CJ Upchurch

CJ Upchurch is a proud TSD alumnus who joined the athletics department in 2023. He oversees all sporting and tournament events on campus, coordinating activities for sports from elementary through high school. In addition to managing athletics’ public relations, he also supervises the weight room.

A true Texan at heart, CJ was born and raised in Texas and is an avid Longhorn fan. After graduating from TSD in 2016, he went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Business with a focus on Marketing and Management from Gallaudet University in 2022. During his time at Gallaudet, CJ served as a student-assistant coach for the women’s volleyball team, leading them to NCAA playoff appearances in 2016 and 2021. He also contributed as a team manager for the USA Deaf women’s volleyball team, which won Gold at the PanAm Games in Brazil in 2019.

Currently, CJ is a setter on the USA Deaf Men’s Volleyball National Team and competed in the World Deaf Volleyball Championship in Japan in 2024, where the team placed 4th in the world. He also serves as a board member for USA Deaf Volleyball, focusing on youth volleyball programs, and is the head coach of the TSD Varsity volleyball team.

Outside of his professional commitments, CJ enjoys outdoor activities, especially those related to water, such as stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and swimming. He also loves spending time with his dog, Shadow.