From The Desk of #ADJD
12/22/2023 9:00:00 AM | General
TCU Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Jeremiah Donati discusses the hot topics around the Horned Frogs
Dear Horned Frogs:
Happy Holidays! I hope everyone has a most enjoyable and safe holiday season with family and friends. As our fall semester concluded last week, we congratulate our 25 student-athletes and all TCU students who took part in commencement ceremonies. Our most recent graduating class of student-athletes included Big 12 Conference champions, All-Big 12 recipients, TCU and conference record holders as well as national leaders. It is always so gratifying to see our student-athletes reach this achievement and earn their degree from TCU. Congratulations to all of our new grads!
NATIONAL SIGNING DAY
Wednesday was a great day for our football program as Head Coach Sonny Dykes and his staff signed an outstanding recruiting class that placed second in the Big 12 Conference. We also ranked fourth nationally in our transfer portal additions. Combined with the hiring of new Defensive Coordinator Andy Avalos, it has been a busy offseason thus far. You can certainly feel the excitement and momentum as we begin preparations for the 2024 campaign.
Coach Avalos has an impressive resume of success in the defensive coordinator role from previous work at Boise State and Oregon. He was most recently Head Coach at Boise State - his alma mater - where he was a standout linebacker. During his time in Eugene, the Ducks won back-to-back Pac-12 Conference Championships in 2019 and 2020. Oregon's defense was ranked among the nation's best with Coach Avalos being a Broyles Award Semifinalist. He was then Mountain West Coach of the Year at Boise State. Welcome to TCU, Coach Avalos!
SUCCESS ON THE HARDWOOD
Our men's and women's basketball programs are enjoying outstanding starts to their seasons!
Last Saturday, Big 12 Conference Player of the Week Micah Peavy had one of the more special days a student-athlete can enjoy. After receiving his degree in the morning, he recorded just the third triple-double in program history with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in our 79-59 win over Arizona State at Dickies Arena. The men are 9-1 and in Hawaii for the Diamond Head Classic. After yesterday's 111-87 win over Old Dominion, we face Nevada today at 4:00 p.m. on ESPN2.
Under first-year Head Coach Mark Campbell, the women are 12-0 for the best start in program history and ranked 25th in this week's Associated Press poll. The 12-game winning streak is our longest ever, breaking the school record 11 in a row in 2000-01 when we won the WAC for our first conference championship and made our debut appearance in the NCAA Tournament. We close nonconference play tonight at 6:30 p.m. when we host Mount St. Mary's.
Between the men and women, we were one of the final three schools nationally to have both its basketball programs still undefeated.
SPORTS REPORT
In addition to the basketball success, we are very proud of our volleyball program. With a win over No. 22 Florida State, our second victory of the season over the Seminoles, we advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time. This terrific accomplishment also comes in Jason Williams' first two seasons as head coach.
Our cross country program was also represented on the national level as Gracie Morris competed for a second straight year at the NCAA Championships.
HONOR ROLL
There were plenty of accolades to go around this fall across our sports programs and many standout performances! In case you missed it:
In its inaugural season, our women's triathlon program finished sixth at its national championship with Maria Coral and Sara Gimena becoming our first All-Americans in the sport.
We are also represented on the All-America front in volleyball with Melanie Parra. Jalyn Gibson joined Melanie on the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Southwest Region Team. Melanie was also a unanimous First-Team All-Big 12 recipient with Jalyn and Audrey Nalls on the second team.
On the pitch, Gracie Brian, Seven Castain, Grace Coppinger and Olivia Hasler were named All-Midwest Region by the United Soccer Coaches. Gracie and Seven were First-Team All-Big 12 Conference with Grace, Olivia and Oli Pena earning second-team honors. Gracie was also a Scholar All-American.
Led by Jared Wiley on the first team and Brandon Coleman and Josh Newton as second-team selections, we had 19 football student-athletes receive All-Big 12 recognition. Additionally, Willis Patrick was a second-team recipient on the Associated Press All-Big 12 Team.
After winning the AVCA Fall Collegiate Beach Championship, beach volleyball's Hailey Hamlett and Anhelina Khmil were named Conference USA's Pair of the Month. Well done, Hailey and Anhelina!
NCAA LANDSCAPE
I do not have a specific update to provide here other than to simply state that changes are coming to college athletics. While in Las Vegas at Big 12 Conference meetings a couple weeks ago, all my league counterparts and I were together when NCAA President Charlie Baker announced a plan for a new collegiate sports model proposing a number of dramatic changes to the current one. I applaud President Baker for starting this important conversation across the membership about what our future looks like and taking initiative to that end. If you have any free time over the holidays, I encourage you to read his remarks and review some significant lawsuits that are ongoing such as the House and Carter cases involving the NCAA and others.
