by Shonia George
Tennessee Tech celebrated Watergate Day on October 28 with a creative twist on campus history: the Inaugural Watergate Roach Run, an interdepartmental cockroach race hosted by Archives and Special Collections at Tucker Stadium and broadcast on the Jumbotron. This event was part of the Archives Event Series and served as a fundraiser to support archival initiatives, blending fun with purpose.
Watergate became a campus legend and an alumnus after winning the Great American Bug Race held at Palm Beach Atlantic College in West Palm Beach, Florida, in 1986. Following its memorial service held on campus, October 28 was officially designated Watergate Day, honoring Tennessee Tech’s creative and humorous spirit.
The Archives envisioned the Roach Run as a way to spark camaraderie between departments, engage alumni, and celebrate Tech’s quirky traditions, and it delivered. The race drew 38 contestants and a lively crowd from the campus and the community.
Alumni pride was strong, with Bob Luna, an ’80s Tech graduate, serving as announcer and keeping the audience entertained with his energetic play-by-play. Also in attendance was Teri Fosbinder, a member of the original Oracle team who named Watergate and helped send the famous roach to the Great American Bug Race in 1986. Thomas Lynn, another ’80s alumnus, joined the celebration as part of the community.
Campus support was evident, with the President’s Office registering their roach “Ghiradelli” early, and Susan Luna-Hazlewood, Executive Director of Alumni Engagement, connecting alumni with the campus activity, ensuring the event bridged generations of Golden Eagles. Alumni Engagement entered the race with their roach “CAC-roach,” pronounced “Cack-roach” with an added Boston accent.
This year, the second-ever “Extinguished Award” went to Li’l P from Pennebaker Hall, a local roach from the Biology Department. Lil’ P displayed resilience and personality, a fitting tribute to the event’s playful nature. The first “Extinguished Award” went to the race’s namesake, Watergate. Adding to the excitement, the Watergate Roach Run trophy honors will rotate annually between winning departments, making this tradition even more competitive and fun.
The Archives and friends wrapped up the celebration by participating in the Homecoming Parade, further cementing the Watergate Roach Run as a tradition that connects Tech’s past with its present.
Select Event Photographs
