Little is known about the Florida A&M wrestling team, although the team has top-tier talent.
Chemistry professor Thomas White coaches the team. His passion for wrestling comes from being a former student athlete. He loves the idea of giving back to the school he attended and giving Rattlers a chance to become better men and women.
“I came to FAMU in 2000 and realized there was not a wrestling program here,” White said. “Student-based programs like this are needed because not everyone wants to play basketball or football.”
Brandon De Jesus, a second-year biology pre-med student from Jacksonville, said White made it easier for him to adapt to college wrestling.
“When I came over from high school, he made the transition easy for me to adjust and catch on to things quickly,” De Jesus said.
Intramural wrestling is also available to students who attend Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College.
Heavyweight Rickey Carter, a second-year physiology student at TCC, said he enjoys commuting to FAMU to wrestle.
“I love wrestling,” Carter said. “It’s a great way to stay in shape.”
White encourages his students to help with the wrestling team.
Not only is White a teacher and wrestling coach, but his family is deeply rooted in the FAMU community and lifestyle. The university is important to White and his family.
“My grandparents were instrumental in building a Baptist student center in town,” White said. “So I have a long history of people that went to FAMU. My love is here, and my passion is education. That’s one thing that I emphasize with my job here.”
White is also involved in Teaching Our Youth Science, a tutoring organization based on FAMU’s campus. This organization was created in an effort to help the inner city youth of Tallahassee excel in the areas of science and mathematics.
White gives his students the opportunity to participate with the organization for extra credit, but for some students, it goes beyond that.
Tatiana Tilus, a fourth-year biology student from Miami, loves to help improve the lives of her fellow human beings.
“I have been a part of this organization for a year,” Tilus said. “And I enjoy traveling to Bond Elementary to help students with their science projects.”
As White balances his duties of teacher, coach and mentor, he maintains his focus on his involvement in the community.
“I just want all students to succeed and put their education first,” White said.
The wrestling team had an open mat night on Sept. 28 which was open to the community. People from FSU and TCC participated in the event.
The wrestling team’s first meet was Friday at Marion Military Institute.
Chemistry professor Thomas White coaches the team. His passion for wrestling comes from being a former student athlete. He loves the idea of giving back to the school he attended and giving Rattlers a chance to become better men and women.
“I came to FAMU in 2000 and realized there was not a wrestling program here,” White said. “Student-based programs like this are needed because not everyone wants to play basketball or football.”
Brandon De Jesus, a second-year biology pre-med student from Jacksonville, said White made it easier for him to adapt to college wrestling.
“When I came over from high school, he made the transition easy for me to adjust and catch on to things quickly,” De Jesus said.
Intramural wrestling is also available to students who attend Florida State University and Tallahassee Community College.
Heavyweight Rickey Carter, a second-year physiology student at TCC, said he enjoys commuting to FAMU to wrestle.
“I love wrestling,” Carter said. “It’s a great way to stay in shape.”
White encourages his students to help with the wrestling team.
Not only is White a teacher and wrestling coach, but his family is deeply rooted in the FAMU community and lifestyle. The university is important to White and his family.
“My grandparents were instrumental in building a Baptist student center in town,” White said. “So I have a long history of people that went to FAMU. My love is here, and my passion is education. That’s one thing that I emphasize with my job here.”
White is also involved in Teaching Our Youth Science, a tutoring organization based on FAMU’s campus. This organization was created in an effort to help the inner city youth of Tallahassee excel in the areas of science and mathematics.
White gives his students the opportunity to participate with the organization for extra credit, but for some students, it goes beyond that.
Tatiana Tilus, a fourth-year biology student from Miami, loves to help improve the lives of her fellow human beings.
“I have been a part of this organization for a year,” Tilus said. “And I enjoy traveling to Bond Elementary to help students with their science projects.”
As White balances his duties of teacher, coach and mentor, he maintains his focus on his involvement in the community.
“I just want all students to succeed and put their education first,” White said.
The wrestling team had an open mat night on Sept. 28 which was open to the community. People from FSU and TCC participated in the event.
The wrestling team’s first meet was Friday at Marion Military Institute.