College Sports Established
1915
Location
Cookeville, Tennessee
College Name
Tennessee Technological University
Collegiate History
1973 - Present / NCAA Division I
1949 - 1973 / University Division of the NCAA
Conference History
1949 - Present / Ohio Valley Conference
Nickname
Golden Eagles - The Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles are one of the country's most beloved NCAA Division I teams. With a long history of success and an impressive alumni list, it's no wonder they have such passionate fans. But many may not know that their nickname has a unique origin story rooted in tradition and local culture.
In 1925, when the school was founded as Tennessee Polytechnic Institute (TPI), its athletic teams were known as "Purple Pedes" after TPI’s official colors: purple and white. However, this name didn't last long — just two years later, it was changed to “Golden Eagles” due to popular demand from students who wanted something more majestic sounding than "Pedes." The new moniker also had strong ties to nearby areas like Cookeville, where golden eagles were commonly seen soaring through the sky or perched atop trees near campus grounds – making them quite symbolic for TPI athletics!
It wasn't until 1948 when then-President William Haggard officially adopted “Golden Eagle” as TPI's official mascot; however, he chose not to use any specific bird design but instead opted for an abstract representation with wings spread wide open – which remains today on all team uniforms & merchandise! This decision further strengthened their connection between nature & sport while also giving fans something iconic they could rally behind during games or other events held on campus grounds each year.
Whether you're cheering on your favorite player at home games or watching them compete against rival schools online - there's no denying that being part of this proud fan base is truly special, thanks primarily due to its unique nickname origins! So next time you hear, someone mention those three little words: Go Golden Eagles! Be sure to take a moment to reflect upon all these fantastic stories behind how such a powerful symbol came into existence over 90 years ago here in the Middle TN area...and show some extra love to your fellow supporters out there too!!
NCAA Championships
Baseball 0
Men's Basketball 0
Women's Basketball 0
Football 0
Soccer 0
- 1922
- 1960
- 2017
- 2018
-
Naming of Golden Eagles
In 1922 Tennessee Tech fields its first football team, known as the “Cavaliers.” In 1936 The team’s name is changed to the “Golden Eagles.” -
OVC Basketball Champions
In 1960 The Golden Eagles win their first OVC basketball championship. -
Aleksej Pokusevski Highest-Drafted Player
In 2017 Aleksej Pokusevski becomes the highest-drafted player in Tennessee Tech basketball history when he is selected 17th overall in the NBA draft by the Oklahoma City Thunder. -
Tennessee Tech wins the OVC baseball championship
In 2018 Tennessee Tech wins the OVC baseball championship and advances to the NCAA tournament for the fourth time in program history.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Golden Eagles
Tennessee Tech’s beginnings can be traced back to 1962, when it became an independent member of what was then known as the Ohio Valley Conference (now part of Conference USA). In 1965, they first appeared at an NCAA tournament game and won three consecutive OVC championships from 1966 to 68 under legendary head coach Jim Ragland. The Golden Eagles also had great success during this period in baseball, winning four conference titles between 1969-76 under Hall Of Fame coach Bill Wright Sr.
During this time frame, Tennessee Tech was able to establish itself as one of the premier programs not only within its conference but across all divisions throughout college athletics by consistently being ranked among some other notable schools such as Arkansas State University and Memphis State University (now known simply as Memphis). It wasn't until 1992 that TTU finally joined Division 1A football, where it quickly rose through rankings due mainly in part thanks to players like future NFL stars Raynoch Thompson & Kevin Dyson, who both played for TTU before going on successful professional careers. Since joining D1A, the Golden Eagle program has continued its traditional excellence by making multiple post-season appearances, including two bowl game victories against Central Michigan & Cincinnati, which put them firmly atop the standings within CUSA while earning recognition nationally.
Today, TTU remains competitive with more recent accomplishments such high profile wins over Power 5 opponents like Vanderbilt & Kentucky, showing that even after almost 60 years since inception team still knows how to play ball! Whether you're a fan or just a casual observer, there's no doubt any discussion about the greatest assembled teams should mention the golden eagles somewhere near the top list. So if you are looking for a good example, dedication, and hard work paying off, look no further than here, TN Tech!
Sports Fan Products
