Handball: A Lifetime Pursuit
Join Chelsea Reber as she welcomes Texas A&M handball icons Donald Johnson and Martin Mulkerrins to explore the rich history and explosive growth of the university's handball program. In this episode, Don Johnson, university first national champion from 1952, shares his journey from the wrestling mat to the handball court and his mission to document the program's century-long legacy. Martin Mulkerrins, an assistant instructional professor and world-class player, discusses the transformative power of recent multi-million dollar endowments and how the program has scaled from two students to nearly 100. We’ll also discuss the unique bridge between academic kinesiology classes and competitive club sports, the role of Irish culture in the sport's global expansion, and why participating in athletics leads to better academic outcomes. Whether you are a student looking for a physical outlet or a sports enthusiast interested in campus traditions, this episode highlights how handball fosters lifelong health and camaraderie. For more information on the Department of Kinesiology and Sport Management, visit us at https://knsm.tamu.edu/. Be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a comment!Host: Chelsea Reber Guests: Martin Mulkerrins - Assistant Instructional Professor | Texas A&MDonald Johnson - Handball Coach | Texas A&MTime Stamps: 00:00 Intro00:54 Donald Johnson’s Handball History04:05 Martin Mulkerrins’ Journey 06:45 Impact of Program Endowments 10:03 Handball as Lifetime Sport 12:48 Student Experience and Camaraderie 15:27 Academic Classes and Clubs 19:47 Building a Winning Future 22:45 The Student Athlete Pitch 25:20 Closing

