1959 Golden Eagles to be honored Saturday for Legends Weekend
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – On Saturday during Tennessee Tech’s football game against South Carolina State, the 1959 Golden Eagle football team will be honored for the 65th anniversary of its shared Ohio Valley Conference championship. It was their second in four straight OVC titles between 1958 and 1961 under the direction of head coach Wilburn Tucker – the namesake of Tucker Stadium.
By Thomas Corhern, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – On Saturday during Tennessee Tech's football game against South Carolina State, the 1959 Golden Eagle football team will be honored for the 65th anniversary of its shared Ohio Valley Conference championship.
It was their second in four straight OVC titles between 1958 and 1961 under the direction of head coach Wilburn Tucker – the namesake of Tucker Stadium.
The 1959ers started off the campaign with a tie over Florence State – now North Alabama. The Lions took an early 7-0 lead, but the Golden Eagles battled back to knot the game at 14-all.
The campaign moved on to Memphis. Little All-American Tommy Hackler caught eight passes for 117 yards in the contest, but the Tigers emerged victorious 14-3, holding Tech to just a field goal in the 14-3 Memphis win.
The Golden Eagles started off OVC play on a strong note, composing a 48-0 shutout against Morehead State. Kyle Kilgore, Charles Spears, Dave Baxter, Gene Oliver and Bob Hargis on defense made Morehead's night a long one, while the offense spearheaded by Gordon Mason, W.J. Shumaker, Ralph Broyles, Jerry Flatt and Hackler rolled up the yardage.
Tech continued with a 19-7 victory against East Tennessee State to break a three-game losing streak. Jerry Parris led the Golden Eagle offense, while Baxter, John Matlack and Jim Newsom anchored the offense and held the Buccaneers to 101 yards of total offense.
On a trip to Bowling Green for Western Kentucky's Homecoming, Tech spoiled the Hilltoppers' party with a 29-19 victory as Shumaker scored a 52-yard touchdown run on the second play from scrimmage.
Chattanooga snapped Tech's winning streak with a 6-3 contest on the road. Carroll Wright kicked the 30-yard field goal for the Golden Eagles. Tech had a shot at winning the game as Mason and Hackler connected on two passes for 61 yards, but the Golden Eagles reached the Chattanooga 2-yard-line as time ran out.
Weather made the Tech-Murray State contest an interesting one for Homecoming as fumbles saw Tech's 14-0 and 21-8 leads over the then-Thoroughbreds disappear. Mason completed five passes with two for touchdowns, while Shumaker ran for 70 yards. The Golden Eagles won the game 29-16.
Shumaker opened the game against Eastern Kentucky with a then-record 80-yard touchdown run, then caught a touchdown pass from Mason to claim a 14-10 victory over the Colonels.
In the home finale, Tech beat Arkansas State 16-6.
The OVC title came down to one last game – the annual contest between Middle Tennessee and Tennessee Tech. Both teams came into the Thanksgiving Day game with an unblemished record in league play and the Blue Raiders had already clinched their berth to the Tangerine Bowl with an undefeated record.
Tech led the game all the way until the final minute when a Blue Raider 35-yard run made it a 21-20 game. Middle Tennessee opted for the PAT instead of the two-point conversion, tying the game and splitting the conference championship.
Mason, Shumaker and Hackler were all named all-Ohio Valley Conference first-team, while center Kilgore was a second-team selection. Mason set a single-season passing record with 903 yards, while Shumaker set a new rushing record of 1,664 yards. Hackler caught 30 passes for 522 – all three leading the OVC.
Tickets for Saturday's game against South Carolina State and all of Tech's home matchups are on sale now – call (931) 372-3940, visit the Hooper Eblen Center or order online at TTUsports.com.
