News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Super Bowl may have ended the pro football season Sunday night, but Tennessee Tech’s season will be kicking off in less than two weeks.
The Golden Eagles open the first spring football season in school history February 21 against Austin Peay. Athletic Director Mark Wilson said the team is slated for seven Ohio Valley Conference games, with three at home. Wilson said that Tech Football will play on Sundays and fans will be allowed to attend. He said that face masks will be required at games.
However, there are parts of COVID protocol still being determined.
“Lots of distancing, same thing with attendance at the games, we’re working on announcing that here in the near future,” Wilson said. “Fans will be allowed to attend. They’ll have to be distanced, masking will be required just like we have had at basketball games in Hooper Eblen Center this Winter. We’re working on that plan to announce, so there’s a lot of things going on behind the scenes.”
Wilson said this semester will take a lot of effort from the Athletic Department but it’s an exciting time for Tech athletics.
“13 of our sports will be going on here over the course of these months,” Wilson said. “The only one that will not be competing is indoor track and field, it will be a tremendous challenge to balance it all. We’ve tried to spread out the days of the games.”
Wilson said he does have some concern for his department with so many sports going on at once.
“Try to spread things out so our staff does not completely get burned out,” Wilson said. “But I am worried about our staff and the level of effort it’s going to take to host all the events over the course of this Spring.”
Wilson said practice has begun for the football team and he sat in on some conditioning. Despite the challenges ahead for spring sports, he said the football program has positive energy going into this unique season.
“You can tell there was a lot of enthusiasm,” Wilson said. “Coach Alexander has shared with me there’s lots of enthusiasm. So, I’m really excited that they’re going to get that opportunity, after not having that opportunity in the Fall.
Every Spring football game at Tucker Stadium will kickoff at 1:30 PM. The other two home games for Tech include Murray State on March 14 and Tennessee State on April 3.
OVC football will not play on the March 6-7 weekend, due to the OVC Basketball Championships being held. Season tickets for Tech football are on sale now.
