6:30 AM—Megan McKnight (Director, Center for Wellbeing)

· Leads UTC’s Center for Wellbeing, guiding wellness initiatives including naloxone training, peer support and recovery programs.

· Oversees prevention, education and advocacy efforts addressing issues such as substance misuse, mental health and overall student well-being.

· In conjunction with UTC’s Counselor Education program, is offering Certificate in Addiction counseling training that is open to the public

· The Mocs Recovery Program—launched in early 2022 under her leadership—earned full accreditation in January 2024 from the Association of Recovery in Higher Education.

· Invited to the White House in October 2024 for the “Challenge to Save Lives from Overdose” summit, recognizing her efforts in expanding access to lifesaving overdose reversal lifesaving opioid overdose reversal medication and reducing preventable drug overdose deaths.

6:45 AM—Rusty Wright (Head Football Coach, UTC)

· UTC alumnus and former Mocs tight end (1992–95); named head coach in December 2018 following an extensive career as both player and assistant across collegiate programs.

· Is the only Mocs football coach to start his career .500 or better for six campaigns, bringing a 37-27 mark into the 2025 season (29-15 in Southern Conference play); UTC is the only conference school NOT to have a losing record at least once over that span.

· The Mocs were picked to finish second in the SoCon preseason poll.

· The season opener is August 30 at Memphis and the Finley Stadium home opener against Stetson is set for Saturday, September 13.