DERIC MCCURRY OF AUSTIN COLLEGE, a sophomore member of the swimming & diving team, has been selected as the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Male Character and Community Student-Athlete of the Week for the week beginning April 18, 2016.
The SCAC honors the efforts of student-athletes who excel in the field of athletics, and also serve their campus and community.
McCurry is still less than halfway through his time at Austin College, but the sophomore from Littlefield, Texas has already achieved a significant amount both in the pool and in the community. As a member of the Kangaroo swimming and diving team, McCurry has been a key member of the rapidly improving program, but it’s his work away from Hannah Natatorium that’s been even more impressive.
Despite being only a sophomore, McCurry is already the Austin College Greek Council president, and in that role he’s organized a canned food drive as part of a more service-oriented Greek Week. Through his efforts, the recent canned food drive supplied hundreds of cans to the North Texas Food Bank, and in addition he has also organized a fundraiser for Water Is Life – an organization that provides water-filtering straws to third world countries.
This year he’s committed more than 50 hours of community service, doing things such as packing gift boxes for children in need and participating in trash pick-ups, and as an Austin College ACtivator, he has also participated in local weekend church retreats as a small group leader.
McCurry’ cousin suffers from type 1 diabetes, and that has also inspired the second year swimmer to organize a campus-wide dodgeball tournament with all entry proceeds going to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. McCurry has also participated in the JDRF One Walk in Dallas in support of his cousin.
Through his fraternity, Chi Tau Chi, McCurry has also coordinated another canned food drive that raised 367 cans for Grand Central Station Soup Kitchen in Sherman, and this spring he also organized a campus-wide kickball tournament with proceeds going to the Lymphoma Research Foundation. In conjunction with that event, he also participated in the Lymphoma Walk in Dallas.
McCurry’s service and volunteer work go beyond even these events. As he says, outside of the pool, service and leadership is where his heart lies.
Miguel “Mikey” Garcia (SR, San Juan, Texas/PSJA North HS) is a member of the Schreiner Baseball program.
Mikey has been a vital part of the Mountaineers both on and off the field the past four seasons. Along with helping Schreiner on the diamond, Garcia has shown contributions off the field, also. Upon arriving in Kerrville, Mikey has become involved with volunteer efforts such as the San Antonio Food Drive and creating the Veterans Volunteer committee, while also being active back home in the community with such groups as PAL (Police Athletic League) and his church, St. John’s Lutheran.
A Sports Management major, Mikey has volunteered in many projects such as assisting in a local food drive, coaching local children through camps, and Vacation Bible School. With his work with the local Veterans Association, Schreiner Athletics will continue a positive and active relationship that will continue after his graduation.