Establishing pride in Tennessee comes naturally for Carl Torbush.
Torbush, born in Knoxville, spoke about his ideas and growth of East Tennessee State University football during his time as head coach during the Elizabethton Kiwanis Club meeting Tuesday.
“In 45 years of coaching, I’ve been in Alabama, Texas, and Louisiana but I’ve always loved East Tennessee,” Torbush told the packed house at Dino’s Restaurant.
The topic of having connections to the area rang true when discussing his coaching personnel with the head coach saying that each of his coaches have some connection to the state.
Various student-athletes are also part of the program, with Torbush naming off Adam Mullins, Austin Hicks, Asley Hayes, Conner Johnson and Chad Pritchard who attended Elizabethton, Cloudland and Happy Valley High School.
“If I had a perfect world, all of our players would be from East Tennessee,” Torbush said. Adding that he would continue to recruit within the region to help find players that would aid the program’s efforts of winning games.
Torbush also commended the efforts of the students in the program. The head coach added when he took over he could have brought in transfers and JUCO players, but establishing a program with a base of young and hungry players was the goal to build up the program.
Along with discussing the program, Torbush also talked about his ideals and motives for players coming through the program. The football uses a motto of “BELIEVE” – which encourages players to be respectful and represent the region and school with pride.
Other aspects the coach went over was the school’s recent beautification of campus, which he credited ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland for, and the development of the football stadium, which will be ready for the team’s opener September 2.
Tickets are on sale now, and the program is offering a 1911 Wall – where students, alumni or fans can purchases a brick for $111 that will be forever inscribed at the stadium.
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In other business, the Kiwanis Club discussed their flag distribution, which takes place Wednesday for Flag Day and Independence Day. Bekah Price also stated Elizabethton City Schools is still searching for sponsors to cover the cost of backpacks for the upcoming Back-2-School Bash at Citizens Bank Stadium, which is scheduled to take place August 5.