Women's Basketball Returns to TSJC
Set to return to TSJC in 2010
“The Trojan Legacy of Athletic Excellence” is the slogan on the mural that was painted on the east wall of Scott Gymnasium. The mural features pictures of sports programs from TSJC’s past looking down over Toupal Court. It shows everything from football to cross country, wrestling to tennis, and shooting to track and field. There are two other programs featured on that wall but they are no longer just part of TSJC’s past. First Golf returned to Trinidad State in 2006 and now in the fall of 2010 the Lady Trojan Basketball team will retake the court.
It has been over 20 years since Trinidad State Junior College fielded a Women’s Basketball squad. The last full season was played in 1985-1986 under the direction of Coach Marv Wetzel. Thanks to the efforts of Interim President Felix Lopez and Athletic Director Rich Holden plans are in motion to resurrect the program. A schedule is being constructed which will see the Trojans join the southern part of Region IX where they will again compete with Otero, Lamar and Northeastern Junior College. The new team will hope to tap into the rich Trinidad State athletic traditions to make an immediate impact.
“Tradition is so important to the success of any endeavor in life. The tradition of outstanding athletics at Trinidad State Junior College was what attracted me to this area,” commented Holden. “The numbers, in terms of wins and losses speak for themselves in all of the programs throughout the years, but it’s the many people who got their start, or have served in any capacity as a Trojan, that tells the real story of TSJC athletic tradition. With the addition of Women’s Basketball next year, we will once again be reviving part of this outstanding athletic tradition.”
“On behalf of our athletic staff, I would like to thank President Felix Lopez for believing strongly in the benefits of athletics in our rural Community Colleges and especially in Trinidad. Also our Faculty and staff, who are tough on our athletes yet understanding and kind. The biggest thanks in these economic times, however, belong to our educational foundation and our community booster club members and board of directors. They have continued to provide, year in and year out, support that allow us to compete in the very competitive National Junior College Athletics Association. GO TROJANS!!!”
Recruiting for this new group of Lady Trojans will be getting underway in the very near future. Go to www.trinidadstate.edu and click on the sports link for more information.
