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Our Sports History
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Sports and Games at Holy Cross College

"Age cannot wither nor custom stale the infinite variety of sports and games that continue to hold a prominent place in the field of higher education and provide distinct placement and career opportunities for students."

Slogan:

A sound body alone harbors a sound mind.

History

Holy Cross College proves its credit in the athletic spheres from the day of its inception till date. Since 1936, the Department of Physical Education has found a sound place and made fast development in the college in various sports activities and games. The seeds of sports were sown in 1936 with drills and minor games like Throwball, Tennikoit, etc., while Athletics were foremost.

In 1998, when our Institution completed 75 years of service in the cause of education, a newly measured basketball court — the first of its kind in Tamil Nadu — was constructed in place of the old basketball court. Our College participated in the maximum number of competitions held at the District Level and Inter-Collegiate level and won team championships. Many of our students represented district, division, university, Tamil Nadu, and India for various games and sports.

Vision & Mission

VISION: Strive to excel.

MISSION: To make students experience the magic of sports and to build a healthier and fitter world.

Sports Highlights

Highlights

  • From 2018, we started admitting qualified players under the sports quota, providing free education, accommodation, food, and sports kits. 335 students have studied under this program.
  • We conduct coaching camps with experts and qualified coaches. During coaching camps, a nutritional diet is provided for the players.
  • New sports kits (uniforms, shoes, boots, and sticks) are given to the players.
  • Hostel facilities are provided for the players.
  • Fee concessions are offered to players based on their achievements.
  • Most players have secured government jobs under the sports quota.

Achievements at a Glance

Category Up to 1998 1999 – 2023
International24
National–163
University Players28434
State Level Players23800+
District Players651000+
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Infrastructure & Facilities

Holy Cross College proudly maintains 12 major facilities for:

Athletics, Ball Badminton, Basketball, Fencing, Handball, Kabaddi, Kho-Kho, Netball, Table Tennis, Chess, Badminton, and Volleyball.

In 2019, a Multipurpose Gym was established — a well-equipped fitness space accessible to sports students, staff, and all students of the college.

Sports – A Retrospective View

Even when Holy Cross College was in its infant stage, Physical Education played an important role in the education of women. Mother Sophie, the Foundress, knew from her motherly insight and vast experience that only a sound body could harbor a sound mind and insisted on physical exercise being a part of college education. Sr. Ignatius was the pioneer in that field and made students do various drills and play badminton, the only ladylike game that could be played then. Attendance was compulsory.

From 1936 onwards, drills and minor games were compulsory twice a week, and major games were played every evening. Day students attended twice a week, and hostel students every day. Games like Throwball, Tennikoit, Netball, and Baseball were started. Every year, interclass matches and sports were held, followed by friendly matches with high schools and training departments in town. In 1950, the college broke away from contact with high schools and training schools.

In 1978–79, the college playground was re-laid, as it had been devastated by the floods of November 1977. In 1979–80, class-wise and interdepartmental tournaments and sports were introduced as a regular annual feature (instead of interhouse tournaments). Compulsory regular games for an hour for UG students were introduced. A concrete basketball court was constructed, evolving into a beautiful facility.

In 1982–83, with the start of Bharathidasan University tournaments and sports, we proudly won the overall shield for 16 out of 17 years in the intercollegiate tournament. Every year, 35 players were selected to participate in All India Inter-University Competitions.

The Department of Physical Education has several success stories in its sports and athletic journey during 100 years, celebrating a legacy of excellence in sports and athletics — nurturing strength, spirit, and sisterhood.

Success Stories

Ms. T. Yuvaharini (III-BBA) secured GOLD MEDAL in Otrai Surul Vaal Veechu and BRONZE MEDAL in Kambu Sandai (45 kg) at ASF-5th Asian Silambam Championship, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, 2023.

Ms. T. Yuvaharini (III-BBA) secured GOLD MEDAL in Otrai Surul Vaal Veechu and BRONZE MEDAL in Kambu Sandai (45 kg) at ASF-5th Asian Silambam Championship, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, 2023.

