Tyler Junior College’s nationally recognized intercollegiate athletics program has received a $196,000 grant from the CHRISTUS Community Health Care Innovation Fund (CHIF).
The funds will provide for new equipment which will allow TJC’s 280+ student-athletes to perform a wider range of exercises more effectively, leading to immediate improvements in strength, conditioning and skill development.
The grant also creates a unique opportunity for an innovative partnership between TJC and CHRISTUS Human Performance Center, in which CHRISTUS staff can use the facility to train community members and non-TJC athletes during off hours and school breaks.
The upgraded equipment will also attract prospective athletes to the TJC program.
“We are so thankful for our friends at CHRISTUS and their generous contributions to our athletic department,” said Doug Wren, TJC director of intercollegiate athletics. “This gift will provide an opportunity for all of our student athletes to have access to state-of-the-art equipment and provide Jake Carney, our strength and conditioning coach, the necessary tools to give our athletes what they need to be successful in today’s competitive athletic world.”
TJC has 12 athletic programs, offering opportunities for more than 280 student-athletes to compete in various sports including football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, baseball, softball, tennis and golf. The college competes at the Division I level and is a member institution of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).
Having won 69 NJCAA national championships, TJC is one of the largest and most respected two-year college athletic programs in the country.
“We are very grateful to the CHRISTUS Community Health Care Information Fund for their generous investment in high-quality strength, conditioning and training for TJC students and our community,” said Mitch Andrews, TJC vice president of institutional advancement.