Murray State College will have three academic teams competing in the Community College Championship Tournament (CCCT), February 28 – March 1 in Chicago, Illinois.

In January, Murray State’s teams competed at the national sectional tournament hosted by Redlands Community College. Eight teams competed, but only five teams qualified for the CCCT.

“Qualifying for a national tournament is hard enough,” said Tracey Hickman, Murray State College Academic Team Coach. “We add more teams and students to our qualification list each year. It’s a testament to the students we have in this program. We look forward to bringing home another top-four trophy or two to Tishomingo.

Out of 24 teams, Murray State earned the first, fourth and seventh seed going into the CCCT. Murray State’s “A-team” won the sectional, receiving an automatic bid.

“Coach Hickman has done a tremendous job building our team with a mindset to be the best in the field,” said Brandon Bowling, Murray State College Athletic Director. “These young people are driven and committed to being the best, and we look forward to seeing their success.”

The Murray State academic team’s success and growth are a testament to the dedication, resilience and talent of the students and faculty.

“Our students’ strength is reflected in their commitment to excellence, ability to collaborate and push each other to new heights,” said Dr. Tim Faltyn, Murray State College President. “Every achievement is a result of their passion and persistence.”