Tennessee Tech

Tennessee Tech's program has been down for the last few years due to coaching turnover, but I feel is on the rise with the new coaching staff. Matt Bragga (HC) is a good baseball guy and a class act. He knows the game, recruits well and is a good motivator. He also has ethical values, which in the college coaching world is important. You can believe what he tells you.

At the present they are rebuilding, but should compete and contend well in the short future.

Bama Bomber,

Thanks for the response, especially the information about the coaching staff. You basically echo the feelings my son and I get from this program.

Coach Bragga is a great man and even better coach. I think this program will be on the rise soon.

TNBB24,

Thanks for your input.

My son has maintained contact with the coaching staff and will be scheduling a visit soon. Would anyone else like to share their opinion of the university and/or the baseball program?

BigMW-
My son was a Tech player and is a grad and has nothing but positives to say about the school. TTU has a very well respected engineering school and the overall academic program is strong. He didn't play for Coach Bragga but as a current HS coach has spoken with him several times and has attended clinics where Coach Bragga was a speaker. He's been very impressed by his enthusiasm, energy and general demeanor. Coach Bragga apparently is building his program primarily through HS players and while growing pains can be numerous the payoff can be large. The OVC is a representative league and Tech has been a representative program over the years. No, it isn't the SEC or ACC but Tech managed wins over teams from those conferences during my son's career so the potential is there for exciting things. I hope this helps and good luck to you and your son.

getoverthere,

Thank you very much for your response. The OVC is definately not the SEC but when it comes down to it, my son is just in search of the magical "fit" both on and off the field.

I would like to thank those who responded to this topic either directly or via PM.

My son had many choices in schools and I had wondered why he selected TTU (my wife and I did not accompany him on his official visit). This past weekend my wife and I had the opportunity to meet the TTU coaching staff and any lingering doubts I may have had were laid to rest. All that has been provided here on this topic is spot on. Once again thanks to all of you!

MW, Glad to hear your son is so happy. I don't think I told you, but found out son's summer coach is a friend with Bragga. By reports from several people that I've talked to he's a good guy and "ball of energy" . Sounds like your son made a very good choice and hope he has a great year!!

lafmom,

Thanks for the well wishes but "happy" is a relative term. He is very happy with his choice BUT is now somewhat homesick since this is his first time living away from home! It has him second guessing maybe his selection should have been closer to home. I'm sure he'll get over it but it will take some time to adjust. He's starting his second week of classes and strength and conditioning "tests" started this week so hopefully he'll have more to think about than home.

Coach Bragga appears to be a very nice person and a great role model. After getting my son settled in, one of first stops was at the baseball field. I wasn't expecting to meet with the coaching staff, just wanted to see the facilities. He and his staff welcomed us at the door, showed us around and talked at length about their program and answered any questions we had.

Later that day, Coach Bragga and his staff also held a new parent meeting to discuss their coaching philosophy, what is expected of the player, the parent and what to expect of the coaching staff. I was very impressed to hear Coach Bragga say that aside from the coaching aspect of the job, he and his staff are roll models for the players (and I mean in a positive sense).

We also met the new Assistant Coach, Corey Hammerick (sp?), who I believe is an acquaintance of Bama Bomber.

MW - I think that homesick thing is bound to happen. I was somewhat prepared for it because of talking with other folks on the HSBBW. My son has been gone for 3 1/2 weeks and the second week there I sensed a "dip" in his mood. He swore he wasn't homesick, but momma could tell! However, he moved over the hump with the help of a very busy baseball schedule. I'm going to send you a PM - there was a kid I know considering going to Tech, just wondering if he did.

Some homesickness is natural, and it will pass.

By the end of spring, we could hardly get our son to come home. And, he was more than ready to get back to school this fall. He has developed very strong friendships with his teammates.

I don't remember being homesick when I was in school, but I do remember recognizing that college is an outstanding alternative to the "real world".

Yea, we expect the homesickness but it still doesn't make it any easier on either him or us!

This topic was discussed in the parent meeting with Coach Bragga & Co. and was especially tailored for the incoming freshmen. The coaching staff encouraged the parents to take a firm stance on "keep on keeping on" unless the student was absolutely, positively miserable.....

Although I was already married by the time I transferred from a JUCO to a University, my wife had to remain in our hometown for my first semester. To top it off, I lived off campus in an apartment. It wasn't very pleasurable that first semester but I got through it. At least my son has a housemate (better digs than the apartment I had).

Kids away from the home for the first time become homesick but after a short time they become sick of home. He'll be fine, congratulations on his developing to the point he has and welcome to the Tech family!

getoverthere,

For some strange reason, although both of my "kids" are now in their twenties, they like being around us old folks! Maybe it's because when they're around, we always foot the bill!

Now that classes are in full swing and fall practice/workouts have started, he doesn't have as much time or energy to think about being homesick.....

Thanks for the "congrats" for my son and the welcome to the Tech family. There is nothing like Southern hospitality....

BIgMW,
Yep, "Cory Hamrick" is an unfortunate addition to the TT staff this year...

He coached our Junior Team for two years and did a nice job. He played for Coach Bragga at Birmingham Southern and they have continued a close relationship through the years. Cory is a firey, high energy type coach and will fit into the "Bragga System...aka Brian Shoop system(BSC)" of high energy, high morals, high standards, high expectations.

Bama Bomber,

Thanks for the proper spelling of Coach Hamrick's name and the insight into the Bragga system coaching style.

During Coach Bragga's presentation to the parents he mentioned the BSC connection with Coach Hamrick. He and Cory had a little fun when he mentioned the "BSC way" of doing things. None of the parents got the joke. Something tells me the players will soon find out!

As an aside, TTU has a new volunteer assistant who came from Oakland University (Michigan). His name fails me right now.....

Bama Bomber,

Looks like Cory is headed back you way. He is no longer an assistant at TTU. Don't know the details, yet....

Have your son introduce himself to Brian Sprowel, He is a junior college transfer from Knoxville. Tell him Michael from MTSU told him to look him up. Brian is a great young man who loves the game, and could be a great mentor.
My son is a junior at MTSU and we can not get him to come home. He thinks he is a resident of Murfressboro. So don't worry, be glad he is a little homesick.

GCM,

Too late, my son and Brian are already best friends and hope to be the starting middle infield for TTU. My son is a JUCO transfer too.

My son overcame his homesickness for the most part. By the end of the semester he was anxious to come home and hang out with his old JUCO teammates and old HS buddies for a while. Of course poor old mom and dad didn't see him too much during his month stay! Just kidding....

I'll be sure to tell my son to tell Sprowl, Michael from MTSU says "Hi". Of course they'll all get to see one another when TTU and MTSU meet on March 22 and April 26!

BigMW,
Yeah, I heard Cory was returning to Alabama and getting married to his longtime girlfriend.

Bama Bomber,

Yes that is the story I got from my son last night. Seems the pay offered as a first year assistant coach cannot sustain a family! Good luck to Cory and his bride.