To lead a solid defense in tackles, you have to be in the mix on every play for every game. 

Usually, that accolade goes to an experienced middle linebacker, who makes stops week-in and week-out.  However, that was not the case with 2020 UTC Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee Ronnie Powe, who played for the Mocs from 1976-79.

Not only was Powe not a linebacker, but he was also just a true freshman who started the 1976 season on Joe Morrison's scout team. In spite of those minor details, the defensive lineman from Gilbertown, Ala., led the Mocs in tackles that season, even though he did not see the field until the third week of the year.

"I started on the scout team," explained Powe.  "For the first two weeks I was on the scout team, then they moved me up to the starting position on the defensive line."

After beginning 1976 with a win at Illinois State and a loss to Western Kentucky, Coach Morrison moved Powe into the starting lineup against Western Carolina.  His impact was felt on the defensive side of the ball throughout the year as the Mocs yielded just 18.6 points-per-game.

"I had a propensity to jump offside on third down that would cause us to have to stay on the field," stated Powe when asked about some good memories of his playing days.  "The coaches would then get on me and tell me to make it up.  And I would make it up.  I would usually tackle somebody for a loss." 

UTC finished 6-4-1 in the 1976 season, its first winning campaign in seven years.  Chattanooga joined the Southern Conference the following season, and Powe's strong played was an integral part of three league titles.

As a sophomore in 1977, he started the year off strong, earning SoCon Player of the Week recognition after a 14-7 win over Appalachian State on Sept. 17.  He would go on to finish second on the team in tackles that year, earning first team All-SoCon recognition, as well as Associated Press All-American honors. 

"One time I had a leg injury and Coach Morrison came into the locker room," added Powe to his memories of the Mocs' legendary head coach.  "He said if I didn't get out of the whirlpool he might lose his job, but he was just juicing me up."

That era of the late 1970's produced some of the top players in school history.  Powe is joining Coach Morrison and 11 others from this time period in the UTC Athletics Hall of Fame, including Tony Ball (1977-80), Joe Burke (1977-80), Jacob Burney (1978-80), Greg Cater (1976-79), Tim Collins (1973-76), John Creager (1976-79), Gwain Durden (1977-80), Mike Hunt (1979-81), Tony Merendino (1976-78), Mike Smith (1977-80) and Steve Woods (1977-81).

"At this time in my life, at 60 years old, it really moved me to tears," said Powe when he got the news about his impending induction.  "I came here when I was 17.  A great part of my life was formed and shaped at UTC.  A lot of my values, the way I thought, the way I learned, my friendships, the camaraderie and the teammates.  It was such a great time in my life."

He earned his way off the scout team and never looked back.