Tennessee State Tigers Officially Take Sergeant York Trophy

Ed Temple and Coach Rod Reed receives the Sergeant York Trophy
on behalf of TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY ATHLETICS

NASHVILLE, Tennessee - Tennessee State football coach Rod Reed recently accepted the Sergeant York Trophy award at the 14th annual Pepsi Celebration of Champions presented by Kroger last month.

The Tigers claimed the trophy presented by the Tennessee Governor's Highway Safety Office for the third time since its inception in 2007. TSU has won the trophy the most since it began five years ago.

The Sergeant York Trophy goes to the winner of the quadrangular season football series between the four Ohio Valley Conference schools located in the state of Tennessee - Austin Peay State University, Tennessee State University, Tennessee Technological University and the University of Tennessee at Martin.

It is only the second traveling trophy that involves more than two teams in college sports; the other is the Commander in Chief's Trophy which has been contested between Air Force, Army and Navy annually since 1972.

The award is named in honor of Alvin C. York, the most noted Soldier of World War I. As a corporal in the 2nd battalion, 328th Infantry, in the Battle of the Meuse River-Argonne (Oct. 8, 1918), York and seven other soldiers captured 132 prisoners, was promoted to sergeant and received the Distinguished Service Cross, the French Croix de Guerre, the French Legion of Honor, the Croce di Guerra of Italy and the War Medal of Montenegro. Upon his return to the United States in 1919, he was bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor.

The award is only the second traveling trophy that involves more than two teams in college sports; the other is the Commander in Chief's Trophy which has been contested between Air Force, Army and Navy annually since 1972.

Last season, the Tigers finished the season 5-6 overall and 4-4 overall - placing fifth, which was higher than the projected eighth place in the preseason.

TSU defeated No. 25 Tennessee Tech (42-40) and UT Martin (35-30) to claim a tie with Tennessee Tech. The Big Blue retained the trophy after winning the head-to-head game with the OVC co-Champion Golden Eagles earlier in the year.

Legendary TSU Track & Field Coach Ed Temple presented the award to Coach Reed at the banquet held in Nashville.

The Tigers begin spring practice on Monday, March 19. TSU will play in the annual Blue & White game on Saturday, April 14 at 2 p.m.

COURTESY: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY SPORTS INFORMATION
VISIT: TSUTIGERS.COM