to-door to sell the tickets, it’s pretty clear that Watson Brown would be happy to do so….if he wasn’t already a little busy preparing for the season opener. That comes Thursday night, Aug. 30 with a 7 p.m. game in Tucker Stadium against Hampton University.

Fans who would like to take Brown’s advice and join the flock by purchasing season tickets can visit the Athletics Ticket Office in Eblen Center (Weekdays during regular business hours) or call 931-372-3940. Tickets may also be purchased online at TTUsports.com.