While I cannot predict how all of this will play out, I can assure you that TCU will adapt to whatever changes come our way - as we always have - and we are committed to competing at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics and providing an outstanding experience to our student-athletes.
THE MUCKLEROYS
Like many of you, we were devastated and heartbroken to learn about the tragedy that occurred involving Zach, Judson and Lindsay Muckleroy. Our thoughts, prayers, and love are with the entire family and to all who know and love them. They are not just a huge part of TCU, but the Fort Worth community as well. You just won't find better people. Like so many others, I was fortunate to call Zach a friend and grateful for the time we spent together and the support and encouragement he always showed when we were together. Zach, Judson and Lindsay had such a positive impact on everyone they knew and are deeply missed. We are here to support Lauren and their family in any manner possible. The Muckleroys are forever TCU.
To honor Zach, we are very proud to announce the establishment of the Zach Muckleroy Scholarship to be awarded to a walk-on football student-athlete at TCU. Gifts can be made towards the scholarship HERE. If giving online, please type "Zach Muckleroy Scholarship" in the comment box on the bottom of the form. Other ways to donate are by mailing a check to the TCU Frog Club at TCU Box 297140, Fort Worth, Texas, 76129 and writing "Zach Muckleroy Scholarship" in the memo line, or by calling the Frog Club office at 817.257.7700.
FLYING T CLUB
Your support of the Flying T Club is extremely important in our ability to recruit and retain the best student-athletes possible for us to compete for championships! Thank you to all the members and supporters who have answered the call thus far in support of NIL.
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Flying T Club is the lone NIL collective directly working with our student-athletes. Perks of a membership include exclusive Flying T gear and access to events with TCU coaches and players. We appreciate the more than 300 people who attended the recent Flying T Club event at Joe T. Garcia's.
If you have any questions about making a gift, the different giving levels available, upcoming events or a partnership with your business, just email info@flyingtclub.com or give them a follow on social media at @flyingtclub.
BRANDR GROUP PARTNERSHIP
We are very proud to announce a group licensing agreement with The Brandr Group. This unique partnership for our 500-plus student-athletes enables them to profit from their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) through a number of opportunities that will be co-branded with our official TCU trademarks and logos.
In our new era of NIL, The Brandr Group is the perfect fit for us to form an NIL partnership to financially support our student-athletes, enhance their personal brands and increase the services we provide them. Our fans can play a pivotal role as all purchases of co-branded product directly provide our student-athletes with a portion of the royalties.
Official TCU merchandise, including team jerseys with the name and number of players who have joined the group licensing program, are available now through the TCU Campus Store with more products and student-athletes to come. Potential licensees interested in learning more should contact Kathleen Melvin at Kathleen.Melvin@tbgusa.com.
END OF YEAR GIVING INFORMATION
As the end of the calendar year approaches, please remember to submit your year-end gift by Friday, December 29, to ensure it is counted as a donation in 2023. More flexible ways to give can also be found HERE. Any questions about year-end giving or any aspect of making a donation can be directed to the Frog Club at frogclub@tcu.edu or 817.257.7700. Thank you as always for your support of TCU Athletics!
TICKET OFFICE REMINDERS
With our baseball program coming off a College World Series appearance, season ticket renewals for the upcoming season have begun. Please note the January 12 deadline.
We very much appreciate everyone who placed orders for the Big 12 Men's and Women's Basketball Championships in Kansas City. All tickets will be electronic and emailed in early March. The women begin play March 7 at T-Mobile Center with the men's tournament commencing March 12.
You should have received an email survey from the Big 12 Conference regarding the Basketball Championships. Feedback is being requested from the donor bases of each member institution regarding the ticket buying process. This encompasses all aspects of the purchase experience, including the appetite for best seats available, price point comfortability, club access and merchandise.
BREAKING GROUND
We are just weeks away from moving dirt on our $50 million Athletics Human Performance Center Renovation and Expansion project. Thank you once again to all our donors for making this facility possible for the 500-plus student-athletes in our program. They will all be positively impacted by the renovation of the existing Bob Lilly Performance Center, construction of a new state-of-the-art Football Performance Center and development of a Restoration and Wellness Center.
PRO FROGS
Congratulations to our 2019 Big 12 Conference Champion Hayden Springer on earning his PGA Tour card! Hayden joins Paul Barjon and Tom Hoge to give us three Horned Frogs currently on the Tour.
Go Frogs!
Jeremiah Donati, J.D.
