Posted: Dec 07, 2023

Wildhorse Foundation Awards BMCC Athletics

PENDLETON, Ore. - BMCC Athletics has been awarded one of the prestigious grants awarded by the Wildhorse Foundation to improve the McCrae Activity Center sound system. The grant totals $17,557.81 to work with Ted Brown AVL Services for the purchase and installation of the new speaker system in the gym. The gym is constantly used by community groups, and the BMCC athletic teams, and hosts the BMCC POWWOW every spring.

BMCC athletics began in 1964 with the formation of the baseball, and men's basketball teams, with women’s basketball joining BMCC in 1970. Since then, six collegiate athletic sports have been added to the college with men's and women's golf joining the Timberwolves in the fall of 2024. The BMCC athletics department strives to help BMCC’s vision and mission of being a recognized educational leader in achieving student success, completion, and advancement, and providing responsive and high-quality innovative educational programs and services that promote personal and professional growth to strengthen our communities. The athletics department works diligently with its athletes to help them achieve their athletic and educational goals. In the past ten years, over 100 BMCC athletes have moved on to play collegiate athletics at four-year universities and further their education.

With multiple student-athletes graduating from physical therapy school, and law school, two being selected to the Oregon governors student of the year list, and the rich history of the volleyball and basketball teams, BMCC athletics strives to bring its community together through bringing the game day experience and being a host to multiple community-led events within the McCrae Activity Center. We are also proud that our BMCC athletes are committed to giving back to their community by involving themselves in local community events. Grant funds will be used to purchase a modern sound system for the MAC gym. The MAC gym hosts over 50 athletic and community events a year and approximately 300 spectators cheer on our athletes at each event. With a modern sound system, BMCC can create a robust collegiate-level game day environment for the athletes and the fans from our communities who come to support the student-athletes.

Recruiting has become one of the hallmarks of college athletics, and for good reason. Prospective student-athletes across our state and region are looking not only for a school or a team but for a place that will help them develop to their fullest potential. Creating an excellent student-athlete experience starts with where they spend a substantial amount of their time: training facilities. The design of these spaces has a direct impact on the development of a student-athlete, and this development must be holistic. BMCC athletics, along with the teamwork from its maintenance department and other groups have led the improvement and renovation of many of its facilities. With the generous help of the Wildhorse Foundation, the aging sound system can now be replaced and improved in the MAC. The MAC gym also serves as a Red Cross Emergency Shelter, where a modern sound system would be vital to communication for the people who have sought shelter. Effective communication during an emergency can help lower anxiety and stress, be reassuring, and provide important information.

"BMCC Athletics would like to thank the Wildhorse Foundation for their generosity and their support of our students, student-athletes, and community," said Assistant Athletic Director Jordan Hillmick. "This helps our students and school immensely and we cannot thank them enough."

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Contact: Jordan Hillmick; Sports Information Director; 541-278-5964; jhillmick@bluecc.edu