Tennessee Tech’s annual Spirit Days celebration set to welcome students back to Cookeville while presenting a community display of Golden Eagle pride.
News and Public Relations Director Jonathan Frank said the university is encouraging everyone in the region to display free yard signs in support of the students.
“We all come together to show our enthusiasm for Tennessee Tech, for the Golden Eagles, what this place means to Cookeville and the Upper Cumberland,” Frank said. “And it’s also a way that we thank the community for the way that they support and embrace our students.”
Frank said this year’s theme, “Game On Golden Eagles,” was developed by Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing Bobbie Maynard. Frank said the theme reflects a transformative era for the athletic program, which recently joined the Southern Conference and is preparing to reopen a revitalized Tucker Stadium.
“We’ve got the dream team of Casey Fox, Coach Wilder, Coach Tobin Anderson and all of our other outstanding coaches,” Frank said. “And then of course the most important piece of that is our student athletes. So it’s a really exciting time for Tennessee Tech athletics and that is having a ripple effect across the university. And so Game On, it it just felt appropriate.”
Frank said these additions are designed to create an authentic Southern game day experience for fans when the home opener kicks off on August 29.
“The community and and Tennessee Tech being able to come together for Spirit Days is really valuable and a lot of fun,” Frank said. “We think that Cookeville and Tennessee Tech, we’re stronger together. We’re a team, and the the university has always had such a positive longstanding partnership with the city of Cookeville, with Putnam County, and surrounding communities in the Upper Cumberland.”
Frank said the university currently partners with over 130 local businesses through the Golden Eagle Perk Partner program. Frank said these businesses offer discounts to students who present their Tennessee Tech identification, which is now available as a digital credential on smartphones.
“It shows the pride that the community has in Cookeville,” Frank said. “And I I think it shows that when they when they arrive in Cookeville, they’re here in Tennessee’s college town. They’re in a vibrant community that supports its hometown university, that supports students. And I think it really makes the students feel welcome.”
Frank said the university acts as a major economic engine for the entire state of Tennessee. Frank said the upcoming College Town Kickoff in late August will feature a recognizable headliner and include free activities for local families as a way to give back to the community.
“We’re really proud to call Cookeville our hometown and we we get a lot from from Cookeville and the surrounding community but I believe Tennessee Tech gives a lot to Cookeville and the surrounding community as well,” Frank said.
Free yard signs will be available for pickup starting Monday at the Leslie Town Center, the Roaden University Center, and the Crawford Alumni Center.