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
Happy Holidays! I hope everyone has a most enjoyable and safe holiday season with family and friends. As our fall semester concluded last week, we congratulate our 25 student-athletes and all TCU students who took part in commencement ceremonies. Our most recent graduating class of student-athletes included Big 12 Conference champions, All-Big 12 recipients, TCU and conference record holders as well as national leaders. It is always so gratifying to see our student-athletes reach this achievement and earn their degree from TCU. Congratulations to all of our new grads!
NATIONAL SIGNING DAY
Wednesday was a great day for our football program as Head Coach Sonny Dykes and his staff signed an outstanding recruiting class that placed second in the Big 12 Conference. We also ranked fourth nationally in our transfer portal additions. Combined with the hiring of new Defensive Coordinator Andy Avalos, it has been a busy offseason thus far. You can certainly feel the excitement and momentum as we begin preparations for the 2024 campaign.
Coach Avalos has an impressive resume of success in the defensive coordinator role from previous work at Boise State and Oregon. He was most recently Head Coach at Boise State - his alma mater - where he was a standout linebacker. During his time in Eugene, the Ducks won back-to-back Pac-12 Conference Championships in 2019 and 2020. Oregon's defense was ranked among the nation's best with Coach Avalos being a Broyles Award Semifinalist. He was then Mountain West Coach of the Year at Boise State. Welcome to TCU, Coach Avalos!
SUCCESS ON THE HARDWOOD
Our men's and women's basketball programs are enjoying outstanding starts to their seasons!
Last Saturday, Big 12 Conference Player of the Week Micah Peavy had one of the more special days a student-athlete can enjoy. After receiving his degree in the morning, he recorded just the third triple-double in program history with 13 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists in our 79-59 win over Arizona State at Dickies Arena. The men are 9-1 and in Hawaii for the Diamond Head Classic. After yesterday's 111-87 win over Old Dominion, we face Nevada today at 4:00 p.m. on ESPN2.
Under first-year Head Coach Mark Campbell, the women are 12-0 for the best start in program history and ranked 25th in this week's Associated Press poll. The 12-game winning streak is our longest ever, breaking the school record 11 in a row in 2000-01 when we won the WAC for our first conference championship and made our debut appearance in the NCAA Tournament. We close nonconference play tonight at 6:30 p.m. when we host Mount St. Mary's.
Between the men and women, we were one of the final three schools nationally to have both its basketball programs still undefeated.
SPORTS REPORT
In addition to the basketball success, we are very proud of our volleyball program. With a win over No. 22 Florida State, our second victory of the season over the Seminoles, we advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament in back-to-back seasons for the first time. This terrific accomplishment also comes in Jason Williams' first two seasons as head coach.
Our cross country program was also represented on the national level as Gracie Morris competed for a second straight year at the NCAA Championships.
HONOR ROLL
There were plenty of accolades to go around this fall across our sports programs and many standout performances! In case you missed it:
In its inaugural season, our women's triathlon program finished sixth at its national championship with Maria Coral and Sara Gimena becoming our first All-Americans in the sport.
We are also represented on the All-America front in volleyball with Melanie Parra. Jalyn Gibson joined Melanie on the American Volleyball Coaches Association All-Southwest Region Team. Melanie was also a unanimous First-Team All-Big 12 recipient with Jalyn and Audrey Nalls on the second team.
On the pitch, Gracie Brian, Seven Castain, Grace Coppinger and Olivia Hasler were named All-Midwest Region by the United Soccer Coaches. Gracie and Seven were First-Team All-Big 12 Conference with Grace, Olivia and Oli Pena earning second-team honors. Gracie was also a Scholar All-American.
Led by Jared Wiley on the first team and Brandon Coleman and Josh Newton as second-team selections, we had 19 football student-athletes receive All-Big 12 recognition. Additionally, Willis Patrick was a second-team recipient on the Associated Press All-Big 12 Team.
After winning the AVCA Fall Collegiate Beach Championship, beach volleyball's Hailey Hamlett and Anhelina Khmil were named Conference USA's Pair of the Month. Well done, Hailey and Anhelina!
NCAA LANDSCAPE
I do not have a specific update to provide here other than to simply state that changes are coming to college athletics. While in Las Vegas at Big 12 Conference meetings a couple weeks ago, all my league counterparts and I were together when NCAA President Charlie Baker announced a plan for a new collegiate sports model proposing a number of dramatic changes to the current one. I applaud President Baker for starting this important conversation across the membership about what our future looks like and taking initiative to that end. If you have any free time over the holidays, I encourage you to read his remarks and review some significant lawsuits that are ongoing such as the House and Carter cases involving the NCAA and others.
While I cannot predict how all of this will play out, I can assure you that TCU will adapt to whatever changes come our way - as we always have - and we are committed to competing at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics and providing an outstanding experience to our student-athletes.
