COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - The man who first suited up as Tennessee Tech's Awesome Eagle passed away last week.
Max Alderson was the original Awesome Eagle. Alderson was 71-years-old. In November, Alderson suited up once again for the School's Homecoming. It was part of his 50th Golden Grad reunion at Tennessee Tech University.
Alderson began the tradition of the Awesome Eagle during the school's annual Turkey Day game on Thanksgiving against Middle Tennessee State University. According to school leaders, Alderson and two friends borrowed a paper mache eagle's head from a Homecoming float constructed by the industrial technology department. He said the head had no eye holes and he worried about tripping and the 40 young men behind him wearing cleats if he tripped and fell when leading the team out.
Alderson leaves behind his wife and college sweetheart, Pat.
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