ASU Opens Renovated Handball Courts

"It's been amazing to see the transformation of these courts," said Diarmuid Mulkerrins, head handball coach. "We went from having four courts that needed significant repairs to having a facility that our players and everyone who uses these courts can really be proud of. For years, we've had to travel to other schools to compete. Now, we finally get to open our doors and welcome other teams and players to Angelo State."

"I'm really excited about what this means for our players," said Aoife Holden, assistant coach. "A lot of our players discover handball when they come to Angelo State. It gives them opportunities to travel, compete and be part of a team doing something they really enjoy. The newly-renovated courts are warm and welcoming, and we look forward to everyone enjoying them."

Following the ribbon cutting ceremony, attendees were invited onto the courts to learn the rules of handball and receive instruction from ASU Handball Team coaches and players. A commemorative plaque honoring Randolph and his contributions to the program was also unveiled.

"The generosity of Doug Randolph and the Randolph Foundation has helped advance handball at Angelo State from a niche activity to a nationally competitive collegiate sports program that we are all very proud of," said ASU President Ronnie Hawkins. "But the benefits of that support also extend beyond our handball program. All of our students, faculty and staff now have another top-notch athletics facility to enjoy, whether it's for handball, racquetball or other activities. It was a great day when Doug Randolph took an interest in our program."

That day came in 2020, when the Randolph Foundation awarded ASU a $1 million grant to establish the Dr. Warren Simpson Excellence Fund for Handball, which is named for the former kinesiology professor who started the ASU Handball Team. The fund is utilized to promote the sport of handball through the Department of Kinesiology, as well as to pay for uniforms, equipment, travel and tournament entry fees for the ASU Handball Team.

Randolph also provided additional funding so ASU could hire full-time handball coaches, and his total contributions to the ASU handball program now total almost $2.5 million.

"Doug is amazing, and he has truly helped transform the Angelo State handball program," Mulkerrins said. "His continued support has helped our program grow and has given so many students the opportunity to enjoy the sport. We are incredibly grateful for everything he and the Randolph Foundation for Higher Education have done for ASU handball."

The ASU Handball Team is already putting the newly-refurbished courts to good use by hosting its first on-campus tournament, the inaugural Rams Handball Invitational. Play began this afternoon and will run through Sunday, featuring approximately 70 competitors who traveled to ASU from throughout Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. They are competing in brackets for various ages and skill levels, including Open, B, Novice and Masters. Spectators are encouraged, and attendance is free.

The ASU Handball Team is a member of the U.S. Handball Association (USHA), and since Randolph began supporting the program, has won two USHA national championships. ASU student-athletes have also won seven individual national titles in singles and doubles competition, and Mulkerrins and Holden were named the 2025 USHA Collegiate Coaches of the Year.