THE MUCKLEROYS
Like many of you, we were devastated and heartbroken to learn about the tragedy that occurred involving Zach, Judson and Lindsay Muckleroy. Our thoughts, prayers, and love are with the entire family and to all who know and love them. They are not just a huge part of TCU, but the Fort Worth community as well. You just won't find better people. Like so many others, I was fortunate to call Zach a friend and grateful for the time we spent together and the support and encouragement he always showed when we were together. Zach, Judson and Lindsay had such a positive impact on everyone they knew and are deeply missed. We are here to support Lauren and their family in any manner possible. The Muckleroys are forever TCU.
To honor Zach, we are very proud to announce the establishment of the Zach Muckleroy Scholarship to be awarded to a walk-on football student-athlete at TCU. Gifts can be made towards the scholarship HERE. If giving online, please type "Zach Muckleroy Scholarship" in the comment box on the bottom of the form. Other ways to donate are by mailing a check to the TCU Frog Club at TCU Box 297140, Fort Worth, Texas, 76129 and writing "Zach Muckleroy Scholarship" in the memo line, or by calling the Frog Club office at 817.257.7700.
FLYING T CLUB
Your support of the Flying T Club is extremely important in our ability to recruit and retain the best student-athletes possible for us to compete for championships! Thank you to all the members and supporters who have answered the call thus far in support of NIL.
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Flying T Club is the lone NIL collective directly working with our student-athletes. Perks of a membership include exclusive Flying T gear and access to events with TCU coaches and players. We appreciate the more than 300 people who attended the recent Flying T Club event at Joe T. Garcia's.
If you have any questions about making a gift, the different giving levels available, upcoming events or a partnership with your business, just email info@flyingtclub.com or give them a follow on social media at @flyingtclub.
BRANDR GROUP PARTNERSHIP
We are very proud to announce a group licensing agreement with The Brandr Group. This unique partnership for our 500-plus student-athletes enables them to profit from their Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) through a number of opportunities that will be co-branded with our official TCU trademarks and logos.
In our new era of NIL, The Brandr Group is the perfect fit for us to form an NIL partnership to financially support our student-athletes, enhance their personal brands and increase the services we provide them. Our fans can play a pivotal role as all purchases of co-branded product directly provide our student-athletes with a portion of the royalties.
Official TCU merchandise, including team jerseys with the name and number of players who have joined the group licensing program, are available now through the TCU Campus Store with more products and student-athletes to come. Potential licensees interested in learning more should contact Kathleen Melvin at Kathleen.Melvin@tbgusa.com.
END OF YEAR GIVING INFORMATION
As the end of the calendar year approaches, please remember to submit your year-end gift by Friday, December 29, to ensure it is counted as a donation in 2023. More flexible ways to give can also be found HERE. Any questions about year-end giving or any aspect of making a donation can be directed to the Frog Club at frogclub@tcu.edu or 817.257.7700. Thank you as always for your support of TCU Athletics!
TICKET OFFICE REMINDERS
With our baseball program coming off a College World Series appearance, season ticket renewals for the upcoming season have begun. Please note the January 12 deadline.
We very much appreciate everyone who placed orders for the Big 12 Men's and Women's Basketball Championships in Kansas City. All tickets will be electronic and emailed in early March. The women begin play March 7 at T-Mobile Center with the men's tournament commencing March 12.
You should have received an email survey from the Big 12 Conference regarding the Basketball Championships. Feedback is being requested from the donor bases of each member institution regarding the ticket buying process. This encompasses all aspects of the purchase experience, including the appetite for best seats available, price point comfortability, club access and merchandise.
BREAKING GROUND
We are just weeks away from moving dirt on our $50 million Athletics Human Performance Center Renovation and Expansion project. Thank you once again to all our donors for making this facility possible for the 500-plus student-athletes in our program. They will all be positively impacted by the renovation of the existing Bob Lilly Performance Center, construction of a new state-of-the-art Football Performance Center and development of a Restoration and Wellness Center.
PRO FROGS
Congratulations to our 2019 Big 12 Conference Champion Hayden Springer on earning his PGA Tour card! Hayden joins Paul Barjon and Tom Hoge to give us three Horned Frogs currently on the Tour.
DID YOU KNOW?
TCU's accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) has been reaffirmed for the next 10 years. This is terrific news and a great statement on TCU meeting its core values of being a world-class, values-centered university. While so many on campus played a role in our accreditation, I would like to personally thank Senior Associate Athletics Director/Athletics Financial Officer Kenneth Janak and Deputy Athletics Director for Internal Affairs Mike Sinquefield for being our athletics department representatives in this process.
Go Frogs!
Jeremiah Donati, J.D.
Director of Intercollegiate Athletics
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