Tennessee Tech Athletic Director Mark Wilson announced his resignation Tuesday morning, and a former Tech President reflected on Wilson’s tenure.
Wilson headed the Golden Eagle Athletic Department since 2004. Former Tennessee Tech President Bob Bell said Wilson was instrumental in restructuring the program and hiring good coaches. Bell said Wilson’s leadership ability was evident as early as the first interview.
“He had the heart of a student-athlete, and also had the student-athlete in his heart,” Bell said. “He lived and breathed talking to them about their success in life. That’s what his focus was on.”
Bell said Wilson was well respected throughout the university, and was intentional about pouring into the student athletes.
“Mark and I always met with them and said that when they left, they had two championships to their credit,” Bell said. “One on the playing field, and the second one a baccalaureate degree, something that would go with them throughout their entire life and career.”
Bell said Wilson prioritized going to games and building relationships with everyone he encountered, which contributes to his legacy.
“I think he will be remembered as an outstanding leader, a colleague and a team player across the entire university, who understood his primary focus was the student-athlete,” Bell said. “There was no doubt, that when you talked to Mark, you were talking to the Athletic Director. You were talking to someone that focused on sports, and on student-athlete experience, and student-athlete success.”
During Wilson’s tenure at Tennessee Tech, the Golden Eagles appeared in 45 Ohio Valley Conference regular and postseason championships and 18 NCAA tournaments.
