The INSIDER - Fall 2022

NEW LEADERSHIP STEERS ATHLETICS FORWARD Texas College places winning and graduating student - athletes at the forefront of institutional goals. With a commitment to these priorities, the Fall 2022 athletic season of competition served as a strong foundation toward revamping the department. In his first year at the helm, Athletic Director Randy Butler remains devoted and perseverant to his vision of rebuilding and overhauling Texas College Steer Athletics. “It’s not overnight, regrettably. It’s a process,” commented Butler as he discussed the Fall 2022 athletic season collectively. “We’re making progress, and we will continue to make progress — step by step and day by day — until we are where we need to be. That being said, this fall produced a lot of positives and a lot of steps toward where we want to be.” Those positives references are undoubtedly notable, spanning across a multitude of sports. After a three - year drought, Steer Football broke into the win column by defeating Lyon College. Led by freshman quarterback Isaiah Sadler and freshman wide receiver Terrell Hookfin, the Steers electrified the gridiron in an epic come - from - behind victory, which respectively earned each of them recognition as the top performer for the week throughout the state of Texas at all levels of college football. Sadler’s performance even garnered Sadler Player Of The Week honors from both the Sooner Athletic Conference (SAC) and Texas Football Life. Sadler finished the season ranked second in passing yards per game in all of NAIA; Hookfin finished third in receiving yards per game in all of NAIA. Their youth, coupled with an obvious connection on the field, seems to be something Steer Football fans can look forward to for the next three years. In addition to Sadler and Hookfin, the Steers collectively had over 15 student - athletes ranked within SAC’s top 25 players throughout a variety of offensive and defensive statistics. Both the Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams are off to a great start. Each scoring a string of victories early in the season, both teams foreshadow a promising and an exciting year for Steer Basketball. First - year Coach Selena Reyna, who took over the reigns of Steer Softball at the end of last season, successfully guided the program into the win column for the first time in 10 seasons. With a productive fall, Reyna looks to build on that success in the spring. The arrow for Steer Athletics is pointing north. With robust recruiting efforts underway, each of the Texas College athletic programs should experience a positive and competitive impact that is anticipated to help turn the corner for Steer Athletics. While concerted efforts are focused on performance on the field or court, congruent energies continue to be concentrated on ensuring success within the classroom as well to keep student - athletes on their trek toward degree attainment. “The academic aspect to all of this is the most important piece,” noted Butler. “That’s the entire reason they are here — to get an education and to receive their degree. At Texas College, we are building lifelong leaders devoted to learning and service long after they have crossed the stage.”

Texas College Student-Athletes (left)

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