Death at Dawn--Exercise Camp in Cookeville, Tennessee

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By Ward Norris

Story Published: Jul 30, 2011 at 6:31 PM CDT

Story Updated: Jul 30, 2011 at 6:31 PM CDT

The sun has not quite crested the horizon when some 160  + people quietly gather at Tennessee Tech University's Overall Field.

And so Death at Dawn begins....

According Tracy Epps (wife of founder, Larry Epps), “This is the biggest group ever with an average of 160 people each day—it’s just crazy.” Comprised mostly of high school athletes (about 70%), and some college athletes coming back to get in shape before their sports practices start and some community enthusiasts, “death at dawn” has become an interesting exercise movement for the Cookeville area. 

 Now in the eighth year, this “Death at Dawn” is number fourteen for the area. The acronym -- “DAD” – seemed to invite fathers of athletes, who joined their high school children in the early morning exercise. Core volunteers Tracy and Larry Epps, with Steve and Terry Richardson seem pleased with the way the event continues to build.
 
The Epps originally started this event to assist their daughter who played on the high school soccer team several years ago. The coach at the time was complaining that he had to spend the first two weeks getting the kids in shape before he could start on skills. At that point, Larry Epps stepped up and told the coach, “We can get them in shape for you…” and thus Death at Dawn began.
 
Now participants are high school, college students, and several adults who enjoy being a part of this hearty, early-bird club willing to show up between 5:15 and 5:29 A.M. each morning and begin rigorous exercise at 5:30 A.M. sharp for two weeks.  DaD enthusiasts say work hard for that very exclusive t-shirt for perfect attendance.  
 
The cover photo in this feature is a student named Mike who was celebrating his birthday with the early morning climbs and trials. After getting a song from the group, he had the honor of demonstrating the first “sprint-up-the-hill-between-the-Brian-Fine-Arts-Building-and-Johnson-Hall.”
 
Founder Larry Epps praised volunteers of this particular event: Rick Fagen, Robert Ward, Lee Kent, Janet Koonts, Terry Richardson, Steve Richardson, Celeste Gammon, Tracey Epps, Chris Thacker, Mary Ellen (aka “the fast one”), and Lee Bailey.

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