Jag Cheema Inducted into Islanders Athletics Hall of Honor

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi inducted Jag Cheema into the Islanders Athletics Hall of Honor, recognizing his extraordinary impact on Islanders Athletics and his lasting contributions to the university.
 
The Islanders Athletics Hall of Honor celebrates individuals whose leadership, generosity and service have elevated the university's athletic programs and strengthened the Islander legacy. Induction represents one of the highest distinctions awarded by the department.
 
Cheema's connection to the Island dates back more than half a century. In 1965, he joined the tennis program for a season, stepping in when a teammate returned home to compete for the Mexican Davis Cup Team. He went on to graduate from UCC in 1967, becoming the first Indian student to attend and graduate from the university and the only Indian to compete for the tennis program at that time.
 
What began as a brief chapter as a student-athlete evolved into a lifelong commitment to the Islanders.
 
Over the decades, Cheema and his wife, Linda Cheema, have become pillars of support for Islanders Athletics. Their generosity recently helped complete the fully renovated Athletics Field House weight room, a state-of-the-art sports performance facility serving all 16 Islander programs. The expanded and redesigned space features new performance flooring, upgraded lighting and graphics, and a modernized strength training system with custom multifunctional equipment, enhancing development opportunities for current and future student-athletes.
 
In recognition of their transformational gift, the facility was named the Jag and Linda Cheema Sports Performance Facility.
 
In another effort to support the student-athletes, in 2011 they created the Jag and Linda Cheema Endowed Scholarship in Athletics to directly support Islanders student-athletes.
 
The Cheema's impact extends far beyond financial support. Their relationship with Islanders Athletics began through tennis but grew across the entire department. Known for opening their home to student-athletes, they have provided mentorship, encouragement and a sense of family to countless Islanders over the years. Those bonds have endured well beyond graduation — carrying across competitions, weddings and milestones around the world — a testament to the lasting relationships they have built.
 
Cheema was formally inducted during a special ceremony on Friday, Feb. 27, where family, friends, university leadership and members of the Islanders community gathered to celebrate his achievements and enduring service.
 
For more information about the Hall of Honor and Islanders Athletics, visit GoIslanders.com.
 
#ShakasUp