March 5, 2014

James Normand recognized with National Football Foundation honor

NASHVILLE -- Tennessee Tech offensive lineman James Normand was one of seven collegiate players honored Wednesday night at the 48th annual awards dinner held by the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

Read the NFF page about James Normand

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee Tech offensive lineman James Normand, a senior from Oak Ridge, was one of seven collegiate players honored Wednesday night at the 48th annual awards dinner held by the Middle Tennessee Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame.

Normand was Tech's 2013 winner of the University Scholar-Athlete award, presented annually by the NFF. The son of James and Mary Normand, James posted a 3.46 GPA while earning his degree in accounting. He is currently studying for his master's degree. A four-year letterman, Normand wrapped up his career on the field in 2013 by earning a spot on the FCS ADA Academic All-Star team. A starter in all 12 games in 2013 and 36 games in his career, Normand was voted team captain and received two team awards. He won the team's Academic Award as well as the Sonny Allen Team Leadership Award.

He has also been active representing Tech off the field in a variety of roles.

A member of the Tennessee Tech Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, Normand did community service work with the Better Business Bureau and Habitat for Humanity, and visited with seniors at a local nursing home.

wo-time Habitat for Humanity volunteer; Visited senior citizens at a nursing home; member of the Accounting Club, TSCPA Association, and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee; Studied abroad in London. - See more at: http://www.footballfoundation.org/tabid/567/Article/54681/James-Normand-NFF-Scholar-Athlete-of-the-Day-Presented-by-Fidelity-Investments.aspx#sthash.wUPGPeC5.dpuf He has been a regular on both the OVC Commissioner's Honor Roll and the Tech Athletic Director's Honor Roll.

"James is an outstanding young man, and he has been a fantastic representative of Tennessee Tech University and our football program," said TTU head coach Watson Brown. "The award voted on by our players exemplifies this young man. The award is given to that player that represents Tennessee Tech both on and off the field at one time. It has been an honor to coach him."

In addition to the seven college players at the dinner, the NFF also recognized 55 high school student-athletes and presented several annual awards to a packed gathering at the Nashville Music City Sheraton.