UT Martin Skyhawk Club
Hello Skyhawk Fans,
Another successful UT Martin Athletics season is in the books as our department is looking forward to carrying that momentum into the 2026-27 season.
We had many “firsts” for Skyhawk Athletics last season, starting with our men’s cross country team capturing its first Ohio Valley Conference championship in program history. The winter season included our men’s basketball program tying the school record with 22 victories while ranking in the top-10 nationally in four separate statistical categories. During the spring, TJ Grines became UT Martin’s first baseball representative to win OVC Player of the Year accolades on the way to shattering multiple school and league records, including a NCAA-best 66 stolen bases. This summer, Clint Southworth placed third in the nation in tie down roping at the College National Finals Rodeo – which was our program’s best finish in that event since 2014.
I am just as proud as our accomplishments outside of the playing field as we continued our record-setting run academically and socially. Our student-athletes combined for a 3.39 Grade Point Average for the 2025- 26 academic season, which is the highest GPA in departmental history. We also tallied over 5,500 hours of community service last season – 100 more than the previous school record set in 2024-25. As we look ahead to 2026-27, our third annual Skyhawk Palooza free community event will take place on Aug. 27 in conjunction with our football season opener against Central Arkansas at Hardy Graham Stadium. Our Homecoming football game is scheduled for Oct. 31 while the 59th Annual Spring College Rodeo is set for early April. That is shaping up to be a special event as we welcome our new head coach Ken Mason back to his alma mater after he has led Missouri Valley College to national prominence over the past 21 seasons.
Sweeping changes continue to emerge across our department at the NCAA, conference and local levels. Your support has never been more important as we strive to maintain our reputation as one of the best all-around athletic departments in the OVC. Please know that your financial contributions and generosity matter a great deal in helping our student-athletes achieve their dreams. Whether you are a longtime supporter or are considering donating for the first time, we are so proud to include you as a major part of our program.
Go Skyhawks!
Kurt McGuffin, Vice Chancellor & Director of Athletics
WELCOME TO THE UT MARTIN SKYHAWK CLUB
The Skyhawk Club is UT Martin's official organization for generating private financial support to our athletic programs. All funds are managed through the Athletic Development Coordinator in accordance with the University's official policies and procedures and approved Skyhawk Club guidelines. Contributions through the Skyhawk Club help expand scholarship opportunities for student-athletes, maintain and improve physical facilities, provide academic support programming, and many other resources necessary to help our teams compete in the Ohio Valley Conference.
Skyhawk Club members are represented by a board of directors which includes members of the athletics staff as well as off-campus Skyhawk Club members. This board meets twice each year to advise the Chancellor and the Director of Athletics on matters involving fund-raising issues and initiatives. Contributions through the Skyhawk Club can be made to intercollegiate athletics in general, or may be restricted to a specific sport or program. Documentation is maintained to ensure that all donor's contributions benefit their designated program. This represents contributions from over 1300 active Skyhawk Club members who are helping to give our student-athletes the best opportunity to succeed! Click HERE for printable brochure. Click HERE to donate now.
For more information on the Skyhawk Club and Skyhawk Club benefits, please contact Lora McDonald at 731-881-3630 .