Ms. A. Yamini (I-BCA) secured GOLD MEDAL in Vel Kambu Veechu and SILVER MEDAL in Kambu Sandai (50 kg) at ASF-5th Asian Silambam Championship, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, 2023.

Ms. A. Yamini (I-BCA) secured GOLD MEDAL in Vel Kambu Veechu and SILVER MEDAL in Kambu Sandai (50 kg) at ASF-5th Asian Silambam Championship, Nagercoil, Tamil Nadu, 2023.

Ms. Pennaraci R. (III-BBA) secured WINNERS in Throw Ball Tournament at Nepal International Heroes Games Championship, 2021.

Ms. Pennaraci R. (III-BBA) secured WINNERS in Throw Ball Tournament at Nepal International Heroes Games Championship, 2021.

Ms. A. Kevina Ashwine (III-English) secured SILVER MEDAL in High Jump (1.76m) at All India Inter-University Athletics Tournament, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 2022.

Ms. A. Kevina Ashwine (III-English) secured SILVER MEDAL in High Jump (1.76m) at All India Inter-University Athletics Tournament, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, 2022.

Our college hockey players secured SILVER MEDAL and a ₹75,000 cash award each in the State Level CM Trophy Tournament, 2021.

Our college hockey players secured SILVER MEDAL and a ₹75,000 cash award each in the State Level CM Trophy Tournament, 2021.

Ms. S. Asmitha (III B.Sc Vis Com) & Ms. T. Navinnisha (II B.A. English) secured Runners-up with a ₹5,000 cash award in the 75th Independence Day Open State Level Roller Hockey Tournament, Trichy, 2021.

Ms. S. Asmitha (III B.Sc Vis Com) & Ms. T. Navinnisha (II B.A. English) secured Runners-up with a ₹5,000 cash award in the 75th Independence Day Open State Level Roller Hockey Tournament, Trichy, 2021.

Ms. A. Shalu Rekhana (I-Economics) secured SILVER MEDAL in Discus Throw (36.44m) at the 93rd Tamil Nadu State Senior Athletics Championship, Chennai, 2021.

Ms. A. Shalu Rekhana (I-Economics) secured SILVER MEDAL in Discus Throw (36.44m) at the 93rd Tamil Nadu State Senior Athletics Championship, Chennai, 2021.

Ms. A. Kevina Ashwine (II-English) secured SILVER MEDAL in High Jump at the 18th National Federation Cup Junior (U20) Athletics, Bhopal, 2021.

Ms. A. Kevina Ashwine (II-English) secured SILVER MEDAL in High Jump at the 18th National Federation Cup Junior (U20) Athletics, Bhopal, 2021.

Ms. A. Kevina Ashwine (II-English) secured GOLD MEDAL in High Jump at the South Zone Athletics National Championship, Kozhikode, Kerala, 2021.

Ms. A. Kevina Ashwine (II-English) secured GOLD MEDAL in High Jump at the South Zone Athletics National Championship, Kozhikode, Kerala, 2021.

Ms. S. Asmitha (II B.Sc Vis.Com) and Ms. T. Navinnisha (I B.A. English) won GOLD MEDAL in the 30th State Level Roller Hockey Championship, Trichy, 2021.

Ms. S. Asmitha (II B.Sc Vis.Com) and Ms. T. Navinnisha (I B.A. English) won GOLD MEDAL in the 30th State Level Roller Hockey Championship, Trichy, 2021.

Ms. Shayreen Sulthana (I B.Sc Zoology) and Ms. A. Maria Devotta (II BA English) won BRONZE MEDAL in State Level Fencing (Foil Event), Kanyakumari, 2021.

Ms. Shayreen Sulthana (I B.Sc Zoology) and Ms. A. Maria Devotta (II BA English) won BRONZE MEDAL in State Level Fencing (Foil Event), Kanyakumari, 2021.

