I LOVE SPORTS.
I grew up watching games at Daniel Meyer Coliseum—front row. Purple was, and still is my favorite color. The Horned Frogs were my team. As kids, we wanted the players’ autographs, and we sought high-fives after games. We loved watching them compete for the Horned Frogs, and complete their collegiate careers at TCU.
That was before the new NIL free-for-all. Jamie and Bingo were household favorites. “Killer” and “Wacker” were real people. My dad was the President of the TCU Frog Club. We roasted pigs, knew every fight song in the Southwest Conference, and traveled to Waco and back in one night for basketball games. I grew up cheering for TCU on the court, and now I watch Jamie coach and listen to Bingo call Frog games on KTCU. Some of my most favorite childhood memories involve TCU athletics.
When I came to Winston-Salem in 1992, I remember thinking that this small town would officially be a ghost town when cigarette sales declined. I feared that the end was inevitable; Cafe Carerra and Staleys would be gone! For some reason, this Texas girl signed to play golf for Wake anyway, and somehow, 30 years later, Winston-Salem is still home.
Admittedly, I spend too much time on social media. A couple of weeks ago, a new page kept showing up in my stories. As Yoda would say, “Click on it, I did”. So, who is the team behind that cool logo?
It’s the Trailblazers. The Forsyth Tech Trailblazers. That’s right, Forsyth Tech. There’s a new college athletics program in town, and they will field a men’s basketball team and women’s volleyball team with games and matches starting this August. In fact, they already have 13 basketball players signed, and 12 volleyball players signed!
Did you know that Forsyth Tech has around 8,500 students, plus continuing ed students, and 9 campuses? Did you know that Forsyth Tech has 18 health science certificate and associate degree programs? I didn’t, but I do now. And I’m all in on Forsyth Tech.
HERE’S WHY YOU SHOULD BE TOO:
1. Athletic Director, Shelly Barnes: Get to know this name.
Shelly is a local gal, who attended Randleman HS and
graduated from High Point University. She describes herself
as a coach and an educator. Shelly is THE real deal. She
has spent the last 14 years in Junior College athletics. Her
current role as Athletic Director includes hiring coaches,
upfitting facilities, and fundraising, and her enthusiasm
is contagious. She took the job in March 2024, and says
“There aren’t many opportunities to be part of something
brand new”. Shelly is also excited to grow the athletics
program, and not be teaching and coaching as well. Per
Shelly, “Junior Colleges are the best-kept secret in education”.
2. Partnership with the YMCA: Until the athletics program
is able to offer a weight room, Forsyth Tech has partnered
with the NWNC YMCA to provide options for team and individual training.
3. Student Services: From the academic counseling
services, and “Workforce Wednesdays”, to the Shugart
Women’s Center, Forsyth Tech defines a school where
students are supported. “FTCC sets up students for success”, said Shelly.
4. Academic Standards: Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA to be eligible, and a 2.5 to keep their athletic scholarship.
5. Post Graduation: After their time at Forsyth Tech, whether
the student-athletes choose to pursue athletics or enter the workforce, they have options.
6. The Future of Winston-Salem: “Athletics will allow Forsyth Tech to offer an even more comprehensive college experience. In the competitive landscape, having athletics can certainly make FTCC a more attractive choice for students outside of Forsyth County, and provide a boost in enrollment. It also strengthens community engagement and creates more avenues for community involvement with the
college,” says Mike Lancaster, Chairman of the Board of Greater Winston-Salem, Inc.
WHAT’S NEXT:
1. State Funds are not available to Junior Colleges to help fund athletics. Corporate sponsorships and private donors are needed!
2. Athletics training program!
3. Soccer, anyone? With a successful start to basketball and volleyball, and fi nancial stability, maybe another sport like soccer could be added in the future.
4. Let the games begin! Basketball, with head coach Lucas Hunter, and volleyball with head coach Sarah Weavil will start their
inaugural seasons in August 2025. The gym floor has been refurbished, and locker rooms have been completely renovated.
The new spaces will be dynamic recruiting tools, something unique to a JUCO. All games will be played at Forsyth Tech’s West campus, at 1300 Bolton St. The gym will hold just under 700 people.
Maybe the City of Arts and Innovation should be the City of Arts, Innovation, and Athletics, or
bett er yet, the City of Arts, Innovation, and Opportunity. Get ready, Winston-Salem.
HERE COME THE TRAILBLAZERS!
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Carolinas Realty
Tori Boysen
Broker
336-345-3499
tori.boysen@bhhscarolinas.com
toriboysen.com
