Main | Name That Team! »
Go Eagles! Wake Tech Adds Athletics
By Wake Tech Sports | June 17, 2008
Competitive Sports a “Win-Win” for Student Athletes and Fans
RALEIGH, N.C. (February 19, 2008) —
The Wake Tech Board of Trustees today approved a proposal to add competitive athletics to the community college’s programs, starting this fall. The Board’s approval allows Wake Tech to join the National Junior College Athletics Association (NJCAA) as a Division I member of Region 10.
Wake Tech will immediately begin the search for an Athletics Director. The program will begin with women’s volleyball, men’s soccer, and men’s and women’s golf. Soccer is already a campus-wide passion; volleyball and golf classes are offered in Wake Tech’s physical education program. The college will add basketball next year, and softball and baseball the following year.
“Athletics is new territory for us,” said Dr. Stephen Scott, president of Wake Tech, “and one that we’re excited about exploring. We know an athletics program will offer students new opportunities and a richer college experience. It will also build college spirit and bring new community support for Wake Tech.”
The new athletics program is expected to cost about $176,000 the first year. Student fees will be increased from $10 to $20 per semester to cover the cost, as no state funding can be used to support athletics. Wake Tech’s Student Government Association supports the new program and the fee increase it will require. Late last year the SGA asked the Board of Trustees to approve the plan.
“Students are really excited about this!” says Juan Hoyos, Wake Tech Student Government Association president. “Right now, many students come here to get a degree and move on, but athletics will build school pride and generate interest in other campus activities and initiatives. It will add a whole new dimension to college life at Wake Tech,” Hoyos says.
The Chronicle of Higher Education reports that athletic programs have seen a resurgence among the nation’s community colleges, with more than 40 colleges adopting new sports programs since 2004. Nineteen of North Carolina’s 58 community colleges offer competitive sports. In addition to enhancing student life, leaders believe athletics will heighten interest from area athletes, improve student retention rates, foster college spirit, and attract revenue from private sources.
Initially, Wake Tech will rent facilities for practice and games. The Wake Tech Foundation will look for private donors to help pay for future athletic facilities, including new fields at the college’s Northern Wake Campus. Wake Tech has never had a formal athletics department, although the college did sponsor competitive teams in the late 1960s and 1970s, including baseball, softball, basketball, volleyball, golf, and bowling.
Topics: Athletic News Releases |
Comments are closed.