Football is back at Texas Wesleyan.

Today, the university officially signed its first football commitments to the university’s revived program.

“Today is a historic day for the players, their families, our program and the university,” Head Coach Joe Prud’homme said. “These student-athletes are making a commitment to write Texas Wesleyan history and be a part of a something truly special."

Prud’homme has stressed that there is a deep pool of football talent in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The initial signings fall into that mold as all four recruits played football at high schools in the Fort Worth and Arlington area. 

• Bailey Dozier is a 6’1” receiver out of Arlington High School where he played for coach Scott Peach
• Jarod Erwin played defensive end and running back and was an All-State selection for head coach Steve Hohulin at Temple Christian School in Fort Worth
• Ty Lee was an All-District selection at center for coach Randall Hugg at Chisolm Trail High School
• Carlos Porras played receiver and outside linebacker for coach Jim Jeffries at Riverside High School in Fort Worth

“We are committed to recruiting and educating top-tier student-athletes,” Prud’homme said. “There is a lot of great talent in Texas. We’re looking for players that want to play tough and win, and those who want a great education and college experience.”

Coach Prud’homme, Offensive Coordinator Calvin Powell and Defensive Coordinator Paul Duckworth are recruiting football players to begin at Texas Wesleyan next fall. Players that are interested in joining the team should apply now.

Texas Wesleyan announced last month that it is reestablishing the University's football program with a red-shirt leadership class that will begin practicing during the 2016-17 season. Games are scheduled to begin in the 2017-18 season.

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Above: Allen Henderson, provost and senior vice president; Pati Alexander, vice president for enrollment and student services; Fred Slabach, president; and Peter Grant Jordan, Ed.D., president, TCC South Campus, pose at the TCC South Campus Celebration of Excellence on April 19.

Texas Wesleyan University was selected from among five other community organizations, groups and institutions to receive the Tarrant County College South Campus Outstanding Community Partner Award for 2016.

The award is presented to partner organizations that have demonstrated extraordinary support for TCC South Campus, and have collaborated with faculty and staff to further the TCC mission and vision. 

“The students are the real winners of our outstanding partnership with TCC,” Texas Wesleyan President Frederick G. Slabach, said. “We work together to make the transition from TCC to Texas Wesleyan seamless, while continuing to look for innovative ways to grow our partnership.”

One example of innovation to benefit students is Texas Wesleyan’s Smaller. Smarter. Promise. Scholarship. The scholarship, launched in Fall 2015, awards free tuition to qualifying community college transfer students.

“Texas Wesleyan is a dedicated, selfless and inspiring partner with TCC,” Peter Grant Jordan, Ed.D., president, TCC South Campus, said. “We appreciate Texas Wesleyan’s support as we strive daily to deliver on TCC values of excellence, diversity, innovation, lifelong learning, affordability and accessibility to education for residents of Tarrant County.”

President Slabach, Allen Henderson, provost and senior vice president and Pati Alexander, vice president for enrollment and student services, accepted the award at TCC’s Celebration of Excellence Award Ceremony on April 19 at the TCC South Campus Student Center.

Above: Texas Wesleyan University President Frederick G. Slabach and FWISD Superintendent Dr. Kent P. Scribner sign an agreement that will allow Dunbar students to earn college credit from Texas Wesleyan at no cost to the student.

Video: Watch FWISD's video of the announcement

Texas Wesleyan University and Fort Worth ISD announced today a grant-funded partnership that provides students at Paul Laurence Dunbar High School the opportunity to get a jump start on their college career. 

Beginning in the Fall of 2016, Dunbar students will have the chance to enroll in and attend Texas Wesleyan classes conducted primarily in Dunbar classrooms.

“Texas Wesleyan is dedicated to being a catalyst for the economic resurgence of Southeast Fort Worth and to making our top-tier university accessible and affordable,” Texas Wesleyan President Frederick G. Slabach said. “The students and families at Dunbar High School that take advantage of this opportunity will reap the benefits for many years to come.”

Enrolled students have the opportunity to graduate from high school with 60 college credit hours completed, saving significant time and money toward their college education. This program will be at no cost to the students.

“Our mission is to prepare all students for college, career and community leadership,” said FWISD Superintendent Dr. Kent P. Scribner. “This community partnership with Texas Wesleyan is in absolute alignment with our focus of providing opportunity to our students.”

More than one-third of Texas Wesleyan students are first-generation college students and more than half are from Tarrant County.

This dual enrollment program will begin with approximately 100 incoming 9^th grade students. The first graduating class would be in 2021. Students would be encouraged to continue their studies at Texas Wesleyan or another four-year university.

Texas Wesleyan is a private, coeducational university in Fort Worth. The university has seen significant growth in recent years as the result of the revitalization of East Fort Worth and its award-winning “Smaller. Smarter.” marketing program. Founded in 1890, the university recently celebrated its 125th anniversary, making it the longest-serving educational institution in Fort Worth.