Ms. Gomathi Marimuthu, alumna, won 800 Meters GOLD MEDAL at the 23rd Asian Athletics Championship, Doha, Qatar, 2019.

Ms. Gomathi Marimuthu, alumna, won 800 Meters GOLD MEDAL at the 23rd Asian Athletics Championship, Doha, Qatar, 2019.

Ms. Bagyalakshmi (III-B.Com) represented India in the International Invitational Fencing Championship, Thailand, 2019.

Ms. Bagyalakshmi (III-B.Com) represented India in the International Invitational Fencing Championship, Thailand, 2019.

Ms. A. Kevina Ashwine (I-English) secured SILVER MEDAL in High Jump at Khelo India, Guwahati, 2020.

Ms. A. Kevina Ashwine (I-English) secured SILVER MEDAL in High Jump at Khelo India, Guwahati, 2020.

Ms. Naga Priya (I-BBA) secured GOLD MEDAL in Heptathlon and SILVER MEDAL in Triple Jump at South Zone Athletics Championship, Udupi, Karnataka, 2019.

Ms. Naga Priya (I-BBA) secured GOLD MEDAL in Heptathlon and SILVER MEDAL in Triple Jump at South Zone Athletics Championship, Udupi, Karnataka, 2019.

Ms. J. Salomin Reena (III-B.Com) and Ms. M. Karthika (III-BBA) secured GOLD MEDAL in Senior National Kho-Kho Championship, Delhi, 2019.

Ms. J. Salomin Reena (III-B.Com) and Ms. M. Karthika (III-BBA) secured GOLD MEDAL in Senior National Kho-Kho Championship, Delhi, 2019.

Ms. R. Dhivya Dharshini (II B.Com.CA), Ms. C. Varsha (II B.Com), and Ms. R. Abitha (II B.Sc Botany) secured THIRD PLACE in the 13th South Zone National Netball Championship, Andhra Pradesh, 2019.

Ms. R. Dhivya Dharshini (II B.Com.CA), Ms. C. Varsha (II B.Com), and Ms. R. Abitha (II B.Sc Botany) secured THIRD PLACE in the 13th South Zone National Netball Championship, Andhra Pradesh, 2019.

Ms. V. Soundarya (I-Economics) participated in the 4th Hockey India 5-a-Side National Hockey Championship, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 2019.

Ms. V. Soundarya (I-Economics) participated in the 4th Hockey India 5-a-Side National Hockey Championship, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, 2019.

Ms. M. Bagyalakshmi (I-B.Com) secured BRONZE MEDAL in the 25th Junior National Fencing Championship, Bangalore, Karnataka, 2017.

Ms. M. Bagyalakshmi (I-B.Com) secured BRONZE MEDAL in the 25th Junior National Fencing Championship, Bangalore, Karnataka, 2017.

Ms. S. Gayathri (II-History) secured GOLD MEDAL and set a record in Pole Vault at Bharathidasan University Inter-Collegiate Tournament, 2015.

Ms. S. Gayathri (II-History) secured GOLD MEDAL and set a record in Pole Vault at Bharathidasan University Inter-Collegiate Tournament, 2015.

Sports Milestones Timeline

1936
Sports Seeds Sown
The Department of Physical Education began with drills and minor games like Throwball and Tennikoit, with Athletics at the forefront.
1951
Inter-Collegiate Tournaments
Holy Cross College started participating in Inter-Collegiate Tournaments, marking the beginning of competitive sports.
1978
Playground Re-laid
The college playground was re-laid after the devastating floods of 1977, revitalizing sports facilities.
1998
New Basketball Court
A newly measured basketball court, the first of its kind in Tamil Nadu, was constructed during the Platinum Jubilee.
2019
Multipurpose Gym Established
A well-equipped gym was established, accessible to sports students, staff, and all students.
2025
New Indoor Stadium
The facility is designed to host a variety of indoor games including basketball, volleyball, badminton, and table tennis, promoting holistic student development through sports and fitness.