Academy Notebook: Three Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes sign with HBCUs; Breaking Barriers Essay Contest

Three Texas Rangers Youth Academy athletes sign with Historically Black Colleges and Universities

Earlier this month, on National Signing Day, the Texas Rangers Youth Academy added to its extensive list of athletes playing ball at the collegiate level. Among those who signed a National Letter of Intent are Timothy Grant, Chris Marcellus and Tamya Waiters, who will all play at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

Shortstop Timothy Grant will play at Wiley College, catcher Chris Marcellus will play at Grambling State University and pitcher Tamya Waiters will play softball at Florida A&M University. In addition to continuing their baseball and softball careers at the collegiate level, Grant, Marcellus and Waiters will join 11 former Youth Academy athletes attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

HBCUs have a rich history in the U.S. with a mission to offer students an opportunity to develop their skills and talents, regardless of race. While these universities were established before 1965 to provide higher education and opportunity to Black Americans, in recent years, HBCUs have gained increased attention in college athletics, reaching a record number of student-athlete commitments.

In an interview with MLB.com, Waiters shared her excitement to attend Florida A&M and play a role in the growth of HBCU athletics.

While Grant, Marcellus and Waiters can only anticipate what their experience as a collegiate athlete will bring, former Academy athlete James Malone is currently a freshman at Texas Southern University, an HBCU located in Houston, Texas.

Malone signed to play ball at Texas Southern in 2021 after a successful recruitment process solidified his role on the Tigers' roster. Nearing the end of his first year at Texas Southern, Malone has discovered what it means to attend an HBCU.

“In all honesty, HBCUs weren’t even on my radar coming out of high school,” said Malone. “It was almost like a door opening out of nowhere, which I’m now glad I walked through.

“It’s an amazing experience not only playing sports for an HBCU but to attend the university as a whole. Anyone that’s ever attended one can tell you there’s nothing like it. The culture, the energy and just the overall experience is definitely unmatched.”

Come fall, more than 50 former Youth Academy athletes will be playing baseball and softball at colleges across the U.S., with 14 attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Timothy Grant, Chris Marcellus and Tamya Waiters will join James Malone and others in growing baseball and softball at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy will host a signing day event this summer for all Class of 2022 athletes who will play collegiate baseball and softball, including Grant, Marcellus and Waiters.

Breaking Barriers Essay Contest

The Texas Rangers Youth Academy has encouraged its student-athletes to use their creativity when celebrating Black History Month by participating in Sharon Robinson’s Breaking Barriers Essay Contest. During the month of February, athletes ages 7-18 have submitted essays, poems and illustrations connecting their lives to the legendary Jackie Robinson.

Participants were challenged to recall a time they overcame a barrier by using one or more of Jackie’s nine values: citizenship, commitment, courage, determination, excellence, integrity, justice, persistence and teamwork.

Academy athletes will be able to submit their projects through 11:59 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 28. This year’s winner in each age group will receive a Jackie Robinson Day hat, a copy of Sharon Robinson’s book “A Hero Two Doors Down,” and more.

Major League Baseball and the Texas Rangers Youth Academy will celebrate the 75th anniversary of Jackie Robinson Day, honoring his legacy April 15.

March high school baseball & softball schedule

Below is the schedule of the Pinkston, Sunset and Thomas Jefferson High School baseball and softball games to be played at the Academy in March. Scheduling is subject to change.

Dallas Independent School District high school baseball and softball games to be played at the Texas Rangers Youth Academy in February.