Chris Mudge says Sam Houston basketball is building a deeper community connection

The Bearkats open their 2026-27 season at Alabama on Nov. 3 after a summer focused on recruiting, fan access and player development.

HUNTSVILLE, Texas. Sam Houston men’s basketball coach Chris Mudge says the Bearkats are preparing for a Nov. 3 season opener at Alabama while continuing to build a program that reaches beyond Johnson Coliseum and into Huntsville schools, youth groups and family events.

Mudge described a fall schedule that will pair on-court preparation with public events designed to help residents meet players and learn more about the program. The Bearkats’ first home game is planned for the weekend after the Alabama opener.

The approach reflects Mudge’s view that a college program’s work includes more than its record. He said the staff wants players to recognize that how they engage with children and families can leave a lasting impression in the community.

A program shaped by Huntsville

Mudge has spent 17 years at Sam Houston and said he and his family have made Huntsville their home. He described the university and city as places that have grown together, bringing more families and students to the area while maintaining the personal relationships that draw people to campus.

He said Sam Houston’s culture is a central reason coaches and staff stay connected to the institution. Mudge said the university is a place where people are expected to know one another and help students grow as people as well as athletes.

“The thing that’s special about Sam Houston is the people,” Mudge said. “It’s the culture and it’s that they care.”

That emphasis shapes how the basketball program approaches recruiting and player development. Mudge said the staff wants athletes who can compete at the Conference USA level while also representing the university well when they meet residents, attend youth events or visit local schools.

Open practices and fall events

The team recently held an open practice and a Chalk Talk event that brought families into the program’s preparation. Mudge said a few hundred children attended the open practice, giving players a chance to interact with young fans on the court after drills.

“Your energy is your first impression,” Mudge said of the message he gives players. “We try to get in the community because impact is what we’re trying to do.”

He said the program also uses High Five Fridays at schools and visits with organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club. Those appearances give players a chance to meet children who may later return to games with their families.

Mudge said the program intends to continue that outreach through Bearkat Madness, with a date still to be announced.

Oct. 9 fundraisers support player programs

Mudge also outlined two Oct. 9 fundraising events that will give supporters a way to meet program representatives before the season begins. A golf tournament is scheduled at the Bearkat Course, followed by a casino night at the Walker County Education Center.

The events are designed to involve alumni, fans and Huntsville residents in programs that support players away from competition. Mudge said proceeds support scholarships, nutrition and education for players.

He said the staff also connects players with information about saving, investing and other parts of life after college. That instruction is part of the program’s player development work.

Mudge did not announce registration details during the discussion.

For information on the upcoming events, visit the link below:

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A wider Conference USA stage

Sam Houston’s move through the Southland Conference, the Western Athletic Conference and Conference USA has changed where the Bearkats travel and recruit. Mudge said the current conference footprint gives the team exposure in markets across the country and creates more opportunities for prospective players to see Sam Houston compete against established Division I programs.

He said the conference transition has also changed the local fan experience. Renovations at Johnson Coliseum, including seating behind the benches, have brought spectators closer to the court and helped create a more active game environment.

The coach said he hopes fans will see the team as accessible. Basketball games offer a short indoor event, and players regularly meet with children and families afterward. That interaction, he said, is part of what makes college basketball a practical community gathering point.

The Nov. 3 Alabama game will give the Bearkats an early road test before the team returns to Huntsville for its home opener. Mudge said the staff’s goal is to build a team whose style is energetic and whose players are visible in the community throughout the season.

The wider Conference USA schedule also gives recruits and fans opportunities to see the Bearkats face established Division I programs. Mudge said the team still needs a strong base of support when it returns to Huntsville from those trips.

The coach described games as short indoor gatherings where fans can see players up close and often meet them afterward. The program plans to continue that access through practices, school visits and regular-season games.

Sam Houston’s first home game follows the Alabama trip.

Watch the full interview on "Good Morning Huntsville" with Coach Mudge below.

2026-27 Sam Houston Men's Basketball Schedule