A Thank You to a Community That Shows UpJanuary 16, 2026

By Michael Dixon, Ed.D, MC Provost

I’ve been around the game of basketball for a long time, and every once in a while, a night comes along that stays with you.

Monday night was one of those nights.

As I looked around the Chaparral Center at a packed crowd filled with energy, pride, and purpose, I was taken back to an era when rivalries brought people together and the gym felt like the heart of the community.  When the Chap Center wasn’t just a place to watch a game, but a gathering space filled with neighbors, families, students, and future athletes dreaming of one day being on that floor themselves.

To our Midland College Family and wider Midland community, I have to give it to you. You did more than your part. You filled the Chap Center, you raised the energy, and you reminded everyone in the building what Chap pride looks like. The atmosphere was electric, and it was impossible not to feel it.

From the opening tip to the final buzzer, the support from our community was undeniable. At Midland College, we believe deeply in the power of community, collaboration, and student success. Monday night was a perfect reflection of all three coming together in one place.

One of the most meaningful moments of the night came between games as we honored our 2025 National Championship Golf team with the unveiling of their championship banner. To celebrate an achievement of that magnitude, the highest level of success, in front of such a large and energized crowd was incredibly special. That moment wasn’t just about a banner. It was about showing our student-athletes what’s possible when hard work, opportunity, and support align. I had the honor of revealing the banner for our student-athletes, Coach Williams, MC family, and the supportive crowd! I could not have been prouder of Midland and Midland College in that moment.

Your presence meant more to our student-athletes than you may ever know. At the community college level, athletics matter. For many of our players, especially local high school athletes, Midland College is the starting point. It’s where dreams are sharpened, confidence is built, and opportunities begin. When they look up and see a packed crowd behind them, it reinforces that their effort matters and that their community believes in them.

It matters just as much for the young athletes sitting in the stands. The ones watching closely, studying the game, feeding off the competitiveness, and imagining their own future on a court just like that. Those moments are powerful. They stay with you. I know they stayed with me when I was younger.

I also want to take a moment to offer a very personal thank you to the Goddard Junior High and San Jacinto Junior High basketball teams. Thank you for bringing the excitement during our runouts. You helped set the tone for the night, and our teams fed off your enthusiasm. Moments like that speak to the continued collaboration between Midland College and Midland ISD, and the shared commitment we have to supporting student-athletes at every level. Seeing those young athletes on our court was a reminder that the pipeline is strong and that our partnership with MISD continues to create meaningful opportunities for the next generation.

Monday night wasn’t just a couple of local basketball games.

For me, it was a reminder of who we are as a community, what Midland College stands for, and what can happen when people come together to support students, athletics, and each other.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for believing in our student-athletes, our programs, and Midland College. We’ll carry that energy with us, and we hope to see you back in the Chap Center at the remaining home games.