Astronaut and Tech Hall of Famer Barry Wilmore Rallies Fans to Support Football Program’s Next Era
Tennessee Tech University alumnus, trustee and retired NASA astronaut Barry “Butch” Wilmore is helping build excitement for a new era of Golden Eagle football. Wilmore appeared in a newly released video highlighting construction progress at the university’s revitalized Tucker Stadium and encouraging fans to purchase their season tickets.
Filmed inside the nearly completed west-side stadium project, Wilmore donned his original Tech letterman jacket and reflected on his time as a Golden Eagle football player while calling on alumni, supporters and community members to be part of the team’s next chapter.
“Welcome to Tucker Stadium, the new stadium, new era,” Wilmore says in the video. “All things are changing here at Tennessee Tech.”
Wilmore, a two-time Tech graduate and Tech Sports Hall of Fame inductee, gained international attention following an unexpected more-than-nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station. In 2025, he received Tennessee Tech’s highest honor, the Order of the Eagle, and the university dedicated Wilmore Way, a pedestrian walkway and plaza at the heart of campus, in his honor.
The new Tucker Stadium project comes as the university prepares to join the Southern Conference on July 1 officially officially. Premium suites in the new stadium have already sold out, while a limited number of club-level season tickets remain.
Club-level ticket holders will enjoy access to an exclusive climate-controlled hospitality space featuring all-you-can-eat premium concessions, along with some of the best views in Tucker Stadium. Wilmore has purchased his own club-level season tickets and is encouraging others to do the same before the Golden Eagles take the field this fall.
“We’re looking forward to another amazing season,” Wilmore says. “Come on out, cheer the Golden Eagles … Get your season tickets. Get your seats.”
The revitalized Tucker Stadium will welcome fans when Tech opens the 2026 football season on Aug. 29 against Monmouth University.
To watch Wilmore’s video, click here.
To purchase Tennessee Tech football season tickets, visit www.ttusportstickets.com.
Pictured above: Tennessee Tech football alumnus Barry “Butch” Wilmore’s newly released video highlighting construction progress at the new Tucker Stadium and encouraging fans to secure their tickets ahead of Tech’s Aug. 29 season opener.
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